Overview | |
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Locale | Kent, England |
Dates of operation | 1892–1961 |
Successor | Abandoned |
Technical | |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Length | 11 miles 24 chains (18.19 km) |
Hawkhurst Branch Line | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Distances are from Paddock Wood, which is
34 miles 64 chains (56.01 km) from Charing Cross |
The Hawkhurst Branch Line was a short railway line in Kent that connected Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, Goudhurst and Horsmonden with the town of Paddock Wood and the South Eastern and Medway Valley lines, a distance of 11 miles 24 chains (18.19 km). The line was promoted by the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway, which was incorporated in 1877 but took until 1892 to open the first section of the line to Hope Mill. The line was extended to Hawkhurst in 1893. Sunday services ceased in 1917. The line was closed in June 1961, before the Beeching Report was published.
Origins
Background
The construction between 1842 and 1853 of the Ashford to Hastings Line, the Tonbridge to Hastings line and South Eastern Main Line between Redhill and Folkestone left a triangle of land within the Kentish High Weald devoid of rail communication.[1] It was a heavily wooded and agricultural area which comprised many small villages and hamlets. The three largest settlements in this area were Cranbrook; the former heart of the defunct Wealden cloth industry, Hawkhurst and Tenterden. There were no large landowners or wealthy industrialists to promote a branch line[2], while the local railway company - the South Eastern Railway (SER) - preferred to wait until local enterprise had funded the route's construction.[3]
A variety of abortive schemes were proposed, including an 1864 proposal by the nominally independent Weald of Kent Railway to run a route from Paddock Wood to Hythe via Cranbrook for which the SER obtained parliamentary authorisation as a defensive measure against a similar scheme proposed by the rival London, Chatham and Dover Railway. The SER's enthusiasm for the scheme waned after the financial collapse of its rival in the wake of the 1866 Overend Gurney crisis.[4] It was left to another independent company, the locally-promoted Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway, to revive the scheme in 1877 and pursue it for a further 15 years before its opening in October 1892.[5]
Construction
The Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway obtained authorisation for a single track line to link the two towns from which the company took its name. Agreement had been reached with the SER that it would provide £50,000 towards construction costs once the local company had raised £25,000 in the district.[6] The necessary funds could not be raised and by April 1878 only £11,000 had been found and, on the suggestion of the SER, it was decided to save costs by locating Cranbrook station in Hartley, 2 miles (3.2 km) from Cranbrook's centre where land prices were higher.[3] Preliminary construction works were commenced in 1879 but soon ground to a halt due to a lack of funds. Undissuaded, the railway company obtained two further Acts of Parliament in 1882 and 1892 which authorised a "cut-price" route between Goudhurst and Hawkhurst.[7]
Financial problems meant that construction was further delayed between 1884 and 1890, by which time the SER had taken over the board of the Cranbrook Railway on which now sat Alfred Gathorne-Hardy, Lord Brabourne and Alfred Watkin, son of SER Chairman Edward Watkin.[8] Edward Seaton, an engineer and independent consultant to the Metropolitan Railway, was appointed to oversee the works and he recommended the 22-year old Holman Fred Stephens as resident engineer. The contract for the construction was awarded to J.T. Firbank who had overseen the building of the Metropolitan's line between Aylesbury and Quainton Road. Work began in the spring of 1890, and the first section between Paddock Wood and Hope Mill was opened on 1 October 1892. The remainder of the line to Hawkhurst followed a year later.[9]
Route of the line
