Last week, a group of six heritage railways in the south of England held its second meeting at the Kent & East Sussex Railway at Tenterden in Kent.

The group, which is titled “The Southern Six”, comprises:

• The Bluebell Railway
• The Kent & East Sussex Railway
• The Mid Hants Railway
• The Spa Valley Railway
• The Isle of Wight Steam Railway
• The Swanage Railway

The aim of the group is to promote cooperation and solidarity between each of the railways by becoming a strong and united group.

With the current economic problems and ever-increasing demands on the heritage industry, this alliance aims to generate solutions and implement those ideas. The group hopes that by adopting a united approach, it will be able to achieve the best possible results for all of the railways in the group.

After their meeting, the group members agreed that it had been very positive and constructive., and there was much debate and discussion on the direction that each railway should take as part of the collective. It was agreed that the members should execute strategies and methods designed to meet the challenges that all railways are currently facing now and in the future.

The group aims to hold further meetings every two months, especially as the positive feedback and outcome from the last two meetings have provided the group with the will to further strengthen their ties.

As a group, The Southern Six will provide the necessary platform that is needed for the support, guidance, and debate that will benefit each member, and look forward to the demands the industry is currently facing.