Dungeness Branch - Tour 2 - Brookland Halt (or Brookland Station) (Closed) and Brookland Crossing
1st January 2005 to 31st December 2008

Brookland Halt was opened on 7 December 1881 and was originally designated Brookland Station, being shown as such in pictures from the 1920s and in early Ordnance Survey maps. It was subsequently redesignated as a Halt and the old station building became a dwelling. Passenger services were withdrawn from the Branch on 6 March 1967.

The station is located directly adjacent to the main A259 (Straight Lane) and the track crosses the main road at Brookland Level Crossing, which is the only crossing on the branch to have standard automatic flashing red lights to halt road traffic. There are no barriers.

The station served Brookland village (to the south west) and has been wrongly named as Brenzett Station (another local village) in some reference works. It has never carried that name.

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The main station building at Brookland Halt ceased to be used in 1921 and was sold in the 1930s for use as a dwelling. It remained little changed for many years. This view west looks towards the original station entrance on 02.09.2005. Access to the platform was available from a gate which was just in front of the window on the left. An early view taken in about 1920 shows a sign on the wall between the window and the door which said Telegraph Office.
The main station building at Brookland Halt ceased to be used in 1921 and was sold in the 1930s for use as a dwelling. It remained little changed for many years. This view west looks towards the original station entrance on 02.09.2005. Access to the platform was available from a gate which was just in front of the window on the left. An early view taken in about 1920 shows a sign on the wall between the window and the door which said Telegraph Office.
 A second view of the original building at Brookland Halt, which shows the platform side of the building on 02.09.2005. The platform is actually still in situ but covered in undergrowth (see later pictures).
A second view of the original building at Brookland Halt, which shows the platform side of the building on 02.09.2005. The platform is actually still in situ but covered in undergrowth (see later pictures).
 After many years in original condition Brookland Halt has recently been significantly improved and extended. This picture shows a complete new extension, sympathetic to the original building, together with a new roof and general improvements. On the corner of the building nearest to the camera you can still see the position of the gate which gave access to the platform. 27.09.2008
After many years in original condition Brookland Halt has recently been significantly improved and extended. This picture shows a complete new extension, sympathetic to the original building, together with a new roof and general improvements. On the corner of the building nearest to the camera you can still see the position of the gate which gave access to the platform. 27.09.2008
 A closer view of the refurbished original building at Brookland Halt shows that spoil and weeds that had been hiding the former platform have been removed. The building served the original Down platform, which was taken out of use in 1921. The platform originally had three lamps, two free standing and one attached to the building. Above the two windows furthest from the camera is a tiny raised section of the wall where the lamp was fixed. When in use as a station the end of the building nearest the camera was finished in plain brickwork, with only the section including the final three windows rendered and painted white. A vertical mark on the wall shows the original boundary between the paintwork and brickwork. 27.09.2008
A closer view of the refurbished original building at Brookland Halt shows that spoil and weeds that had been hiding the former platform have been removed. The building served the original Down platform, which was taken out of use in 1921. The platform originally had three lamps, two free standing and one attached to the building. Above the two windows furthest from the camera is a tiny raised section of the wall where the lamp was fixed. When in use as a station the end of the building nearest the camera was finished in plain brickwork, with only the section including the final three windows rendered and painted white. A vertical mark on the wall shows the original boundary between the paintwork and brickwork. 27.09.2008
Taken from the level crossing over the A259 road this view shows the position of the station in relation to the main road. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
Taken from the level crossing over the A259 road this view shows the position of the station in relation to the main road. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
 In this view east, taken from Brookland level crossing on 02.09.2005, the old station building is concealed by the back of the sign on the right, but the picture relects the rather neglected state of the area in 2005.
In this view east, taken from Brookland level crossing on 02.09.2005, the old station building is concealed by the back of the sign on the right, but the picture relects the rather neglected state of the area in 2005.
 A slightly different view of the refurbished building, taken from the level crossing, shows the modern extension. The Down platform originally had a small canopy covering the two windows nearest to the camera. On the left the area of raised ground marks the position of the Up platform, which also had a small shelter and canopy. A path led from the level crossing to the Up platform. Both the path and the Up platform also had free standing lamps. After the main station building was sold a small brick building was erected alongside the A259 (Straight Lane) to accommodate the single member of staff. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
A slightly different view of the refurbished building, taken from the level crossing, shows the modern extension. The Down platform originally had a small canopy covering the two windows nearest to the camera. On the left the area of raised ground marks the position of the Up platform, which also had a small shelter and canopy. A path led from the level crossing to the Up platform. Both the path and the Up platform also had free standing lamps. After the main station building was sold a small brick building was erected alongside the A259 (Straight Lane) to accommodate the single member of staff. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
 West of Brookland Halt a bridleway and public footpath crosses the line, providing a viewpoint from which to look east at the station. 27.09.2008
West of Brookland Halt a bridleway and public footpath crosses the line, providing a viewpoint from which to look east at the station. 27.09.2008
Taken with a longer lens, this view shows the western end of the old Brookland Halt building and the former Down platform. A chain link fence has been erected at the rear of the platform although when the station was open a more traditional wooden fence stood there. A Gents was available at the corner of the station building nearest the camera. The modern black cross on a white background warns drivers of the level crossing. 27.09.2008
Taken with a longer lens, this view shows the western end of the old Brookland Halt building and the former Down platform. A chain link fence has been erected at the rear of the platform although when the station was open a more traditional wooden fence stood there. A Gents was available at the corner of the station building nearest the camera. The modern black cross on a white background warns drivers of the level crossing. 27.09.2008
 Moving the camera slightly to the right this view shows the undergrowth which covers the remains of the Up platform. On the extreme right, at the end of the Up platform nearest the camera, there was originally a signal box. This closed in the 1920s when the passing loop at the station was lifted. Either side of the station the line has always been single track. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
Moving the camera slightly to the right this view shows the undergrowth which covers the remains of the Up platform. On the extreme right, at the end of the Up platform nearest the camera, there was originally a signal box. This closed in the 1920s when the passing loop at the station was lifted. Either side of the station the line has always been single track. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
 A further adjustment to the camera provides a more general view east through the station site towards the level crossing. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
A further adjustment to the camera provides a more general view east through the station site towards the level crossing. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
 Using a very long lens, this is a close up of the Stop board in advance of the level crossing over the A259. The approaching train triggers flashing red lights at the crossing, and a white light illuminates above the Stop board to indicate that the lights are operating. Nevertheless the A259 (Straight Lane) is a very fast road and the instruction to Whistle is certainly necessary! Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
Using a very long lens, this is a close up of the Stop board in advance of the level crossing over the A259. The approaching train triggers flashing red lights at the crossing, and a white light illuminates above the Stop board to indicate that the lights are operating. Nevertheless the A259 (Straight Lane) is a very fast road and the instruction to Whistle is certainly necessary! Brookland Halt 27.09.2008

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