The Kent & East Sussex Railway was the first to be authorised under the Light Railways Act of 1896. As such it is of unique heritage importance; an exemplar of the construction and operation of a light railway and rich in social history given its use in agriculture and for the annual descent of hop-pickers to gather the harvest. As an educational charity we preserve, restore and operate the railway as a community exhibition and museum for the advancement of technical, historical and general education and for the permanent preservation, display and demonstration of steam plus other railway locomotives, equipment and relics of historical interest and educational value. We are home to the Colonel Stephens Railway Museum, the national collection recording the career of the promoter and manager of this line and fifteen other light railways from Shropshire to the Welsh Highlands and across the South of England. The Railway operates thanks to over 450 volunteers who give freely of their time to allow visitors to experience a heritage line in action. Our vision is to preserve our Railway as living history, making memories that matter.