Railway comes to Wateringbury (1844)

Post date: Apr 07, 2012 3:42:29 PM

Extract from The Morning Chronicle, 25th September 1844:

OPENING OF MAIDSTONE BRANCH RAILWAY.

Yesterday a general holiday was observed at Maidstone, to celebrate the opening of the branch line to that town from the London and Dover Railway, at Paddock's-wood, a distance of ten miles, and forty-six from London-bridge. At eleven, a.m., a special train started from the Brick-layers' Arms Station² drawn by the engine, "Kentishman," decorated with flags and evergreens; containing, amongst others, Mr. J. P. Richards, the deputy chairman; Captain Tyndale, R.N., Mr. Davis, Mr. Smale, Mr. Lewis Culitt, directors of the company; Mr. Whitehead, the secretary; Mr. Aldermen Humphery, M.P.; Mr. Alderman Hughes Hughes, Mr. Salomons, and others.

The train stopped at the Tonbridge station, where a branch now in course of construction, and which will be opened in May next, diverges to Tonbridge Wells, whence it is proposed to carry another branch to Hastings. The Maidstone branch is ten miles in length, has cost £100,000 and consists of a single line of way, sufficient land having been taken for a double³. The works were commenced about twelve months since, under the superintendence of Mr. Robert Stephenson⁴. There are no remarkable engineering features, the line running parallel with the Medway for a considerable distance, on a dead level, and through spacious hop plantations. Taking a curve in a south-easterly course, it passes through the property of Lady de Spencer, at Mereworth. It then pursues the western bank of the Medway until it arrives at Yalding, where there is a neat station in the neighbourhood of Sir John Shaw's estate. The line, which is extremely picturesque in many parts, then commands a fine open view down the valley to Wateringbury, where it skirts Barham Court, the seat of the Earl of Gainsborough.

Here the train, on stopping to take up Mr. Alderman Lucas¹ and other visitors, was received with a hearty cheer from the inhabitants. Sweeping through the property of Sir Henry FitzHerbert, the line passes to Barming and East and West Farleigh, three of the largest fruit-growing districts in Kent; and after a short circuit enters Maidstone on the western side, at the foot of the amphitheatre of hills by which it is surrounded.

At the Maidstone terminus the directors were received by the Mayor and Corporation and townspeople. Accompanied by the Canterbury band, they proceeded to the Town-hall, and from thence to the Corn Exchange, where 250 of the inhabitants sat down to dinner, the Mayor (Mr. Thomas Day) presiding, supported by Sir Elmund Filmer, Bart., M.P.; Mr. Hope, M.P.; Mr. Marton, M. P.; Mr. Pott, late high sheriff; the company which came by the train, and a large number of the residents. The train returned at half-past nine, reaching London-bridge at twelve o'clock.

Extract from the Westmoreland Gazette,Saturday 28th September 1844:

Opening of the Maidstone Branch Railway. On Tuesday another of those undertakings which are every where rapidly intersecting and changing the face of our country, and striking out new pathways for commerce and enterprise -a branch line of railway from the Dover line to Maidstone -was thrown open to the public. The distance from London to Maidstone is 55 miles per rail, the greater portion of which (46 miles) is travelled on the Dover line. The new branch line is nine miles in length, and branches off to Maidstone, from what was formerly called the Maidstone-road station, the name of which is now changed to Paddock-wood station. The branch line is a single line of rails, but provision has been made for the laying down of another line, should the amount of traffic render this necessary. The establishment of this branch line has been almost forced upon the inhabitants of Maidstone, as a measure of self-defence. Formerly Maidstone was the centre to which the vast quantities of hops and fruit grown on the fertile plains of Kent were all conveyed, to be thence shipped by the Medway Navigation to London; since the opening of the Dover line of railway, the greater part, if not the whole, of this immense traffic, has left Maidstone, and was rapidly forming central points on different parts of the Dover line; and the opening of the branch line is an attempt, in some measure, to bring back this traffic to Maidstone. The branch line traverses perhaps one of the most richly-wooded, fruitful, and pretty vallies in England. Throughout the whole distance it passes along the left bank of the Medway, which winds its serpentine course through woods, and hop-fields, and orchards. There are three stations on the line, Yalding, Wateringbury, and East Farleigh.

