Station Name: SWANLEY JUNCTIONjunction_old19.jpg)
In 1959 when this photograph was taken, work was underway to quadruple the tracks from Swanley Junction towards Bickley Junction (Chislehurst). The work included a complete rebuild of the stations at Swanley and St Mary Cray, the former being only twenty years old at the time. In this view the 'new new' Swanley station is just behind the camera and the disused Swanley Junction station, or what remained of it, can be seen in the distance. The foliage and shirtless men suggest that the photograph was taken during the summer, but at a time when much of this work involved sheer hard graft breaking out into a sweat was no doubt not difficult. The two suited people in the foreground, backs to the camera, were probably foremen or perhaps the hated 'time and motion' people. Today people holding managerial or supervisory positions would far outnumber the workers but, scoffing aside, much of the one-time manual work is now undertaken by rather clever on-track machinery. Of the two cranes here present, that in the background is a steam crane. That nearest the camera is a diesel crane, perhaps one of the many conversions from steam. It is certainly nice and clean even if the paint scheme was drab. This crane appears to be in all-over grey and many so-painted went on to receive yellow truck frames and yellow panels on the outer end of the cabins. Unfortunately the data panel on the side of the crane is unreabable so nothing else about the crane can be determined other than its obvious make. Whilst people are all too ready to grumble about delays, cancellations and rail replacement buses it should remembered that permanent way workers and indeed others work overnight, at weekends and over public holidays, including Christmas to keep the railway in good shape and - irrespective of what they may be paid - they should be commended for this.
Photo from Swanley History Group junction_old20.jpg) Swanley stationmaster's house, No 18 Station Road is seen circa 1950s. The houses on the north side of Station Road were demolished circa 1960 but No 18 survived until circa early 1970s (although it is still shown on 1985 OS map). It was the first house to be built in 1862 in what was to become the town of Swanley Junction.
Photo from Swanley History Group junction_old19.jpg)
The up main line platform and station building at Swanley Junction seen from a passing southbound main line train in 1957. The goods yard is seen on the far side of the Goldsel Lane bridge.
Photo
from John Mann collection
junction11.jpg) Looking west towards Swanley Junction at the Down side goods yard in 1960. Goldsel Road bridge is seen in the distance, the station was beyond the bridge.
Photo by David Rice junction_old22.jpg) Swanley Junction goods yard in 1971, looking east from Goldsel Road bridge. Although the yard closed 16 May 1964, private sidings remained in use after that date. In 1971 the sidings, goods shed and cattle dock were still there and the yard was being used as a base for departmental stock. The yard has now been largely cleared and the site is now training facility for Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd.Photo
by Tom Burnham
junction8.jpg) Looking south along platform 4 of Swanley station in September 1985. A Gillingham train waits at the platform. The footbridge in the foreground does not give access to the platforms.
Photo by Alan Young junction9.jpg)
Looking north along platform 2 at Swanley station in February 2012. Trains for Sevenoaks and Ashford use this platform and London trains run from platforms 1 and 3. A Gillingham train stands at platform 4.
Photo by Alan Young junction10.jpg) Sevenoaks train leaving the mainline and passing the site of Swanley Junction
station in December 2013. Photo by Mark Chatterton from Branch Line Britain web site junction11.jpg)
A class 319 EMU passes the site of Swanley Junction station before pulling in to platform 1 at Swanley station in December 2013.
Photo by Mark Chatterton from Branch Line Britain web site junction2.jpg)
Looking west from Goldsel Road bridge at the site of the Sevenoaks line platforms at Swanley Junction station in April 2017. The station forecourt is to the right of the mobile phone mast. A northbound main line service is seen approaching Swanley station. (Ladder required to see over the 7ft-high bridge parapet!)
Photo
by Nick Catford
junction3.jpg)
A freight train heads south along the Sevenoaks line in April 2017 hauled by an EMD (Electromotive Division, General Motors) Class 66. It appears to be 66772 which is one of the GBRailfreight examples.
Photo by Nick Catford junction4.jpg)
Looking south-west from the High Street footbridge at the site of the main line Swanley Junction platforms in April 2017. Swanley station is seen in the distance.
Photo by Nick Catford junction5.jpg) Swanley Junction forecourt seen from Goldsel Road in April 2017. All trace of the station buildings has gone although a redundant telegraph pole next to the cellphone mast may have carried the telephone line to the station.
Photo by Nick Catford junction6.jpg)
Looking west along the approach road (originally part of Station Road) towards the site of Swanley Junction station in April 2017.
Photo
by Nick Catford
junction7.jpg)
Looking east from Goldsel Road bridge at the site of Swanley Junction goods yard in April 2017. The modern buildings have replaced the goods shed and sidings that were located here. This is a training facility for Westinghouse Rail Systems Ltd. In July 2008 one siding alongside the buildings was still in place but this has now been lifted.
Photo by Nick Catford
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