Unused equipment to be donated to heritage railway

East Kent Railway runs heritage trains between Shepherdswell and Eythorne

Redundant railway equipment and materials from a mainline network are to be donated to a heritage railway.

The agreement between South Eastern Railway and volunteer-led East Kent Railway is aimed at working towards reestablishing freight trains on the heritage railway for the first time since 1987.

It is the first scheme of its kind in Kent, according to Network Rail.

David Davidson, chief operating officer for the South Eastern Railway, said he was "excited about the possibilities" that the agreement could being, as well as the "potential to support economic growth in East Kent".

He added: "Wherever we can, we will work with heritage railways across our network to forge a new partnership so that materials that would otherwise be recycled elsewhere to be re-used can find a new purpose."

East Kent Railway runs heritage trains on a four-mile (6.4km) round trip between Shepherdswell and Eythorne.

The donated railway materials will include rails and sleepers, as well as other items no longer needed for the mainline railway.

In return, East Kent Railway will provide South Eastern Railway with the use of its facilities, such as for training.

Under the agreement, both organisations will also work together to explore opportunities for the reestablishment of commercial freight traffic over the East Kent Railway.

Matthew Plews, general manager of the East Kent Railway Trust, said: "This agreement provides a framework for a deeper collaboration which will benefit us both, both in the short term and into the future."