The branch line from Sittingbourne to Sheerness-on-Sea is where Kent Community Rail Partnership began in 2003, connecting communities to their local station and the opportunities provided through access to the railway.

Sittingbourne and Kemsley are both famous for the paper production and while the mill at Sittingbourne has closed, Kemsley continues to flourish.

Close to Sittingbourne station is the Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway, an award winning preserved 2ft 6″ steam railway that used to connect the mills at the two communities to Ridham Dock on the Swale Estuary. 

Swale station gives access to marshland to explore and is also the closest station to the area of Iwade. The line passes through a mix of residential, industrial and salt marsh landscapes before reaching the historic town of Queenborough, once site of a royal castle and ferry services to Holland. The line terminates at Sheerness-on-Sea, once a naval dockyard and now home to a busy commercial port.

Sheerness has also been a favourite destination for holidaymakers from London who could easily reach the Isle of Sheppey by train. 

We would like to thank “Rainham Rail Enthusiast” for allowing us to link his video of the line.