Slam-Door EMUs on the Sheerness Line

The eight mile long branch line in Kent that runs from the Chatham Main Line to Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey was electrified in 1959 as part of the 'Kent Coast Electrification' scheme. In the 1990s services to and from Sittingbourne were largely handed by the Southern's Class 411 (4CEP) units which could be seen elsewhere in Kent too. Of interest in this short film is the Swale bridge in operation with its lifting deck and the appearance of freight traffic using the line and hauled by a class 58 locomotive.

[@richardcook2606]

I have lived in Sittingbourne since 2006 and in that relatively short time, the line has been operated by Class 508s, 466/2s and latterly 475/3s

[@johnhenstock9668]

Very good!

[@foretrak]

Thanks!

[@tomburnham5119]

Pleased to see you included a couple of freight trains, not something you see on the line now.

[@philboorman231]

Hi John, great to see the branch. I started my railway career at Sittingbourne, it was 2 Hap units used on the branch (early 80s). I also did a stint as a bridge operator at Kingsferry in 1992 for a few months. I could go on, thank you. Phil

[@foretrak]

Thanks Phil, that's interesting to hear from someone who worked on the line.

[@johnspurgeon9083]

I wonder how much that yacht owner had to pay to get the bridge open!

[@philboorman231]

@@johnspurgeon9083 John, nothing at all. The river has the ‘Right of Way’ they either called on the Marine band Radio to the bridge or hauled a bucket up the mast. Either way and the bridge operator would lift the bridge when they could.