Kent Rail

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This website was last updated on 13th July 2008

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Welcome to Kent Rail. This website aims to look at the railways of Kent and the general South Eastern Division from a historical perspective, mainly concentrating on the development of infrastructure (stations and actual routes), locomotives and rolling stock in the region. Where possible, period pictures will be included, but naturally, most content on the website at time of typing dates from more recent times. History of the motive power which has served the lines of the South Eastern Division is included where possible, with the steam traction section still very much in its infancy. This website is neither a definitive guide nor a highly detailed encyclopaedia, but will hopefully develop into a useful source of information. The website is historically-focused rather than technically geared, but the latter is most certainly included in its fundamental form within sections which it is deemed necessary. Some pictures on here are better in quality than others, but they all contribute to giving a good impression of the Kent railway scene. There is still plenty more detail and information to add to existing sections, something which will be done when it is unearthed. I hope you enjoy browsing through this website as much as I have enjoyed putting it together. David Glasspool

Infrastructure

Kent & South Eastern Division Infrastructure Index: Pictures and information of railway infrastructure which is located within Kent and the general area of the South Eastern Division (including London terminals)
Channel Tunnel Infrastructure Index: An index concentrating on the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel network, Britain's newest railway. Also remembering the old slogan: Sink the Link.

Motive Power

Kent & South Eastern Division Motive Power Index

Pictures and information of those types which have served within Kent and the general area of the South Eastern Division

South Eastern Division Maps

A Map of Kent & the South Eastern Division

Including parts of the London, Tilbury & Southend Railway and the Central Division

A Map of the South Eastern Division's London Suburbs

Including part of the Central Division

A Map of the North Kent Line: Dartford to Gravesend Central

Including industrial lines, the CTRL, and part of the Gravesend West branch

A Map of the Medway Valley Line: Strood to Paddock Wood

Including part of the Maidstone East Line, the CTRL, and the ''Chatham'' main line

A Map of the Isle of Sheppey & the Hoo Peninsula

Including sections of the North Kent & Medway Valley Lines, the CTRL, and the LT&SR

Crashing through the engine shed at Tunbridge Wells West!

This year marks:

150 years since the opening of the East Kent Railway: Faversham to Chatham

140th anniversary of the SER's Tonbridge cut-off line

130th anniversary of the Bromley North branch

100th anniversary of Stone Crossing Halt

75 years since the opening of Hither Green Depot

80 years of the Southern Railway's Hoo Junction Yard

40 years since the complete closure of the Gravesend West branch

Special Features

CTRL Section 2: Driver Training: A couple of views depicting driver training through Ebbsfleet International, before the formal start of scheduled services.
CTRL Section 2: Record Run of 4/09/2007: Historic high-speed press run from Paris Gare du Nord to St Pancras.
Gravesend Town Pier: The world's oldest cast-iron pier, first opened in 1834 and the Gravesend ''terminus'' for the London Tilbury & Southend Railway from 1854.
Kent Rail Rover: Unlimited off-peak travel across the majority of the Kent rail network.
Network SouthEast: A worthy celebration of this renowned British Rail Business Sector.
- Class 50: From Midland to Southern Region - the career of the Class 50.
- Class 159: Network SouthEast's answer to modernisation of the Waterloo to Exeter route via Salisbury.
- Class 442: The renaissance of rail travel between Waterloo and Weymouth, and a project instigated by the London & SouthEast sector.
North Downs Steam Railway: From Stone to Spa Valley, the North Downs Steam Railway story.
Railfreight Distribution: British Rail's last Business Sector.
Vickers Crayford: A look at the remains of the company's single-track line which linked its Crayford premises with factories on Thames Road.
Visitors to the South Eastern Division: A pictorial section looking at motive power which is off its main stomping ground and instead paying the South Eastern Division a visit. Channel Tunnel works are included.

Events

London & Greenwich Railway 150th Anniversary: Photographs and information on this special event on 23rd & 24th August 1986, organised by British Rail's Southern Region, featuring stock of the newly-formed Network SouthEast sector and locomotives provided by Railfreight, in addition to traction of preservation groups.
London Bridge Station Exhibition 1988: Photographs and information on this special event organised by the Network SouthEast Business Sector over 27th & 28th August 1988, with help and assistance from British Rail's Southern Region and the TrainLoad freight sectors.
Network's Easter Parade 1991: Photographs and information on this special event at London Bridge Station, organised by Network SouthEast and the Southern Electric Group over 30th & 31st March 1991, with help and assistance from British Rail's Southern Region (then soon to be disbanded) and the TrainLoad freight sectors.

Preserved Railways

A general look at the preserved railways of Kent. Please note that opinions in these sections are those of the author, therefore may not reflect the general consensus.

East Kent Railway: Shepherdswell to Eythorne
Kent & East Sussex Railway: Tenterden to Bodiam
Spa Valley Railway: Tunbridge Wells West to Groombridge

Guest Locations

Brighton: The main ''country end'' terminus of the Central Division
Crewkerne: An attractive station on the LSWR's Salisbury to Exeter line which, like Yeovil Junction, fell foul to Western Region degrading
London Paddington: The terminus and home of the Great Western Railway - fourth trainshed span saved from demolition
St James Park: The LSWR's answer to tramway competition in the south west
Yeovil Junction: A once busy station on the LSWR's main line to Exeter, which fell foul to Western Region degrading

The Webmaster of this site is David Glasspool. Please forward any comments to David

Website written and compiled by David Glasspool, with invaluable assistance from Mike Glasspool

Thank you to the following who have very kindly submitted information/material for use on the website:

Shane Bailey; Bryan Benn; Tom Burnham; Darren Cafferty; Derek Chard; Ian Dudley; Colin Duff; Peter Dunne; Raymond Fuell; Paul Gould; Peter Greenhow; Keith Gunner; Ted Hamer; Chris Hicks; John Horton; Dave Humphries; Andre Kent; Stuart Marshall; Colin Martin; Phil Nicholson; Tony Parker; Graham Powell; Clive Standen; David Walsh

Disclaimer: All information on these pages has been provided in good faith. However, I cannot be held responsible for any information which is inaccurate or out of date. Information may be controversial or offensive to yourself and others.

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