South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society

In a country that was once so well served by an extensive railway system, it is a somewhat sobering exercise to be reminded of what has been lost from this network and to reflect upon what 'might have been' in our corner of Essex had the original network survived.  Stow Maries, Cold Norton, Maldon, Langford and Wickham Bishops might have been quite different places for each had a railway station or halt at one time.

The town of Maldon was once served by two branch lines. The Maldon-Witham line opened in 1848 and the line between Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers (then more usually called Woodham Ferris) in 1889. These branch lines had sharply contrasting histories: the former provided a passenger service for an impressive 116 years, closing in 1964; whilst the Maldon-Woodham Ferris branch was far less successful and finished carrying passengers in 1939 after just 50 years of service.  Fortunatley however each branch has left rich legacy of photographs dating from the time of their operation and some of these images will form the basis of a presentation to the meeting of the South Woodham Ferrers Local History Society when Nathaniel Dodd will be making a welcome return visit to share some more of his extensive Essex railway archive and provide a "trip through time" on the Maldon branch lines - which will include some rarely seen pictures of Woodham.

The talk "Maldon's Branch Railway Lines" will be held at 8:00pm on Wednesday 6th February at Champions Manor Hall, Hullbridge Road, CM3 5LJ.

Visitors are welcome to attend (admission £3) subject to seat availability at what is certain to be a popular event in the Local History Society's varied calendar. Alternatively, visitors may join the Society when they arrive - at the reduced (half-year) rate of just £5 which gives admission to all four of the Society's remaining monthly meetings from now until May 2019.  Any inquiries, please telephone 01245 321518.