Sandgate Branch
Encyclopedia
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.
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 Hayne tunnel, and part of its cutting to the south of the tunnel, have been partially infilled with refuse causing the tunnel to flood with a few feet of water. Between Hythe and Sandgate short sections of infrasturcture were still visible (in 2011) including some bridges still in situ.
Sandling railway station
Sandling railway station serves Sandling in Kent, England. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southeastern. The station is also 7 km west of Folkestone Central on the South Eastern Main Line...
in Kent on the South Eastern Main Line to Hythe
Hythe railway station (SER)
Hythe railway station was a railway station serving the town of Hythe in Kent and was positioned just after the railway crossed Blackhouse Hill. On the Sandgate Branch line the station had two platforms, and a brick built station building....
and Sandgate
Sandgate railway station
Sandgate railway station was a railway station serving the town of Sandgate in Kent and was positioned just after the railway crossed Hospital Hill. On the Sandgate Branch line the station had two platforms, and a brick built station building....
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 stationWestenhanger railway station
Westenhanger railway station serves Westenhanger in Kent, England. The station is on the South Eastern Main Line 103 km south east of London Charing Cross. All trains serving Westenhanger are operated by Southeastern. It serves Folkestone Racecourse and the village of Stanford.British Rail...
on the main line, then in 1888 Sandling Junction
Sandling railway station
Sandling railway station serves Sandling in Kent, England. The station, and all trains serving it, is operated by Southeastern. The station is also 7 km west of Folkestone Central on the South Eastern Main Line...
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 Hayne tunnel, and part of its cutting to the south of the tunnel, have been partially infilled with refuse causing the tunnel to flood with a few feet of water. Between Hythe and Sandgate short sections of infrasturcture were still visible (in 2011) including some bridges still in situ.
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