For 65 years Bowater’s paper mills in Kent were served by an extensive 2ft 6in gauge railway system. This connected the original mill at Sittingbourne with the large mill at Kemsley and a private dock at Ridham. Thousands of tons of coal, china clay, recycled paper, wood pulp, logs and finished paper were hauled by a total of sixteen narrow gauge and three standard gauge locos, in a twenty four hour operation to keep the mills running.However, with the dawn of modernisation in 1969 a portion of the route and stock soon became the Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway.
Within this bright new volume renowned enthusiast and model maker, Dave Hammersley presents a nostalgic glimpse of the railway in Bowater’s days, when the line was wellmaintained and working round the clock. Steam locomotives appear around every corner, surrounded by dramatic industrial landscapes. Each of the engines is pictured alongside a concise description, finally concluding with a brief look at the first year of preservation. An entertaining read and a snapshot of an important moment in railway history, this book is a must have for railway enthusiasts nationwide!