There was a longer report in Times [London] 25th September 1844 (The Times Digital Archive):

OPENING OF THE MAIDSTONE BRANCH RAILWAY

(FROM OUR OWN REPORTER)

Yesterday another of those undertakings which are everywhere rapidly intersecting and changing the face of our country, and striking out new pathways for commerce and enterprise-a branch line of railway from the Dover line to Maidstone-was thrown open to the public.

To commemorate the occasion the directors of the company forming this branch line gave a public dinner last evening at Maidstone, and a special trai was engaged to convey a great number of gentlemen interested in the undertaking. the directors resident in London and their invited guests. the train left the Bricklayers' Arms station of the Dover Railway terminus at 11 o'clock, the engine and train being gaily ornamented with evergreen and flags.

The distance from London to Maidstone is 55 miles per rail, the greater portion of which (46 miles) is traveled on the Dover line. The new branch line , the opening of which was yesterday commemorated, is nine miles in length, and braches off to Maidstone, from what was formerly called the Maidstone-road statio, the name of which is now changed to Paddock-wood station. The branch line is a single line of rails, but provision has been made for the laying down of another line, should the amount of traffic render this necessary. The establishment of this branch line been almost forced upon the inhabitants of Maidstone as a measure of self defense. Formerly Maidstone was the centre to which the vast quantities of hops and fruit grown on the fertile plains of Kent were all conveyed, to be thence shipped by the Medway Navigation to London; since the opening of the Dover line of railway, the greater part, if not the whole, of this immense traffic, has left Maidstone, and was rapidly forming central points on different parts of the Dover line; and the opening of this branch line is an attempt, in some measure, to bring back this traffic to Maidstone.

The branch line traverses perhaps one of the most richly-wooded, fruitful, and pretty vallies in England. Throughout the whole distance it passes along the left bank of the river Medway, which winds its serpentine course through woods, and hop-fields, and orchards. This season of the year being the very height of the hop-picking, thousands of women and children were seen engaged in the fields in that employment, or thronging the line to cheer the passing train. The number of women and children now engaged in this branch of industry, collected far and near from the surrounding country, is enormous, and it was curious to observe the contrivances to which they had been compelled to resort to obtain lodgings and places of shelter near their work. When the hop poles have been stripped of their graceful load the pickers pile them in the form of a cone with an extended base, the poles are then interlaced with the dead hop stalks, and with this thatching a kind of tent or rude hut is formed, in which three or four persons will live and sleep for a week or two near their work, and thousands of hoppers are thus bivouacked, during the hop-picking season, on the open fields.

There are three stations on the line, Yalding, Wateringbury, and East Farleigh. At each of these stations crowds of well-dressed people and ladies were assembled to cheer the passing train. At Wateringbury station the train stopped a short time to take up a number of visitors, and here the brass band of the depot stationed at Maidstone played the national anthem amidst the cheering of thousands of spectators. Passing onwards to East Farleigh the country on each side of the is beautiful; alternately orchards teeming with fruit, and graceful-looking hop fields, and rich woods. At this place (East Farleigh) Mr Ellis, the largest hop-grower in the world, has his extensive drying-houses and warehouses. It is said that this gentleman's crop of hops will this year be worth £200,000. Passing on to the village of Teston, there is a picturesque old bridge over the Medway, and near this is the seat of the Earl of Gainsborough. On the opposite bank of the river is Tutson-hall, the seat of Sir Henry Fitzherbert. It is scarceley possible to conceive anything more lovely and quiet than the aspect of the country here, with here and there a disciple of old Isaac Walton whipping the surface of the placid Medway, in calm enjoyment of the beautiful scenery around him.

The branch line which has just been completed was commenced in November last, under the auspices of Mr. Stephenson, the engineer; Messrs. Betts and Son being the contractors for its completion.

At Maidstone an immense crowd of people was assembled to witness the arrival of the train. Here again the military band played the national anthem amidst loud hurrahs, whilst the directors and visitors left the carriages. The latter then proceeded to the Town-hall, where a handsome lunch was set out; after partaking of which some of the visitors dispersed themselves about the town and neighbourhood until the dinner time should arrive. Others again entered the carriages , and surveyed the line to Paddock-wood station. the train occupied about two hours and a half in completing the journey from London to Maidstone. Shortly before 3 o'clock, at which time it was announced the dinner would take place, a procession of gentlemen interested in the undertaking, headed by the military band, was formed and proceeded to the Corn Exchange, in the fine room of which building the dinner was held.

