Ratings

Buggy - pushchairs can be accommodated on the train, but would normally need to be folded.
Carrier - quite possible to use a carrier to get onto and off the train, though there is a distinct step to get from platform to carriage.
Walking - while the general grounds are untidy, the paths are all pretty good and even.
Wheelchair - the site is generally wheelchair friendly, unfortunately access to the train itself isn't. See the SKLR access statement for further info.

Things to note

This is a small site, run exclusively by volunteers and can look a little untidy.

Steam trains can be a bit noisy - specially when blowing their whistle, so this should be taken into account for people who may be noise averse or sensitive.

Sittingbourne Viaduct station can be found at Postcode ME10 2XD, where there is car parking. There is also parking behind KFC, with step free access to the station, entrance next to the skatepark.

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway

This is one of those attractions that is quite easy to miss, unless you know it is there. With the station tucked away on a trading estate, behind KFC it is very easy to miss...

SKLR, as it likes to be known has a rich history. The railway was previously used to transport the raw goods for 2 of Sittingbourne's main employers, the paper mills, one Mill in Sittingbourne itself, and the other at Kemsley, 2 miles down the line! Today these are the two stations on the SKLR, Sittingbourne Viaduct and Kemsley Down Halt. There was a third stop, Asda Halt (yes the supermarket), but this has been closed for some time now due to vandalism!

The first thing that should be noted when visiting SKLR is that the whole site is staffed by volunteers. It is quite pleasing to see that there is a mix of young and old volunteers, although save for shop and café staff it did appear a largely male domain!

As such the volunteers do a fantastic job, with limited resources and finances - but, and there's always a but isn't there? The whole site does look rather run-down and tatty!

If you can look past this and try and see the railway for what it is, a bit of living history, then you'll be fine.

The carriages are quite difficult to get into, particularly if you have mobility issues. The SKLR Access statement indicates they are working on trying to change the layout of the platform at Sittingbourne Viaduct, to enable ramped access to the carriages, something, which as present isn't possible! As already mentioned, this is an attraction with limited resources, so I think this work may be some way off yet.

The ride lasts about 20 minutes and takes you through quite a bit of Sittingbourne's industrial area of town, before passing the town tip and finally though Kemsley country park before reaching Kemsley Down Halt.

It's definitely not the most scenic rail journey I've ever been on, but the kids appear to enjoy it, which is, as always, the main consideration.

Kemsley Down Halt has the appearance of a steam engine graveyard, with lots of "bits" of steam trains, in various states of repair or rust! There is a café here, a small shop and a toilet block, including disabled and baby change.

There is no vehicular access to Kemsley Down Halt, so it's either a case of walk back into town, via the Saxon Shore walk or if you've bought a return ticket, get the train back to Sittingbourne Viaduct.