At Paddock Wood, the line's northern terminus, the rear of the Up platform was adapted to accommodate Hawkhurst services and ¾ mile (1.21 km) of single track was laid parallel to the main line up to the point where the routes diverged. This arrangement kept branch services off the main line and avoided the cost of installing a signal box to control the junction.[10] The branch gradually turned to the south and ran on the level, passing under a road bridge and over two level crossings, while climbing gradients of 1 in 78 and 1 in 66 through orchards and hop gardens, before reaching Churn Lane siding. The line then passed an accommodation crossing and under a road bridge carrying Yew Tree Green Road, climbing to 1 in 66 before running on a level for half a mile through Swigs Hole valley on a 42-foot (13 m) high embankment.[11] After crossing a deeply-wooded cutting, the line reached the 86-yard (79 m) Horsmonden Tunnel which was situated on the summit level at the end of a 1-mile (1.6 km) climb at 1 in 66 and carried the B2162 road over the line.[12]
Horsmonden was the first station to be reached (4 miles 20 chains (6.84 km) from Paddock Wood1). The station had a single platform on the up side. Goods facilities consisted a loop on the down side, and two sidings on the up side. The signal on the approach from Goudhurst had arms for traffic from both directions.[13] Leaving Horsmonden, the branch crossed Goudhurst Road by a plate girder bridge, running along the valley of the River Teise towards the Wealden hills. After climbing much of the way through gradients of 1 in 85 and 1 in 60, Goudhurst was reached (6 miles 25 chains (10.16 km)2), although it was a mile (1.6 km) away and some 250 feet (76 m) lower than Goudhurst village.[14] It was initially more correctly named "Hope Mill, for Goudhurst and Lamberhurst".[15] Goudhurst station had a passing loop and two platforms, and was signalled so that either platform could be used by down passenger trains.[16] There were three sidings on the up side.[17] The route then continued along the valley of a tributary of the Teise in a south-easterly direction. An intermediate siding at Pattenden served the local farming community and timber industry.[18] Cranbrook (9 miles 70 chains (15.89 km)3) was the line's third station and reached following a climb up the valley through woodland.[19] There was a single platform on the down side, with a passing loop opposite it. Four sidings were on the down side of the line, but on the Goudhurst side of the station.[20] Heading towards its southern terminus at Hawkhurst (11 miles 24 chains (18.19 km)4), the branch climbed again at 1 in 85 up to the 178-yard (163 m) Badger's Oak Tunnel, the line's summit, before dropping at 1 in 80.[21] To save costs, the station was situated at Gills Green, around 1¼ miles (2 km) from Hawkhurst village.[8] Hawkhurst station was 46¼ miles (74.43 km) from Charing Cross.[22] The single platform was on the down side of the line, with a passing loop opposite, which also gave access to the two road engine shed. The five sidings were located on the down side of the station.[23]
Proposed extensions
Various abortive proposals were made to extend the line, whose dead-end nature deprived it of much of its usefulness.[24] Before construction had been completed, proposals were tabled for extensions to link up with the Lydd Railway Company at Appledore[8] and, later, to Rye. Although these schemes never materialised, the buffer stops at Hawkhurst were positioned so as to allow the extension of the line without the need for alterations to the existing layout.[25]
Holman Fred Stephens, the Hawkhurst line's resident engineer, later became the chief engineer in the construction of the Rother Valley Railway (RVR, later known as the Kent and East Sussex Railway) which opened in 1900 from Robertsbridge as far as Rolvenden (then known as "Tenterden").[26] In 1899, Stephens obtained a light railway order authorising the "Cranbrook and Tenterden Light Railway" which would run from Cranbrook station to join the RVR at a triangular junction just beyond Rolvenden where it would join the proposed extension of the RVR to Headcorn.[27] The line was never built although it continued to appear in Kent and East Sussex Railway reports until 1937.[28]
Operations
Official opening
Following a satisfactory inspection carried out by Major Marindin of the Board of Trade on 3 September 1892, the line between Paddock Wood and Hope Mill, for Goudhurst and Lamberhurst was opened to passenger and goods traffic nine days later. The first service drawn by Cudworth E1 class 2-4-0 No. 112 left Hope Mill at 0825 and free travel was offered throughout the day.[29] The official opening took place on 1 October 1892, and services were extended to Hawkhurst on 4 September 1893. The line was worked by the SER (soon to become the SECR) which formally absorbed the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway on 29 January 1900.[9]
