The station was originally opened as Tenterden but was renamed Rolvenden in 1903[1] when the current Tenterden Town station opened. The name Rolvenden is not really appropriate, the station is 2 miles from the village and is closer to Tenterden. When Colonel Stephens first opened the railway Rolvenden served as his locomotive workshop in a similar capacity to today. However the limited machinery and space meant during the 1930s it became harder to overhaul the line's ageing fleet. Most engines were sent to Ashford works to be overhauled. The locomotive shed and passenger station closed in 1954[2][3] and both were subsequently demolished. Freight services continued until 1961.
After British Railways closed the railway the site of the original locomotive shed was sold for light industrial buildings.
Heritage Railway Society history
The Kent and East Sussex Railway built a new locomotive shed on the other side of the line from the original. Currently the station is home to the Kent and East Sussex Railway's loco department who are responsible for the restoration and maintenance of steam engines owned by the railway. The loco department is one of the most crucial contributors to the railway's success. The site consists of a two track shed which has enough space for around 4 locomotives. The railway also owns the field next to it and has plans to use at least part of it as a car park. Rolvenden is also the coaling depot and this is where all the locomotives are prepared for a day's work. It now has a signal box, water tower and passing loop. The station was rebuilt when the line reopened in 1974.
Number 24 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Rolvenden'. Sold, no longer at the railway
Number 25 Standard War Department 0-6-0ST 'Northiam'. In Service
Number 30 GWR 1600 Class 0-6-0PT no. 1638. At Leaky Finders for overhaul.
Number 1 No. 1 Thomas the Tank Engine. In service. The railway had loaned a loco for its annual Thomas & Friends events. No longer visiting.
Number N/A Merioneth and Llantisilly Rail Traction Company Limited Ivor the Engine 0-4-0T. Loaned for the yearly Ivor the Engine Weekends. Has the strange award of being the last engine to be overhauled at Swindon Works, before closure. No longer visiting.
Number 4253 GWR 42xx Class 0-8-0T Later stage over overhaul.
Number 6619 GWR 66xx Class 0-6-2T Pending major overhaul
^Quick, M. E. (2002). Railway passenger stations in England, Scotland and Wales – a chronology. Richmond: Railway and Canal Historical Society. p. 366. OCLC931112387.
