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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
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.
Usage was always light, possibly because of the position of the two stations away from the populations they served. 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.
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.
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 with refuse.
References
- 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