Shortly before the line was opened throughout the residents of Cranbrook, regretful that the village was not directly served, approached the SER with a proposal to construct a 2-mile (3.2 km) "light line" between Hartley and Cranbrook at an estimated cost of £10,000 which they would guarantee themselves. The scheme never came to fruition.[30]
Traffic
Passengers
Passenger traffic was always light on the branch, and the addition of through coaches to London in the 1890s failed to encourage patronage.[31] The inaugural passenger service of ten trains daily each way (two on Sundays) remained unchanged until 1917 when, as a result of economies imposed by the First World War, the frequency was reduced to four weekday services with no service on Sundays.[32] Initially, passenger trains were worked by Cudworth 118 class 2-4-0 locomotives.[33] Since at least 1912, services had been drawn by an ageing Q class 0-4-4T locomotive.[34] In 1922, the timetable showed six down trains and seven up trains daily except Sundays.[35]
Week Days Only | ||||||||||||||
Tonbridge Jn (dep) | 8:14 | 10:55 | 1:28 | 4:03 | 5:41 | 7:10 | Hawkhurst (dep) | 7:49 | 9:14 | 11:44 | 3:39 | 4:57 | 6:32 | 8:05 |
Paddock Wood (arr) | 8:29 | 11:03 | 1:37 | 4:12 | 5:58 | 7:19 | Cranbrook | 7:54 | 9:19 | 11:49 | 3:44 | 5:02 | 6:37 | 8:10 |
Paddock Wood (dep) | 8:33 | 11:08 | 1:50 | 4:28 | 5:59 | 7:32 | Goudhurst | 8:01 | 9:26 | 11:58 | 3:51 | 5:09 | 6:44 | 8:27 |
Horsmonden | 8:42 | 11:17 | 1:59 | 4:37 | 6:07 | 7:41 | Horsmonden | 8:06 | 9:31 | 12:04 | 3:56 | 5:14 | 6:49 | 8:22 |
Goudhurst | 8:48 | 11:21 | 2:03 | 4:41 | 6:11 | 7:46 | Paddock Wood (arr) | 8:16 | 9:41 | 12:14 | 4:06 | 5:24 | 6:59 | 8:32 |
Cranbrook | 8:55 | 11:30 | 2:12 | 4:50 | 6:20 | 7:55 | Paddock Wood (dep) | 8:29 | 9:44 | 12:16 | 4:27 | 5:29 | 7:02 | 8:43 |
Hawkhurst (arr) | 9:00 | 11:35 | 2:17 | 4:55 | 6:25 | 8:00 | Tonbridge Jn (arr) | 8:38 | 9:53 | 12:25 | 4:37 | 5:38 | 7:24 | 8:52 |
By 1925, the frequency had increased to eight with the introduction of push-pull working by former LCDR R1 class 0-4-4T locomotives. [34] In 1926, a Sentinel-Cammell steam railbus was trialled on the line for a month.[36] Two extra services had been added by 1928 and an extra Saturday afternoon Paddock Wood working was added in 1930.[32] By 1938 the timetable had taken on its final form of seven up and six down services plus the Saturday afternoon working; by special regulation, the push-pull services were guardless except for the first train of the day.[34]
On 6 July 1950, the Queen Mother travelled the line as far as Cranbrook when she visited the National Sanatorium at Benenden. The Royal Train was pulled by a Maunsell E1 class 4-4-0 No. 31067, Her Majesty using a special Pullman carriage named Malaga.[28]
Goods
Template:BS-headerTemplate:BS-tableTemplate:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BSTemplate:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5|} Goods traffic was more substantial, with fruit, hops and timber being sent out and coal being received.[31] The 1937 timetable showed two down freight workings from Paddock Wood and one conditional working for Goudhurst, while in the other direction two conditional workings ran from Hawkhurst and one from Goudhurst. These were market trains and carried wagons for Blackfriars Goods attached to freight services at Paddock Wood.[37] The volume of goods carried fell into steep decline after the Second World War as more and more freight was taken to market by road.[38] Coal traffic remained constant as did the transport of pot plants from local nurseries for F W Woolworth. This was an important source of revenue for the line and brought in around £1,000 per week. Plants were loaded at Hawkhurst on the last train to Tonbridge, with further collections possibly being made at Horsmonden; special services were laid on in the busy period before Mothering Sunday.[39]
