Hawkhurst & Westerham Branch Lines DVD

Description

The Westerham and Hawkhurst steam branches were attractive lines in Kent both serving the main London & Dover route.

Electrification of the main line and falling income from the branches were their downfall.

The usual excuse of future infrastructure costs also added fuel to the closure decisions.

Using film from Britain’s best cameramen, Online studies them both before and on closure days.

Hawkhurst in 1961 witnessed ‘Undertakers’ and a special toured the line a week later.

Also the Westerham branch closed in October 1961.

Meandering through some of the most lovely countryside famous for hill-top villages, hop gardens and wooded landscapes, the tracks with their little tank engines were a favourite location for the best of film-makers whose work is included here.

The H class and the occasional C class engines were the mainstay of the motive power, hauling rickety ancient coaches.

The programme edits the old films neatly and includes scenes filmed recently forty years after closure.

This film is introduced by Harry Hiscott former fireman – Hawkhurst Branch.

Approx. 58 minutes.

This product is being sold on behalf of and with full permission of Heritage in Motion.