Hawkhurst Branch Line Trackbed Tour

Description

Starting at Hawkhurst station site, remaining clues are sought out, including a look inside the remaining engine shed. Thereafter, the course of the track is filmed from public roads until Badger’s Oak tunnel, where the track is travelled to Cranbrook station. The owners of the delightful Cranbrook station were very kind in allowing access, as was the owner of the goods shed. The track bed is followed north of Cranbrook most of the way to Goudhurst. The site of Pattenden siding is seen and the owner of Risebridge Farm kindly allowed access to include views along the track bed running there.

Goudhurst station site was not accessed, but the site of the level crossing is shown and the position of the station buildings are pointed out using public ways. Track bed between Goudhurst and Smallbridge was not accessed, but is seen through a long lens from surrounding public footpaths and the site of the level crossing at Smallbridge is shown. Track bed north of Smallbridge as far as Horsmonden was not accessed, with the exception of some views from Brick Kiln Lane.

Horsmonden station site was not accessed, but views of the station building and station master’s house are seen from the public road, before visiting Horsmonden tunnel. Track bed north of Horsmonden tunnel was only seen from the footpath at Swigs Hole valley and include the splendid bridge and huge embankment there. From Yew Tree Green Lane the alignment of the track bed running north is shown and accessed by two footpaths before reaching Churn Lane, where the site of the level crossing is shown. Thereafter, the track is accessed at Willow Lane, where the site of the level crossing is shown, followed by Queen Street, where the site of the demolished bridge is shown and the alignment indicated.

The final point of access was a footpath crossing the line near the junction with the main line at Paddock Wood, showing a concrete stile believed to date back to railway days. The course of the track is then followed to a point just short of the junction with the main line. Paddock Wood is reached and views are taken from the footbridge just east of the station, showing where the branch line would have joined the main line. Further views are taken from the footbridge actually at the station and from the Hawkhurst platform.

Includes constant, well-informed commentary. Reference to a vintage map is made at the end of the film, followed by a slide show of stills taken en route.