Template:BS-headerTemplate:BS-tableTemplate:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5Template:BSTemplate:BS5Template:BS5Template:BS5|} There were two sidings on the line which were available for public use. Churn siding was located between Paddock Wood and Horsmonden stations. The siding was on the up side of the line. It was accessed by a facing connection in each direction. A siding at the Horsmonden end served a brickworks. Although some sources state that Churn Siding was out of use by 1940, photographs show that is was still in use in 1951 and it was named in the closure notice. Towards the end of the line's existance, Churn Siding was used for storage of wagons.[40] Pattenden siding was located between Goudhurst and Cranbrook stations. The siding was located on the down side of the line. was accessed by a trailing connection in the down direction (towards Hawkhurst). Its main use was to import shoddy which was used as fertiliser for hop gardens.[41]
Specials
During the early 1950s, well over 4,000 hop-pickers and some 23,000 visitors travelled in 56 "Hopper specials" - extra services laid on during the hop season.[42] In 1912 there had been 26 specials each carrying as many as 350 people; they generally started at London Bridge and called at New Cross or New Cross Gate[43]. A "Hop Control Centre" was set up at Paddock Wood to organise these services, ensuring that hoppers could alight at London Bridge and be taken directly to the nearest hop farm.[44] This traffic was however already in decline as rising living standards and paid holidays led to a decline in the hop-picker workforce, and many of those who remained chose to travel by car or van. By 1959 the Sunday service consisted of a single two-coach unit, with an evening working to London Bridge. As mechanical pickers gradually replaced the human workforce, hop-picking had become a memory by the time the branch closed in 1961.[45]
Special services were also laid on for the Benenden and Cranbrook boarding schools. Special trains to Benenden were laid on from Charing Cross, quite often with six corridor coaches hauled by E1 or D1 class 4-4-0 locomotives. The last special train ran on 2 May 1961 from Charing Cross at 2:46pm.[46] Boarders' trunks and other belongings occupied so much space that utility vans were required at the end of each term. These were loaded at Hawkhurst and Cranbrook, attached to the daily up goods working and forwarded to Paddock Wood by parcels train.[37]
Accidents
On 18 February 1948 C Class locomotive 1225 was wrongly despatched into the north sidings at Goudhurst and derailed.[47]
Decline and closure
The inconvenient siting of stations and the decline in hop-picking in the area all contributed to diminishing returns on the line by the late 1950s. Apart from the 16:25 daily working from Paddock Wood which was well patronised by children, few trains carried more than a dozen passengers.[34] Even the school traffic was lost once the local authority hired the services of Maidstone & District Motor Company.[48] The line was unpopular with commuters due to the lack of a connection from Cannon Street; the 16:32 departed too early for many commuters while the eleven-coach 18:18 Ramsgate service was overcrowded and divided at Tonbridge where three coaches were detached for Ashford. Hawkhurst-bound passengers had to detrain at Paddock Wood and cross over to the bay platform for the branch service which arrived in Hawkhurst at 19:58.[49] Locals preferred the direct bus services to Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells over the indirect railway journey.[48]
It was therefore no surprise when closure notices were posted in 1961. The last day of regular services was Saturday 10 June 1961 when a pair of C class 0-6-0's replaced the usual Wainwright H class tanks. The event was recorded by a BBC cameraman who filmed the 09:07 departure from Paddock Wood. The Tonbridge crew had chalked on the cabside of the engine "Shed no tears for the single track, for perhaps we may come back. And if we do, you can be sure, we'll see you all again once more." Later in the day the trains were lengthened with the addition of former LSWR push-pull set No. 656 and a Maunsell corridor coach.[50] The same locomotive worked the last 17:00 train from Hawkhurst[51], while every seat was taken by locals and railway enthusiasts.[48] The daughter of bandleader Jack Payne was on-hand to toast the final departure.[52]
The line's last public train ran the next day. Class O1 0-6-0 No. 31065 piloted C class no. 31592 as part of a special service organised by the Locomotive Club of Great Britain. Bearing the nameplate "The South Eastern Limited", the train travelled the line as part of its "Farewell to Steam" tour.[51] Later that day it also navigated the remaining section of the K&ESR from Robertsbridge to Tenterden - the northern section to Headcorn having closed in 1954.[53]
