IT WAS OPENED ON 3 MAY 1830 WITH STATIONS AT CANTERBURY WEST AND WHITSTABLE HARBOUR ONLY. THE RAILWAY WAS CLOSED TO PASSENGERS ON 31 DECEMBER 1930 AND TO ALL TRAFFIC ON 1 DECEMBER 1952. HOWEVER THE FOLLOWING YEAR IT WAS REOPENED FROM 6-28 FEBRUARY TO CARRY ESSENTIAL SERVICES FROM CANTERBURY TO WHITSTABLE AS A RESULT OF THE SEVERE COASTAL FLOODING THAT OCCURRED ALONG THE EAST COAST OF THE UK EARLY IN 1953.
