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Mementoes and Celebrations
of a Railway
Parts of the old Canterbury-Whitstable Railway Line may have
disappeared and others may be in a state of some decay. However,
there is no doubt that the local people still regard it with
great fondness and demonstrate this in a variety of ways. On
this page, we look at some of the mementoes that have surfaced
and some of the ways in which individuals still celebrate the world's
first passenger line.
Walking the Line... in 1980
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Back on the 8th May 1980, a special 'Walking the Line'
event was organised. It attracted a large number of
participants... including Mike Hatton. Quite a number
of the slides featured in this week's Chat Column were taken during that journey.
The shot on the left was taken in South Street at the
entrance to the Canterbury-Whitstable cycle path. At this
point, the path shadows the old line before merging with
it in Clowes Wood. (Photo by Mike
Hatton © Mike Hatton)
Stewart Tilley was also amongst the group and he tells
me that some private sections of line were opened for the
occasion to enable walkers to follow the precise course of
the track. In fact one kindly owner provided
refreshments! |
Commemorative Stamp...
The 8th May 1980 was also celebrated in a commemorative stamp
as Mike's photo below shows....
(Photo by Mike Hatton © Mike
Hatton)
Law an Order on the C&WR
It's amazing how elements of Whitstable history
turn up around both the UK and, indeed, the world. This
includes elements of the C&W Railway.
A while back, we received a message from Tony
Hoskins at the Gloucestershire, Worcestershire,
Railwaymania Auction (GWRA) to let us know that a
fascinating piece of local memorabilia would be coming under the
hammer on 20 May 2006.....
Photos reproduced with kind
permission of the GWRA
It is believed to be a railway police truncheon from
the old Canterbury-Whitstable Railway. I wonder whether
current railway budgets would run to something quite so elaborate
in our modern, cost-cutting era . That crown suggests that
C&WR policemen were permitted to hit people "by
appointment".
Two other truncheons from Kent were sold on the
same day... but they were smaller. So, it seems that our railway
policemen may have had the biggest truncheons in the county.
If you are interested in railway memorabilia and
want to find out what is currently on offer, visit the GWRA web
site at... www.gwra.co.uk
The Flywheel.....
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(Photo by Peter Dalrymple
© Peter Dalrymple)
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Not all "small" mementoes of the line are
necessarily "small". Mike Hatton and
Peter Dalrymple recently discovered this exhibit in Gas
Lane Canterbury - some distance from the site of the old
railway..
With the Invicta locomotive unable to cope with the
steep inclines between Whitstable and Canterbury, trucks
and carriages were hauled by static engines for much of
the route. Mike and Peter believe that the object may
be the flywheel from just such an engine.
If anyone can provide more detail, please let us
know.
Oh....and by the way.... if you are thinking of getting
one for your garden, be warned. Peter estimates its
diameter as between 12 and 15 ft! |
New Gates for Old
Much of the railway lands at the Canterbury terminus have
been redeveloped for housing. However, the line is still
celebrated. This photo was taken recently.....
(Photo by Peter Dalrymple ©
Peter Dalrymple)
Peter tells me that it occupies a location where a level
crossing gate may have been positioned. However, we are not
sure if this is an original gate or a replica.
What's in a Name?
The railway has been celebrated in the names of various local
businesses and establishments. This pub sign was
photographed by Mike in Station Road (Canterbury) some years
ago....
(Photo by Mike Hatton © Mike
Hatton)
It isn't just the citizens to the south that
have made a fuss of the line. At Whitstable harbour, we now have
a restaurant that uses the lines nickname... "The Crab and
Winkle".
The Crab and
Winkle Line Trust
Before we leave the Canterbury & Whitstable Railway Line
for this week, I would like to make a few general points and
include an important web link.
In recent weeks, I have been amazed by the level of interest
shown in the topic and I have been quite
taken by the fondness that people have shown for the old line. It
is also clear to me that the track's reputation extended beyond the confines of
railway history. From 1953, it had new life and created yet more
history as a popular walk and playground.
I have a bit of trouble relating this swell of interest to the
reality of decades of decay and destruction. Economics suggest
that the line will never see another train but, surely, its
history as a public pedestrian and cycle path could be recreated.
Here I would urge people to visit the web site of The Crab
& Winkle Trust at....
http://www.crabandwinkle.org/
The Trusts aims are to re-establish the trackway for public
access and to promote the history of the line. Their web
site is packed with information, photos and news.
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