The track was lifted in 1964[31] and the station sites were offered for sale in 1967. Electric services on the South Eastern Main Line through Paddock Wood commenced on 12 June 1961, two days after the closure of the Hawkhurst Branch.[54]
Present day scene
Remains
The platform bay at Paddock Wood from which most of the line's trains departed is now part of a car park, with the edge of the platform fenced off.[55] Parts of the line are still visible, such as the embankment through Swigs Hole valley and the approach to Horsmonden tunnel.[56] Some bridges still remain, although the plate girder bridge over Goudhurst Road, Horsmonden has been removed.[57]
Horsmonden station has been converted to a private garage trading as the "Old Station Garage", with the old stationmaster's house in use as a private dwelling.[58] A station sign is preserved on the garage wall and part of the platform survives in the workshop.[59] Goudhurst station, yard and level crossing have disappeared as a result of road-widening and residential development[60]; a private house called "Haltwhistle" stands on part of the old goods yard. The old station lights have been re-used along the drive of the house.[61] Cranbrook station was used for many years as a pottery, and its stationmaster's house is now a private dwelling, with part of the goods yard also having survived.[62] The signal box has survived and the station building has been extended to meet with it; the trackbed is now part of the lawn.[63] The site of Hawkhurst station is now occupied by Kent Woodware Co, a wood turnery business. The main station building was demolished in the 1960s but the platforms, engine and goods sheds, stationmaster's house and signal box are still extant. The owner, a railway enthusiast, ensures that the signal box receives "a good coat of paint every other year".[64]
Proposed cycleway
In September 2008 representatives from Hawkhurst, Goudhurst, Horsmonden and Paddock Wood Parish Councils met to discuss the possibility of converting all or part of the former line into a trail which could be used by cyclists and walkers.[65] The proposal is supported by Kent County Council and a 2-mile (3.2 km) section between Hawkhurst and Goudhurst has been identified as being easily convertible into a trail. The remainder to Paddock Wood is said to be "more difficult but not impossible".[66] Horsmonden Parish Council has declined to participate in the scheme on the basis that any trail would not be able to follow the former railway alignment in its area due to private ownerships and in-filled sections.[67]
References
- ^ White 1992, p. 65-66.
- ^ White 1987, p. 19-20.
- ^ a b Harding 1998, p. 4.
- ^ White 1987, p. 66.
- ^ Oppitz 2003, p. 123.
- ^ Course 1974, p. 166.
- ^ White 1987, p. 21.
- ^ a b c Harding 1998, p. 5.
- ^ a b Mitchell & Smith 1989, p. 2.
- ^ Course 1974, p. 167.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 15.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figures 19 and 20.
- ^ "Horsmonden". The Signalling Record Society. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 17.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 9.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 47.
- ^ "Goudhurst". The Signalling Record Society. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 55.
- ^ White 1987, p. 24.
- ^ "Cranbrook". The Signalling Record Society. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 76.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 105.
- ^ "Hawkhurst". The Signalling Record Society. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
- ^ White 1992, p. 66.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 117.
- ^ Oppitz 2003, p. 130-131.
- ^ Garrett 1999, p. 9.
- ^ a b Harding 1998, p. 13.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 6.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 11.
- ^ a b c Course 1974, p. 168.
- ^ a b Mitchell & Smith 1989, p. 3.
- ^ Vallance & February 1955, p. 125.
- ^ a b c d White 1987, p. 25.
- ^ St John Thomas 1985, p. 237.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 19.
- ^ a b White 1987, p. 28.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 22.
- ^ White 1987, p. 28-29.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figures 12, 14 and 15.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, figures 53-55.
