Dungeness Branch - Tour 4 - Lydd Town Station (formerly Lydd Station) (Closed) and Lydd Town Crossing
1st January 2005 to 31st December 2008

Opened on 7 December 1881 as Lydd Station, on 4 July 1937 the station was renamed Lydd Town to prevent confusion with a newly opened station at Lydd-on-Sea.

Lydd Town Station was a substantial facility, with a large goods yard and much passenger and freight traffic generated by nearby army camps. A branch ran south from the goods yard into the army camps, which were served by Lydd Military Railway. A passing loop was provided at the station, but this has subsequently been lifted. The station was closed to passenger traffic on 6 March 1967 and to freight on 4 October 1971. Part of the site is now used as a recycling facility.

If open today Lydd Town Station would serve a growing town, which is just south of the site, and a short extension to the line could also provide much improved transport facilities to Lydd Airport (also known as London Ashford), linking directly to Ashford International Station.

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Originally called Lydd Station, Lydd Town Station was renamed in 1937 when Lydd-on-Sea Station opened further to the east. This view looking south dates from 08.08.2005 and shows the exterior structure largely intact, but in a sad condition.
Originally called Lydd Station, Lydd Town Station was renamed in 1937 when Lydd-on-Sea Station opened further to the east. This view looking south dates from 08.08.2005 and shows the exterior structure largely intact, but in a sad condition.
 This more recent view, taken on 27.09.2008 and looking south towards Dungeness, shows the situation largely unchanged on the platform side of the station.
This more recent view, taken on 27.09.2008 and looking south towards Dungeness, shows the situation largely unchanged on the platform side of the station.
This view of Station Approach, looking east and taken on 08.08.2005, shows the station entrance and the old goods shed. Lydd Town Station had a large goods yard and the siding serving the goods shed entered from the far end of the station and ran to the left of the goods shed, with goods being unloaded through the red door. The siding contnued past the shed and terminated to the bottom right of the photo, following the line of the high grass.
This view of Station Approach, looking east and taken on 08.08.2005, shows the station entrance and the old goods shed. Lydd Town Station had a large goods yard and the siding serving the goods shed entered from the far end of the station and ran to the left of the goods shed, with goods being unloaded through the red door. The siding contnued past the shed and terminated to the bottom right of the photo, following the line of the high grass.
 The entrance side of the Lydd Town Station building looking east on 02.09.2005. The old shed beyond the station had lasted well, as it appears in a historical picture of the station dating from 1958.
The entrance side of the Lydd Town Station building looking east on 02.09.2005. The old shed beyond the station had lasted well, as it appears in a historical picture of the station dating from 1958.
In 2008 it was no longer possible to take a wide angle view of the station forecourt, as part of the forecourt and goods yard is being used as a weekend waste and recycling transfer area. This results in significant vehicular traffic. Unfortunately the dustcarts and waste bins do not enhance the photograph and have been avoided. Note the old shed shown in the previous picture has been demolished. 27.09.2008
In 2008 it was no longer possible to take a wide angle view of the station forecourt, as part of the forecourt and goods yard is being used as a weekend waste and recycling transfer area. This results in significant vehicular traffic. Unfortunately the dustcarts and waste bins do not enhance the photograph and have been avoided. Note the old shed shown in the previous picture has been demolished. 27.09.2008
 Lydd Town station looking west on 27.09.2008. The old station building has been used by several firms since the station closed, including as a tyre fitting business. In consequence many of the interior walls have been removed. Additional secure boarding had been fitted nearest the camera to secure the building, perhaps as a consequence of the increased public visits to the waste transfer area of the forecourt. I assume the burnt area in the foreground is the remains of the old shed.
Lydd Town station looking west on 27.09.2008. The old station building has been used by several firms since the station closed, including as a tyre fitting business. In consequence many of the interior walls have been removed. Additional secure boarding had been fitted nearest the camera to secure the building, perhaps as a consequence of the increased public visits to the waste transfer area of the forecourt. I assume the burnt area in the foreground is the remains of the old shed.
 The platform side of Lydd Town Station looking west on 27.09.2008
The platform side of Lydd Town Station looking west on 27.09.2008
 This wider shot of Lydd Town Station, looking west, shows the level crossing and road bridge at the western end of the station. The overbridge is the only one on the line, but was insufficiently robust to carry heavy vehicles en route to the nearby power station. The level crossing was, therefore, constructed to carry this traffic. 27.09.2008
This wider shot of Lydd Town Station, looking west, shows the level crossing and road bridge at the western end of the station. The overbridge is the only one on the line, but was insufficiently robust to carry heavy vehicles en route to the nearby power station. The level crossing was, therefore, constructed to carry this traffic. 27.09.2008
The platform at Lydd Town Station is still in reasonable condition excluding the obvious problem with weeds. This view looks west on 27.09.2008
The platform at Lydd Town Station is still in reasonable condition excluding the obvious problem with weeds. This view looks west on 27.09.2008
 The remains of the canopy on the platform side of Lydd Town Station, in a very sad condition, although the supporting beams still appear very robust. They used good quality wood in the old days.... 27.09.2008
The remains of the canopy on the platform side of Lydd Town Station, in a very sad condition, although the supporting beams still appear very robust. They used good quality wood in the old days.... 27.09.2008
 Looking north from the platform, across the line, this is the old Station Master's house at Lydd Town Station. A path led directly from the house across the track to the station, it's position being marked by the disused fence post in the foreground. The path passed to the left of the post and through a gate in the fence behind the bush. 27.09.2008
Looking north from the platform, across the line, this is the old Station Master's house at Lydd Town Station. A path led directly from the house across the track to the station, it's position being marked by the disused fence post in the foreground. The path passed to the left of the post and through a gate in the fence behind the bush. 27.09.2008
 Looking east along the platform from the western end of Lydd Town Station. 27.09.2008
Looking east along the platform from the western end of Lydd Town Station. 27.09.2008

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© 1998-2009 Derek Hayward - All rights reserved - All copyrights rest with the Author
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