Ian Heys

Format: PAL
Duration: 60 minutes

First Pasture Price:  £9.95    

Status: In Stock

The railways of Kent have a long and illustrious history and in this programme, which includes full commentary, we chart three classic branch lines, Westerham, Hawkhurst and Allhallows on Sea.  The Westerham branch left the main line at Dunton Green, only 20 miles from Charing Cross.  Each of the stations, Chevening Halt, Brasted and Westerham are shown with vintage cine film and many archive photographs.

We then move on to the Hawkhurst line, a picturesque rural byway.  Again each of the stations at Paddock Wood, Horsmonden, Goudhurst, Cranbrook and Hawkhurst are seen through vintage photographs and cine film.  Hop pickers specials from London as well as school trains helped to create the unique flavour that could be found on this branch which could boast the famous Colonel Stephens as its engineer.

The programme concludes with a look at the line to Port Victoria and Allhallows on Sea by again using cine film and photographs  Unlike the other lines featured, the branch to Grain survives and various scenes of ballast and container trains with class 33, 37 and 47 diesels complete the modern scene.