Step Behind the Scenes: Southeastern's Exclusive Railway 200 Depot Open Day
- Celebrate 200 years of railway history – Southeastern is opening the doors to Ashford Train Maintenance Centre for an exclusive behind-the-scenes open day
- Go where the public never goes – our engineering team will guide train enthusiasts of all ages through one of the region's largest and most impressive train depots
- Sunday 24th August – tickets go on sale soon, so don't miss your chance to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event!
To celebrate 200 years of the passenger railway in the UK; Southeastern is opening the doors to their train maintenance depot in Ashford for one very special day.
This unique event, hosted by the Southeastern engineering team, will take train enthusiasts of all ages behind the scenes of one of the largest railway depots in the region.
Meet the People Behind the Railway
Guests will have the opportunity to meet people who work in a variety of roles at Southeastern and across the wider rail industry – from engineers and drivers to safety specialists and infrastructure experts.
Get Up Close with Incredible Trains
Of course, there are also exceptional opportunities to get up close with a stunning range of trains from both today and yesterday!
Visitors can walk through the maintenance shed and see a variety of Southeastern trains, including the special Railway 200 Class 395 'Javelin' train – 395015.
From there, visitors can continue outside into the operational yard to see a fantastic selection of heritage trains, including:
- Clan Line steam engine
- MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)
- Unit 1001 Hastings Diesel 'Thumper'
- Balfour Beatty 'Tiny Tamper'
- Class 73 GBRF locomotive
- Class 66 GBRF locomotive
- Bluebell Fenchurch locomotive
All trains are subject to availability and may change before the event.
Discover 200 Years of Railway Heritage
It's not just about the trains – a host of stands will tell the incredible story of 200 years of railway history.
The Southeastern Recruitment Team will be available to showcase the fantastic and varied career opportunities available, perfect for those considering joining the railway industry.
Colleagues from Network Rail will also be on hand to explain how they manage, maintain and repair the infrastructure that keeps services moving, day in and day out.
British Transport Police will be available to provide insights into their vital work keeping our railways safe – alongside the Southeastern Safeguarding Team and the Network Rail Margate Safety Team.
A special Hornby stand will be available throughout the day, giving visitors the opportunity to browse and purchase from their extensive range of model trains, including the special Railway 200 high-speed train.
Why not also take the opportunity to check out the incredible AIMREC Model Railway and meet the passionate teams who run the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and the Kent and East Sussex Railway.
Those who feel the need for speed can meet Southeastern employee and racing driver Toby Trice and see his Porsche Cayman.
Fun for All the Family
Last but not least, there's plenty to keep the kids entertained – including a roundabout ride, a miniature train, and the chance to see a selection of working diggers in action.
Tickets go on sale soon – keep an eye on this page and Southeastern's social media feeds for all the latest information and booking details.