Medway Valley Line facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Medway Valley line |
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Railways in Kent
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| Overview | |
| Status | Operational |
| Owner | Network Rail |
| Locale | Kent South East England |
| Termini | Strood Paddock Wood |
| Stations | 13 |
| Service | |
| Type | Suburban rail, Heavy rail |
| System | National Rail |
| Route number | 01 |
| Operator(s) | Southeastern |
| Rolling stock | Class 375 "Electrostar" Class 395 "Javelin" Class 465 "Networker" Class 466 "Networker" |
| History | |
| Opened | 1856 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 21 miles 19 chains (34.18 km) |
| Number of tracks | 2 |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
| Electrification | Third rail, 750 V DC |
| Operating speed | 70 mph (110 km/h) |
The Medway Valley line is a railway line in Kent, England. It connects the town of Strood and the nearby Medway Towns with Maidstone West. From there, it continues to Paddock Wood and Tonbridge. During busy times, some trains even go all the way to London St Pancras International.
This train line is special because the part from Maidstone West to Tonbridge travels through some of Kent's most beautiful countryside. It follows the narrower parts of the River Medway, offering great views.
Contents
Stations on the Medway Valley Line
The Medway Valley line serves many towns and villages. A train station is where people get on and off trains. Here are the stations you can find along this line:
- Strood
- Cuxton
- Halling
- Snodland
- New Hythe
- Aylesford
- Maidstone Barracks
- Maidstone West
- East Farleigh
- Wateringbury
- Yalding
- Beltring
- Paddock Wood
- Tonbridge
Trains on the Medway Valley Line
Different types of trains run on the Medway Valley line. These trains are designed for different speeds and purposes.
Class 375 "Electrostar" Trains
The main trains you will see on this line are the Class 375 Electrostars. These trains are very common in the South East of England. They usually have 3 or 4 carriages. They can travel up to 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).
Class 465 and 466 "Networker" Trains
Before 2012, Class 465 and Class 466 Networker trains were often used. Now, you might still see them if a Class 375 train isn't available or needs repairs. Class 465 trains have 4 carriages, and Class 466 trains have 2. They can reach speeds of 75 miles per hour (120 km/h). Sometimes, two Class 466 trains are joined together, or a Class 465 is used, especially during autumn when leaves can make tracks slippery.
Class 395 "Javelin" High-Speed Trains
Since May 2011, Class 395s have also been used on the Medway Valley line. These are special high-speed trains, sometimes called "Javelins." They offer a faster service between Maidstone West and St. Pancras International, going through Strood. These trains have 6 carriages and can go much faster, up to 140 miles per hour (225 km/h) on high-speed lines, and 100 miles per hour (160 km/h) on regular lines. They are mainly used during peak hours, which are the busiest times of the day for travel.
Images for kids
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A Class 395 "Javelin" train, used for high-speed services.
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A Class 375 "Electrostar" train arriving at Cuxton station.
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A Class 466 "Networker" train at Strood station.
