East Malling
Four decades separate
the opening of the Otford to Maidstone line and the rather unassuming site at
East Malling. When the ''Sevenoaks, Maidstone & Tunbridge Railway’s’’ extension
to the county town came into use on 1st June 1874, the platforms of Malling were
deemed satisfactory to serve the rural surroundings. However, after the
formation of the SE&CR in 1899, numerous economical station affairs began to
appear on the network in areas which, hitherto, were not on the passenger
timetable. Halts, which were generally provided with the minimum of facilities,
became increasingly common in those areas where the SE&CR faced road and tramway
competition. Providing additional stations of an economical nature also formed
part of this company's endeavour to increase its local rail traffic levels.
In 1913, a two-platform layout was established along the Otford to Maidstone
line to serve the small community of East Malling: this was despite the fact
that the existing Malling station was a mere mile westwards. Passengers using
the then new site were not to be greeted by gabled pitched roofs, attractive red
brick, or a graceful platform canopy, these being features of the nearby 1874
site. Rather, ‘’East Malling Halt’’, as it was known from the outset, was a
conservative effort fabricated wholly of timber. Whilst its basic design
reflected the SE&CR’s general policy towards small, latterly-conceived station
stops, the halt’s layout is equally attributed to the nature of the terrain. The
presence of an embankment required the platforms to be supported by a series of
wooden struts driven into the earth, bringing the walking surface above the
level of the running lines. The elevated site was reached via a wooden staircase
on either side of the tracks, these again resting upon struts. Both ‘’up’’ and
‘’down’’ sides were provided with more than adequate waiting accommodation,
particularly in light of the
traffic handled here. Each platform was host to an enclosed timber waiting
shelter, complete with glazing and upward-slanting roofs. These were at least
sympathetic in appearance to the earlier shelter-type structures erected by the
original Sevenoaks Railway Company, of which those at Eynsford, Bat & Ball, and
Barming still exist as fine examples.
Although the site has never (and unsurprisingly) been host to additional sidings
or a signal box, the station has nevertheless witnessed considerable change
since its inception. The line was electrified as far as Maidstone East on 2nd
July 1939, but the first significant alterations to the halt appear to have
coincided with the Kent Coast Electrification works undertaken between 1959 and
1962. During this period, the platforms were rebuilt in prefabricated concrete form,
using cast components. The wooden staircases were also replaced with concrete
equivalents at the same time. Thereafter, the station soldiered on,
retaining its key features of the SE&CR era – this would all change under
Network SouthEast auspices. Despite escaping the dreadful CLASP rebuilding
schemes of the late 1960s / early 1970s, East Malling was to be the subject - if
only partially - of a
new wave of ‘’modernisation’’ policy. Circa 1988 onwards, curved bus shelters
began arriving at stations in force, replacing traditional wooden structures which were, in
many cases, still in good condition. During 1993, East Malling lost its original
''down'' side
timber shelter of 1913 origin, only to have it replaced by the aforementioned
featureless waiting accommodation. During April 2007, this same bus shelter, now
vandalised, was removed from the platform and placed on an elevated wooden
scaffolding surface behind the concrete platform face.
The prefabricated concrete staircase of the ''up'' platform is observed on a somewhat wet 13th
May 2007. This view shows to good effect the elevated position of the platforms. The station's
remaining timber shelter can be seen emerging from behind the trees. David Glasspool
A westward view on 13th May 2007 reveals the prefabricated concrete surfaces of the Kent Coast
Electrification era and, on the ''up'' platform, the large timber waiting shelter. The latter wears blue
on its façade, this colour having been applied in 2004. On the ''down'' platform, metal fencing can
just be seen emerging in the background. Behind this, on the right and out of view, is the stricken
bus shelter. David Glasspool
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