Southeastern to Host Ashford Train Depot Open Day for Railway 200 Celebration
Southeastern is opening the gates of its Ashford Train Maintenance Centre on Sunday, August 24 as part of the Railway 200 celebration — a nationwide event commemorating 200 years of passenger rail in the UK.
The one-day rail depot open event offers railway fans, families, and jobseekers a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes at one of the South East’s busiest and most vital train maintenance hubs.
Depot Manager Jim Shead said:
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work which goes on behind the scenes at Ashford every single day.
This open day is a fantastic opportunity to show what it takes to keep delivering a reliable service for our customers, and to inspire the next generation of railway workers.”
Trains, Steam Engines & Model Exhibits
Visitors can expect to explore:
- A walk-through of Southeastern’s maintenance shed, featuring:
- The Railway 200 liveried train
- Class 395 ‘Javelin’
- Network SouthEast Networker
- A wide-ranging outdoor display of heritage and specialist locomotives, including:
Rail history buffs will also enjoy heritage exhibitions and presentations showcasing two centuries of British railway history.
Careers, Family Fun, and Community Safety
The open day aims to celebrate the railway and its future, with:
- Southeastern recruitment team on site to discuss career opportunities
- Safeguarding and safety teams explaining their role in daily operations
- Kent Fire & Rescue Service attending for public engagement
- A Hornby display featuring the Railway 200 high-speed model
- Model railway setups courtesy of AIMREC
- Special guests from Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and Kent & East Sussex Railway
- Miniature roundabout rides and interactive family-friendly activities
- Motorsport meet-and-greet with Southeastern driver and Porsche racer Toby Trice
Accessibility, Travel & Tickets
- The event runs from 10am to 4pm at Ashford Train Maintenance Centre.
- Visitors are strongly encouraged to arrive by train at Ashford International; the depot is a short walk away.
- No general car parking is available; limited accessible parking offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Due to the depot’s operational nature, full accessibility cannot be guaranteed.
Tickets & Charity Support
While ticket prices apply, Southeastern confirmed it will not profit from the event. Proceeds will go toward costs, with remaining funds donated to five Railway 200 charities:
- Alzheimer’s Research UK
- Railway Benefit Fund
- Railway Children
- Railway Mission
- Transport Benevolent Fund CIO
With limited tickets available, visitors are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.