Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Former 19th and 20th century Naval military railway that connected munitions and military depots around Hoo. It runs from the Lodge Hill enclosure, on through the Chattenden enclosure, passing through Lutnor junction and Chattenden depot before running to Upnor and a little way beyond it to the pontoon hard. The railway first started in 1873, and taken over by the Navy in 1891. The line was extended around 1905. The last train ran in May 1961.

Monument Types

• RAILWAY (Post Medieval to Modern - 1873 AD to 1961 AD)

Full description

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Remains of railway used to transport ammunition from nearby river piers to/from the magazines at Chattenden. A short length of the 2 ft. 6-in. gauge line remains. In fair condition. (1) Seen in 2004: Rails seen, no longer in use. Fair condition (6)

From the source: " The story of the Lodge Hill & Upnor Railway begins in 1873 when a Manning Wardle 1ft 6in gauge locomotive named BURGOYNE was sent to the Royal Engineers at Upnor to assist in the construction of a light railway, which was to be known as the Chattenden & Upnor Railway. Some of the line must have been laid to 4ft 8½in gauge. Chattenden Barracks (just behind the Railway Depot) was then the centre of the School of Military Engineering. By 1875 work had progressed so well that there were some four miles of track from Pontoon Hard, via Tank Field and Church Crossing to the Railway Depot with a spur line going from the crossing towards Lower Upnor, as well as a one and a half mile line from Chattenden to Hoo Creek.
In 1891 the Admiralty took over from the Army full responsibility for the supply of armament stores to the Fleet, and in consequence acquired Upnor Depot; the railway subsequently accepted both Admiralty and Army traffic. In 1902 a new armament depot was built for the Admiralty in the Lodge Hill enclosure and in 1905 Chattenden enclosure was given over in exchange for Naval magazines in another district. About this time the narrow gauge line was extended to the east end of Lodge Hill and a transfer point made with the standard gauge line running to Sharnal Street."
(7)

1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10020.

1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10020.

1945, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9892.

1945, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9892.

1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9871.

1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9871.

2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10397.

2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10397.

<1> Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy, Thames Gateway Assesment: Gazetteer of Defence Sites (Index). SKE6445.

<2> 2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10397.

<3> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10020.

<4> 1945, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9892.

<5> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9871.

<6> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.

<7> Canterbury Archaeological Trust, 2008, Report on Evaluation Trenching at Henbury Manor, Elham (Unpublished document). SKE16253.

Sources and further reading

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