The room was neatly arranged with one long table, at which sat the chairman, the directors, and principal guests, branching from which were nine parallel tables, for the visitors, arranged alphabetically, and the seats numbered, with corresponding tickets, so that all confusion was avoided.

The chair was occupied by the mayor, Mr. T. Day, and amongst the visitors present were,-Sir E. Filmer, M.P.; Mr. Hope M.P.for the borough; Mr. W.C. Martin, M.P.; Mr. A. Pott, the late High Sheriff; Mr. J. Whatman, Colonel Middleton, Alderman Humphery, Alderman Lucas¹, Mr. D. Salomons, Mr. J. Jacobson, Captain Castle, Mr. J. Ellis, Alderman Franklin, Mr. C. Smythe, Mr. J. Woodbridge, Mr. T. Boorman, Alderman Randall, Major Wayth, Mr. R. Wedd, Mr. J. Whitehead, Mr. J. Monckton, town-clerk,; Mr. S. Walter, the Rev. Mr. Spurgin, &c.

About 300 gentleman sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by Mr. Spencer, of the Mitre Hotel.

Mr. O'Toole, the celebrated toastmaster, fully sustained his character. The military band was stationed in the gallery of the Corn Exchange, and played many beautiful airs during the dinner, and Mr. Moody, the comic singer, enlivened the company by his vocal talents.

The cloth having been removed,

The CHAIRMAN then gave "the Queen," with three times three.

The band -anthem "God save the Queen."

"The Queen Dowager," with three times three.

"His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert, the Prince of wales, and the hopes of John Bull."

"The Archbishop of Canterbury and the clergy." (Loud applause.)

The Rev. Mr. Spurgin acknowledged the toast.

"The Duke of Wellington and the Army,"with three times three.

The band-"See the conquering hero comes."

Colonel MIDDLETON responded to the toast in an appropriate and clever speech.

"The Earl of Haddington and the Navy," with three times three.

Mr. Moody.-Comic song, "Buy my images."

The CHAIRMAN next proposed, "The Chairman andf directors of the South-Eastern Railway Company."(Cheers.) He was prepared for this burst of enthusiasm, looking at the circumstances under which they were met. They had felt hitherto that Maidstone, which formerly had a great traffic with the metropolis, had become, as it were, a deserted place; but, thanks to the public spirit of the chairman and directors of the South Eastern Railway Company, that cloud which floated over them was passing away. Those gentlemen had come forward most handsomely to effect its removal, and he only hoped that the good understanding which had prevailed between them and the town of Maidstone might continue to the end of time. He trusted that this speculation might prove as profitable to the directors as beneficial to the town of Maidstone. (Cheers.)

Mr. RICHARDS (deputy-chairman of the South-Eastern Railway Company) rose to respond to the toast. it was indeed a difficult task for him to perform, to endeavour to return thanks for their hospitable reception. He trusted that this entertainment was the prelude of that future good understanding which was necessary to insure the prosperity of their undertaking. He felt that the well-being of Maidstone, and of the South-Eastern Railway were bound up together, and that it was impossible for the town of Maidstone to flourish without benefit to the South-Eastern Railway Company. He hoped that the result of the railway would be greatly to benefit the town of Maidstone. It was impossible not to be struck with the importance of the town of Maidstone, and he hoped that the South-Eastern Railway Company would ever give evert facility in their power to aid the traffic of the town.The speaker then paid a high compliment to a noble Lord resident in the neighbourhood (the earl of Gainsborough), who, though opposed to railroads, the moment he heard that the interests of the town of Maidstone were at stake in the establishment of this branch, gave every facility in his power towards its advancement, and had offered to the company whatever land they found necessary, and had left the compensation to be awarded by an indifferent person. If the same conduct had been generally pursued, the benefit to the community would have been enormous, and the saving to railway companies immense. The South-Eastern Railway Company hoped eventually to be able to carry on the railway to Hastings. The railroad was already the high road to Paris and to the whole opf Europe, and Maidstone was by it made a central point. (Cheers.) He could only add that they were extremely glad that they had got there at last. (Cheers.)

