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{{Sandgate Branch}} {{Sandgate Branch}}
The Sandgate branch was a three mile long railway branch line that ran from ] in Kent on the ] to ] and ] railway stations. It opened in 1874 and closed completely in 1951.{{Citation needed}} The '''Sandgate branch''' was a three mile long railway branch line that ran from ] in Kent on the ] to ] and ] railway stations. It opened in 1874 and closed completely in 1951.


==History== ==History==
===Opening===
⚫ The line opened in 1874, and for the first few years trains ran to and from ] on the main line, then in 1888 ] opened with four platforms, two for the main line and two for the branch.


===Traffic===
⚫ The line opened in 1874, and for the first few years trains ran to and from ] on the main line, then in 1888 ] opened with four platforms, two for the main line and two for the branch.{{Citation needed}}
Usage was always light, possibly because of the distance of the two stations from the populations they served. The ] was built to try improve connections.


===Proposed extension===
⚫ Usage was always light, possibly because of the position of the two stations away from the populations they served.{{Dubious}}A horse drawn tramline was built to try improve connections. In 1931 Sandgate station was closed and the remaining line between Sandling and Hythe singled. The line was closed briefly in 1943 to reopen in 1945 with two trains a day each way. The last train ran between Hythe and Sandling on 3 December 1951 and Sandling Junction was renamed Sandling.{{Citation needed}}
⚫ The line was planned to provide a new route to the continent with a proposed extension through to Folkestone Harbour. Although parliamentary consent for the extension was granted in 1876 it was never built.<ref>Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p36</ref>

⚫ The line was planned to provide a new route to the continent with a proposed extension through to Folkestone Harbour. Although parliamentary consent for the extension was granted in 1876 it was never built<ref>Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p36</ref>.

Almost the entire route from Sandling to Hythe remains intact (but with track lifted) including cuttings and embankments (though not bridges). However, a key obstacle to an enthusiasts group considering re-opening the line in the 1980s was the fact that the Saltwood Woods tunnel, and part of its cutting to the south of the tunnel, have been partially infilled{{By whom}} with refuse.{{Citation needed}}


===Closure===
⚫ In 1931 Sandgate station was closed and the remaining line between Sandling and Hythe singled. The line was closed briefly in 1943 to reopen in 1945 with two trains a day each way. The last train ran between Hythe and Sandling on 3 December 1951 and Sandling Junction was renamed Sandling for Hythe.


==The route today==
As at 2012 the route from Sandling to Hayne Tunnel is now a public footpath (Elham Valley Way). Hayne Tunnel is still in situ but the tunnel is now flooded up to several feet deep because part of its cutting to the south of the tunnel has been partially in filled with refuse. At the site of Hythe Station and around Seabrook there are many houses built onto the old railway embankment. Between Hythe and Sandgate short sections of infrastructure were still visible (in 2012) including some bridges still in situ.


==References== ==References==
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* Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p35-41 * Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p35-41


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Latest revision as of 01:42, 3 April 2018

Sandgate Branch
Legend
South Eastern Main Line
to Ashford International
Sandling
South Eastern Main Line
to Dover Priory
Hayne Tunnel
Hythe
Sandgate

The Sandgate branch was a three mile long railway branch line that ran from Sandling railway station in Kent on the South Eastern Main Line to Hythe and Sandgate railway stations. It opened in 1874 and closed completely in 1951.

History

Opening

The line opened in 1874, and for the first few years trains ran to and from Westenhanger railway station on the main line, then in 1888 Sandling Junction opened with four platforms, two for the main line and two for the branch.

Traffic

Usage was always light, possibly because of the distance of the two stations from the populations they served. The Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate Tramways was built to try improve connections.

Proposed extension

The line was planned to provide a new route to the continent with a proposed extension through to Folkestone Harbour. Although parliamentary consent for the extension was granted in 1876 it was never built.

Closure

In 1931 Sandgate station was closed and the remaining line between Sandling and Hythe singled. The line was closed briefly in 1943 to reopen in 1945 with two trains a day each way. The last train ran between Hythe and Sandling on 3 December 1951 and Sandling Junction was renamed Sandling for Hythe.

The route today

As at 2012 the route from Sandling to Hayne Tunnel is now a public footpath (Elham Valley Way). Hayne Tunnel is still in situ but the tunnel is now flooded up to several feet deep because part of its cutting to the south of the tunnel has been partially in filled with refuse. At the site of Hythe Station and around Seabrook there are many houses built onto the old railway embankment. Between Hythe and Sandgate short sections of infrastructure were still visible (in 2012) including some bridges still in situ.

References

  1. Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p36

Further reading

  • Leslie Oppitz (2006) Lost Railways of Kent
  • Searle, MV (1983) Lost Lines: Anthology of Britain's Lost Railways, New Cavendish Books p35-41
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