Charing
Charing changed little under SR ownership; minor alterations included the
modification of the existing Victorian diamond-shaped lamppost heads. These were
replaced with Swan Neck examples, but the original Barley Twist wrought-iron posts retained. Indeed, during the majority of the SR’s existence, modernisation of
the South Eastern section was generally concentrated on the ex-SE&CR suburban
lines. This primarily involved route electrification of the ‘’commuter’’
network, and under SR auspices, third rail reached as far into Kent as Sevenoaks,
Maidstone, and Gillingham. Thus, it was under British Railways ownership that
layout rationalisation, in addition to service improvement, occurred. The Kent
Coast Electrification sought to widen the scope of the third rail laid during
the SR’s suburban modernisation programme. During 1961, this was extended from
Maidstone, through to Ashford, a limited electric service commencing over the
whole extent of the ex-LC&DR route on 9th October of that year. The full
electric timetable came into use on 18th June of the following year, coinciding
with complete electric running on the ex-SER trunk line via Tonbridge. The
advent of third rail in 1961 led to the track foot crossing at Charing being
made redundant: an Exmouth Junction-manufactured prefabricated concrete
footbridge was brought into use to the immediate west of the main station
building.
Steam may have gone, but goods traffic at Charing continued to be handled, such
facilities not going out of use until 16th May 1964. Furthermore, most of the
line escaped having its original signalling replaced during the 1961 scheme –
only Lenham lost its original Saxby & Farmer cabin to a ‘’power box’’ (although
Harrietsham’s cabin would later be decommissioned in 1972). Lenham’s power box
had been installed to control a revised layout, which now included an
electrified loop through the former goods yard area to permit ‘’fast’’ services
to overtake stopping trains stabled in the ‘’down’’ platform. Semaphore signals
were retained throughout, but such was set to change in 1984. During this year,
the scope of the Maidstone East Panel was increased. At this time there were
four Saxby & Farmer cabins remaining in use: Bearsted, Hollingbourne, Charing,
and Hothfield. On 14th April 1984, all except one of these signal boxes went out
of use. Hothfield, which had lost its station in 1959, retained its cabin for
nearly a year longer, it being decommissioned as a ground frame in February
1985. It would appear to be during this period that Charing’s waiting shelter
lost its glazing, the window arches subsequently being bricked up.
During 1991, the line via Maidstone East was prepared for taking Channel Tunnel
freight services. These incorporated oversized container vehicles which were too
large to fit under existing arched bridges, in addition to being prone to
hitting platform structures. Consequently, several bridges witnessed their
arches rebuilt to a wider profile, complete with a concrete lining. Furthermore,
a number of platform canopies – including that of the waiting shelter at Charing
– had chunks cut out to accommodate the larger vehicles. There have been further
changes to the site since. Circa the year 2000, Charing was reacquainted with
some past Victorian charm: traditional diamond-shaped lanterns were installed
along the platforms, treated with an attractive coat of black paint. It is worth
noting that these are nearly twice the height of their LC&DR predecessors, and
examples are attached to the platform-facing elevation of the main building, in
addition to featuring upon the concrete footbridge.
19th April 2007
A westward view from the road bridge on 19th April 2007 shows the vacant land behind the ''up'' platform which
was once host to a lengthy refuge siding. The goods yard formerly occupied the land on the right, beyond the station
building, marked by the trees. David Glasspool
19th April 2007
An eastward view from the footbridge steps on 19th April 2007 shows Class 375 No. 375816, immediately after
passengers had disembarked, waiting for the ''off'' to Ashford. This scene affords a close look at the attractive
lanterns, and also reveals the rebuilt bridge arch, this having been done to allow the passage of oversized container
vehicles on Channel Tunnel freight workings. David Glasspool
The façade is viewed on 19th April 2007, presenting a spruce and clean appearance. The structure is a slightly
more substantial red-brick version of the main building at Sevenoaks Bat & Ball. Note on the extreme left the
small pitched-roof appendix of the station building. This appears to be a common LC&DR feature. Indeed,
Charing's plainer cousins on ''Chatham'' main line at Sole Street and Adisham (to name but two) share this
characteristic. The trees and shrubs on the right mark the former goods yard site, this now acting as a garden.
David Glasspool
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