"The railway whistle." (Laughter.)

Mr. Richards then proposed "The Mayor of Maidstone." (CHEERS)

The Mayor returned thanks in an appropriate speech, and proposed "The health of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of London."

Mr. Alderman LUCAS¹ rose amidst loud cheers to acknowledge the toast. He thanked the company for the honour they had done to the inhabitants of the good old city. (cheers.) The citizens of London took, and he hoped always would take, a lively interest in every public measure which could have a tendency to promote the commercial interests of and give advantages to the towns and cities around London. He congratulated them on the events of the day, because it brought them more and more closely in connection with the city of London,the great source of their commercial intercourse; and he hoped it would be found to tend to the prosperity of the town of Maidstone, (Cheers.) That town in the good old times had been called the King's town of Maidstone, because in the time of the rebellion it had distinguished itself by its loyalty. Through the progress of invention the East Indies were now a month removed from us, whilst formerly they were a year removed from commercial intercourse. If anything could have a tendency to promote commercial intercourse and increase the prosperity of a great trading community, it was the rapid communication which the railroads had afforded. (Hear.)

Extract from The illustrated London News of September 28, 1844

.....

On reaching Wateringbury station Alderman Lucas¹ surrounded by his family and a large party... standing beneath a flag, on which inscribed the words "Old England, our Church and our Queen" and loudly hailing the approach of the train. The example of the stout old "water-fencible" was followed by the inhabitants and peasantry assembled, and a scene of "Merrie England"followed.

The worthy Alderman, having thus in his own words "bowed to the times and circumstances" mounted the innovating train, and at eighty seven years of age, went on a line to Maidstone. before reaching the terminus , from an elevation near East Farleigh, a splendid view of the town is obtained. In the centre is seen Courtney's Church of All Saints, and the adjoining college; and, in the background, a noble sweep of the chain of hills, which constitute the northern downs.

The branch is a single line of rails, but provision has been made for the laying down of another line, should the amount of traffic render the addition necessary. The inclination of the line varies little from a dead level, and its course embraces a succession of somewhat sudden curves, conjoined by what Hogarth would have called "lines of beauty". The length is about nine miles.

After the arrival of the long-expected "first train" the scene at Maidstone became, in the best sense of the term, a holiday one. Trains ran up and down the line "gratis". The shops were closed. Social parties were made between the inhabitants and the visitors to explore the wonders of Allington Castle, Leeds Castle, Boxley Abbey and other celebrated places in the neighbourhood. The directors and friends of the Company sat down at five o'clock to a most sumptuous dinner in the Town Hall. The ruder merry-makers burned tar-barrels in the street, and finally huzzaed the Londoners to their cost seats in the return train to town at ten o'clock. Thus ended a memorable, and to all parties, a happy day.

Notes:

1. Alderman Matthias Prime Lucas was the owner of Wateringbury Place from 1820 to his death in 1848. He had created a volunteer force to assist the navy against invasion by Napoleonic France known as the river or water- fencibles. He was Lord Mayor of London in 1827. The railway line went through his land.

2. Bricklayers Arms road intersection between the A2 and the London Inner Ring Road in south London, England. It is the junction of Tower Bridge Road, Old Kent Road, New Kent Road and Great Dover Street. At this time a major station of London.

3. Doubling of the line only had to wait until May 1846 when it was completed by Gissell & Petoat a cost of £43,560 including the cost of gatekeepers' cottages. Previously there had only been 3 passing places (Source: South Eastern Railway by Adrian Gray pp 170 -171).

4. Robert Stephenson (1803-1859) was the son of George Stephenson, the "father of the railway". Robert helped his father survey the line for the Stockton and Darlington railway. He developed the steam locomotive Rocket which won the Rainhill Trials in 1829. By 1850 Robert had been involved in the construction of about a third of country's rail network. He also worked on railways of Belgium, France, Norway and Egypt. He developed the use of wrought iron tubular bridges. He was an M.P. from 1847 until his death. He is buried in Westminster Abbey.