The Medway Valley Line runs from Strood in North Kent down to Paddock Wood in the Weald of Kent. It connects at each end with the main rail network, each junction offering onward journeys to London and the Kent Coast.
Maidstone West sits almost centrally along the line and to the north the line is mainly urban and industrial in nature. To the south it is predominantly rural, closely following the course of the River Medway as far as Yalding.
The line is now focussed on passenger traffic, but in the past freight played an important part, with large quantities of paper and cement traffic in the northern section and quantities of farm produce in the southern part. “Hoppers” were also an important seasonal clientele at one time for the rural section and special ramblers trains from London were also frequent visitors.
Through trains to London virtually ceased in 1984 and nowadays an hourly service operates from Maidstone to Paddock Wood and a half hourly service from Maidstone to Strood. On Sunday an hourly service throughout applies. Click here for the current timetable.
The line retains a heritage feel about it, with many of the original station buildings (now listed) remaining in situ, along with traditional signal boxes and manual crossing gates. Apart from Maidstone West, all intermediate stations are currently unstaffed. The old semaphore signals were replaced in 2005.
Since December 2006 the majority of services have been operated by class 466 2-car units equipped with toilets.
Following railway privatisation, the line has seen very little in the way of investment or promotion, being seen as very much a secondary route. Management time has been concentrated on the busier commuter routes to and from London. Never the less, the line has recently been resignalled throughout its length and all semaphore signals have been replaced by more modern colour lights.
Having been seen as being underused in recent times, representatives of local communities along its length met in August 2005 and agreed to set up a “line partnership” with a view to improving facilities at local stations and encouraging greater use of the line.
An "Action Plan" has now been agreed and progress will be reported here and in newsletters that will be available in the local communities.
Strood - Closest station to Rochester Castle & Cathedral as well as Upnor Castle.
Cuxton - North Downs Way and Ranscombe Farm Reserve
Snodland - Holborough Marshes Nature Reserve
New Hythe - Leybourne Lakes Country Park
Aylesford - The Friars
Maidstone West & Barracks - Maidstone Carriage Museum, River Boat rides, Town centre shops, cinemas and theatres. Medway Valley Walk and Millenium River Park
East Farleigh - Medway Valley Walk
Wateringbury - Medway Valley Walk
Yalding - Teapot Island, Yalding Organic Centre , Medway Valley Walk
Beltring - Paddock Wood Hop Farm (long walk)
Paddock Wood - Paddock Wood Hop Farm (Free bus connection)
For more information on how to reach local attractions go to John Hewes "Visit By Train" website. He currently has details and maps of the areas around Aylesford, Beltring, Maidstone West & Barracks, Snodland, Strood and Yalding stations on the Medway Valley Line. He also has details for many other stations in Kent
"Valley of Visions" is a new landscape partnership scheme that aims to conserve and enhance the heritage landscapes and biodiversity of the Medway Gap - the area of the Medway Valley from Allington Lock to the mouth of the river.
With five Medway Valley Line stations within the area, the Community Rail Partnership
will work with "Valley of Visions" to help promote sustainable access to the local countryside.
Click on the thumbnail on the right for more details of the events being organised by "Valley of Visions" or click on www.valleyofvisions.org.uk to go to their website.
Download copies of our newsletters as "pdf" files by clicking on the dates. Many thanks to Southeastern who have generously printed the Spring 2007 newsletter on our behalf.
Winter 2007/08 MVL Service "Designation". Passenger Focus. Wateringbury Junior School.
Spring 2007 New Line Guide. "The Victory" Special Offer. Snodland Festival. East Farleigh.
Autumn 2006 MVL150 Event on 18th June. Music Train. Paddock Wood Buffet. Goodbye to Class 508's.
Spring 2006 Introduction to the Line Partnership. Who's Who. New leaflets. Govia win franchise.
Details of connecting bus services can now be found on a separate page. Click on the photo below to get to that page.
For more information about the Medway Valley Line Community Rail Partnership, please contact either Nigel Whitburn or Ian Paterson on 01303 850816.