Elham Valley Railway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Elham Valley Railway is a disused railway line that runs through the Elham Valley connecting Folkestone and Canterbury in East Kent. It was operational from 1887 to 1947.
Contents |
[edit] History
The railway was sanctioned in 1866 and was constructed on behalf of the South Eastern Railway. Work began in 1884 but the entire line was not finished until 1890. It opened in two stages, from Shorncliffe (now Folkestone West) to Barham on 4th July 1887 and then to Canterbury in 1890 where it joined the Ashford - Ramsgate branch at Harbledown.
The line led a peaceful existence up until 1939 when a huge anti aircraft gun appeared ‘Boche Buster’. The line was taken over by the military. The Elham Valley railway had some important visitors including Mrs Roosevelt, Mrs Churchill and Winston Churchill. After WW2 the line was returned to its normal purpose but unable to compete with the roads the Southern railway closed the line. This happened in 1945. Lifting of the line occurred in 1950-54.
[edit] The route
The railway ran from Canterbury West Station and finished at Shornecliffe. The line had intermediate stops at Canterbury South, Bridge, Bishopsbourne, Barham, Elham and Lyminge. The line stretched for 16 miles and is generally regarded as one of the most attractive English branch lines.
[edit] The railway today
Many of the tunnels survive, as does much of the trackbed and two stations live on. Lyminge is a public library and Bishopsbourne station is a private residence. A museum is in Peene and is well worth a visit!
