An afternoon train photographed at Brasted station on the last day of services, October 28th 1961. Adorned with a Union Jack, someone had chalked on the boiler plate door “Farewell to the Flyer 1881 – 1961” the Westerham Valley Railway, come and gone in only eighty years…
Reference: WH0154
On October 30th 2011 the Spa Valley Railway simulated the final days of the Westerham Valley Railway to commemorate 50 years since the closure of the branch line. Here a train of four coaches recreates the final day of services, Saturday October 28th 1961 appearing to chuff its way past Chevening Halt heading for Brasted. ...
Reference: WH0153
During the early 1960s there was an attempt to reopen the line by a body who formed themselves as the Westerham Valley Railway Association. Here we see two members of the ‘ganging team’ working on a plate-layer’s trolly in 1962.
Reference: WH0180
Several large employers would give their workers an annual summer outing, by rail or coach, often to the sea-side. Here we see workers and their families from Westerham Nursery en-route to Margate in the 1950s.
Reference: WH0166
This photograph taken from Thomas Weller’s builders yard in 1902 shows bunting strung across the road to celebrate the Coronation of Edward VII. The photograph is probably attributable to Weller’s neighbour, Frederick Benson.
Reference: WH1053