ELEVATED industrial Steam Railway

This is a former industrial 2’ 6” (762mm) narrow gauge railway once part of the Bowaters Paper Company in Sittingbourne, Kent in the UK. The railway was used to haul materials and personnel between the two mills located in Sittingbourne and Kemsley, then to, from and around Ridham Dock. It was closed in 1969 after it was deemed more expensive to run than transporting goods by road. The lower part of the railway and rolling stock was taken over by the Locomotive Club of Great Britain which then became the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway (SKLR). The unique viaduct section was built in 1914-15 and spans half a mile along from Milton Regis to Sittingbourne Viaduct Station. The Sittingbourne Paper Mill site was closed in 2007 and demolished in 2010 threatening the railway with closure. After numerous discussions with the then owners M-Reel and various parties, the railway was saved from closure. It still operates today as a heritage railway. In this video, I take a look at the line, viaduct with the old steam pipes and see some working diesel and steam locomotives running on the line.

More information can be found here:

Location (Sittingbourne Viaduct Station):

Please note: It’s not advisable to walk along the track or viaduct. Unscheduled, maintenance and other trains may be running on the line. The last place you want to be is walking the track with a locomotive chasing you down. Please visit the SKLR website for the timetable if you want to travel on or help the railway out.

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