Maidstone East Line

The Maidstone East Line diverges from the Chatham Main Line at Swanley Junction (after Swanley), proceeds down the Darenth valley (via a Tunnel to Eynsford) where the line diverges off the Sevenoaks line (via Bat and Ball) at Otford. It continues via Borough Green & Wrotham to Maidstone East, which leads onto Ashford and on to east Kent. The line is double track throughout.

The line from Swanley to Maidstone East was electrified using the third rail system in 1939. The section between Maidstone East and Ashford was electrified in 1961.

History

The line was built by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway from their first line (the Chatham Main Line). Upon the creation of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway the original Ashford terminus was closed in 1899 and services diverted to the South Eastern Railway's Ashford station. The line was electrified in 1939 (750V DC third rail) to Maidstone East by the Southern Railway prior to World War Two. Electrification between Maidstone East and Ashford was completed in 1961 under the BR 1955 Modernisation Plan.

Services

Services on the line are run by Southeastern. Services run to London Victoria and Ashford, with some peak services to Bedford via London Blackfriars.

Due to its place between the two main lines through Kent (South Eastern Main Line and Chatham Main Line), the line has comparatively infrequent services and longer journey times.

References

• Yonge, John (October 1994). Gerald Jacobs. ed. Railway Track Diagrams - Volume 5 England, South and London Underground (1st edition ed.). Exeter: Quail Map Co.. ISBN 1-8983-1907-3. 
• Yonge, John (2002). Gerald Jacobs. ed. Railway Track Diagams - Book 5: England South and London Underground (Quail Track Plans) (2nd edition ed.). Exeter: Quail Map Company. ISBN 1-8983-1952-9. OCLC 55557335.