- ^ Oppitz 2003, p. 127.
- ^ White 1987, p. 26.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 25.
- ^ White 1987, p. 27.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 23.
- ^ Scott-Morgan 2008, p. 46.
- ^ a b c Harding 1998, p. 27.
- ^ White 1987, p. 29.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 72.
- ^ a b Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 74.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 28.
- ^ Garrett 1999, p. 49.
- ^ Mitchell & Smith 1989, Figure 7.
- ^ Morrison & Beer 1994, p. 101.
- ^ White 1987, p. 174.
- ^ Harding 1998, p. 30.
- ^ "Disused Stations". Subterranea Britannica.
- ^ Morrison & Beer 1994, p. 102.
- ^ White 1987, p. 30.
- ^ "Disused Stations". Subterranea Britannica.
- ^ "Disused Stations". Subterranea Britannica.
- ^ Morrison & Beer 1994, p. 104.
- ^ Oppitz 2003, p. 128.
- ^ Hawkhurst Parish Council (10 September 2008). "Full Council Minutes from 8 September 2008, para. 7.2" (DOC). Retrieved 9 January 2010.
- ^ Paddock Wood Town Council (18 May 2009). "Annual Meeting held on 18 May 2009, para. C10" (DOC). Retrieved 9 January 2010.
- ^ Horsmonden Parish Council (6 October 2008). "Meeting held on 6 October 2008, para. 8.5" (PDF). Retrieved 9 January 2010.
Sources
- Course, Edwin Alfred (1974). The Railways of Southern England: Secondary and Branch Lines. London: B.T. Batsford Ltd. ISBN 0-7134-2835-X. OCLC 1231006.
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- Garrett, S.D. (1999). The Kent & East Sussex Railway (Locomotion Papers No. 56). Usk, Mon.: The Oakwood Press. ISBN 978-0-85361-516-3. OCLC 43502036.
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- Harding, Peter A. (1998) [1982]. The Hawkhurst Branch Line. Woking: Peter A. Harding. ISBN 0-9523458-3-8. OCLC 42005158.
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- Hart, Brian (2000). The Hawkhurst Branch. Didcot, Oxon: Wild Swan Publications Ltd. ISBN 1-874103-54-2. OCLC 59535045.
{{cite book}}
: Invalid|ref=harv
(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link)
- Mitchell, Victor E.; Smith, Keith A. (August 1989). Branch Line to Hawkhurst. Midhurst, West Sussex: Middleton Press. ISBN 978-0-906520-66-6. OCLC 24952241.
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- Morrison, Brian; Beer, Brian (May 1994). British Railways Past and Present: Kent and East Sussex (No. 20). Wadenhoe, Peterborough: Silver Link Publishing Ltd. ISBN 978-1-85895-044-0. OCLC 54046772.
{{cite book}}
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- Oppitz, Leslie (2003). Lost Railways of Kent. Newbury, Berks: Countryside Books. ISBN 978-1-85306-803-4. OCLC 52565653.
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- Scott-Morgan, John (2008). Branches & Byways - Kent. Hersham: Oxford Publishing Co. OCLC 233788389. ISBN 978-0-86093-616-9.
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- St John Thomas, David (1985) [1922]. Bradshaw's July 1922 Railway Guide. London: Guild Publishing. ISBN 978-0-715387-08-5. OCLC 12500436.
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- Vallance, H.A. (February 1955). "Through the Wealden Hills to Hawkhurst" (PDF). The Railway Magazine. 101 (646): 121–125. ISSN 0033-8923. Retrieved 12 January 2010.
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Notes
- 1, 2, 3, 4.^ ^ ^ ^ Sectional Appendix to the Working Timetable and Books of Rules and Regulations. Waterloo Station: British Railways Southern Region, South Eastern Division. 1960. p. p35.
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External links
- The Hawkhurst Branch Line - 48 years after closure, the remains of the line in 2009
- Platform 14 Ltd (2008-05-04). "The Hawkhurst Branch". Along These Lines. Season 1. Episode 4. ITV Meridian.