The Cranbrook & Paddock Wood Railway (C&PWR) was a branch
line, constructed in sections, starting from the main line
intersection at Paddock Wood and going through Horsmonden,
Goudhurst and Cranbrook. An additional section was then later added
to a southern terminus at Hawkhurst.
A further proposed extension on to Rye was never built.
It was locally known as the ‘Primrose Line’ as the
speed on the uphill stretch between Cranbrook & Goudhurst was
such, that you could hop off the front coach, pop into the woods to
pick a bunch of primroses and still catch the second coach!
Holman Stephens, later known as Colonel Stephens, was the resident
engineer during construction. The line was single throughout, with
passing loops provided at all three intermediate stations, though
only Goudhurst had two platforms. A short bay platform was provided
at Hawkhurst. Goods traffic was mainly fruit and hops outwards and
coal inwards. One mainstay was the transport of a million potted
plants a year on behalf of F. W. Woolworth to branches all over the
country.
From the outset traffic on the line was light, due in part to the
inconvenient locations of stations, although extra traffic was
generated during the summer hop picking season.
Also from the off, all train services were operated by the South
Eastern Railway, though the Cranbrook and Paddock Wood Railway was
not officially absorbed until 1900.
Horsmonden Station
Horsmonden Station in 1960 (Photo by J. L. Smith)
Horsmonden Station was located on the north side of Goudhurst Road,
unusually close to the village and had a single platform located on
the up-side of the line. The station was provided with a loop,
which also served a fruit packing station. The station had a
single-storey corrugated iron clad building, typical of those built
by Col. Stephens. There was a two-road goods yard at the back of
the station, with a three-storey brick stationmaster's house facing
onto the road.
The main station building survives and is in use as a local
business. The station master's house is in private occupation next
door.
Across the road Station Oast has a very interesting figure on
the cowl vane.
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So to the cache itself!
You are looking for a Bison capsule: NOTE- You will need to supply
your own pen!
Other caches in this series:-
Long Lost Railway Stations #1
Hawkhurst
Long Lost Railway Stations #2
Cranbrook
Long Lost Railway Stations #3
Goudhurst