Brookland Halt (or Brookland Station) (Closed) and Brookland Crossing
The station is located directly adjacent to the main A259 (Straight Lane) and the track crosses the main road at Brookland Level Crossing, which is the only crossing on the branch to have standard automatic flashing red lights to halt road traffic. There are no barriers. The crossing is designated as an Automatic Open Crossing, Locally Monitored (AOCL).
The station served Brookland village (to the south west) and has been wrongly named as Brenzett Station (another local village) in some reference works. It has never carried that name.
The branch actually runs south east from Appledore. The convention adopted in these collections is that Appledore is north, Dungeness is south, the New Romney side of the branch is east, and the Lydd side of the branch is west.
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The main station building at Brookland Halt ceased to be used in 1921 and was sold in the 1930s for use as a dwelling. It remained little changed for many years. This view north looks towards the original station entrance on 02.09.2005. Access to the platform was available from a gate which was just in front of the window on the left. An early view taken in about 1920 shows a sign on the wall between the window and the door which said Telegraph Office.
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A second view of the original building at Brookland Halt, which shows the platform side of the building on 02.09.2005. The platform is actually still in situ but covered in undergrowth and debris (see later pictures).
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An image of Brookland Halt, taken on 4 February 1967 by Ben Brooksbank and freely available under Creative Commons Licence. The picture catches both platforms apparently intact although by that time there was no track adjacent to the main building and all services used the platform nearest to the camera. Note the shelter and running in board on the platform, and the canopy attached to the main building. Unfortunately my website automatically overprints all images, but I acknowledge that ownership rests with Ben Brooksbank.
After many years in original condition Brookland Halt has been significantly improved and extended. This picture shows a complete new extension, sympathetic to the original building, together with a new roof and general improvements. On the corner of the building nearest to the camera you can still see the position of the gate which gave access to the platform. 27.09.2008
brookland haltbrookland stationA259straight lanehobbs public bridleway old house lanedungeness branch
A closer view of the refurbished original building at Brookland Halt shows that spoil and weeds that had been hiding the former platform have been removed. The building served the original Down platform, which was taken out of use in 1921. The platform originally had three lamps, two free standing and one attached to the building. Above the two windows furthest from the camera is a tiny raised section of the wall where the lamp was fixed. When in use as a station the end of the building nearest the camera was finished in plain brickwork, with only the section including the final three windows rendered and painted white. A vertical mark on the wall shows the original boundary between the paintwork and brickwork. 27.09.2008
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Taken from the level crossing over the A259 road this view shows the position of the station in relation to the main road. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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In this view north, taken from Brookland level crossing on 02.09.2005, the old station building is concealed by the back of the sign on the right, but the picture relects the rather neglected state of the area in 2005.
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A slightly different view of the refurbished building, taken from the level crossing, shows the modern extension. The Down platform originally had a small canopy covering the two windows nearest to the camera. On the left the area of raised ground marks the position of the Up platform, which also had a small shelter and canopy. A path led from the level crossing to the Up platform. Both the path and the Up platform also had free standing lamps. After the main station building was sold a small brick building was erected alongside the A259 (Straight Lane) to accommodate the single member of staff. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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North of Brookland Halt, Hobbs Public Bridleway (Old House Lane) crosses the line, providing a viewpoint from which to look south at the station. 27.09.2008
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Taken with a longer lens, this view shows the northern end of the old Brookland Halt building and the former Down platform. A chain link fence has been erected at the rear of the platform although when the station was open a more traditional wooden fence stood there. A Gents was available at the corner of the station building nearest the camera. The modern black cross on a white background warns train drivers of the level crossing. 27.09.2008
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Moving the camera slightly to the right this view shows the undergrowth which covers the remains of the Up platform. On the extreme right, at the end of the Up platform nearest the camera, there was originally a signal box. This closed in the 1920s when the passing loop at the station was lifted. Either side of the station the line has always been single track. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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A further adjustment to the camera provides a more general view south through the station site towards the level crossing. Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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Using a very long lens, this is a close up of the Stop board in advance of the level crossing over the A259. The approaching train triggers flashing red lights at the crossing, and a white light illuminates above the Stop board to indicate that the lights are operating. Nevertheless the A259 (Straight Lane) is a very fast road and the instruction to Whistle is certainly necessary! Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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At the limit of my long lens, this is the point at which trains cross the A259. There were originally old style full level crossing gates here, with a gate keeper. Nowadays the crossing is little used, except by the freight traffic, and motorists invariably approach at speeds which might prevent them from obeying the flashing red lights. Trains have priority, but if I was the engine driver I would be very careful here! Brookland Halt 27.09.2008
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The final shot from the viewpoint on Hobbs Public Bridleway (Old House Lane) north of the station. Turning round, this shot looks north away from Brookland Halt, towards Appledore. 27.09.2008
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Returning to Brookland level crossing this view looks east across the line. Even with a clear road taking pictures of this crossing is awkward because of the speed of approaching traffic. At some times of the day the sun also shines directly on to the traffic lights, making them difficult to observe. The effect can be seen on the right hand lights. I was uncertain why a white cross was provided on the right. The normal marking is on the left. 27.09.2008
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Brookland level crossing looking west. At the time of year the picture was taken the low sun shines directly at approaching drivers, restricting the clarity of the view of the crossing (and also making photography difficult). 27.09.2008
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Brookland level crossing looking south towards Dungeness. The next road crossing, just around the bend, is Boarmans Crossing. 27.09.2008. Subsequent crossings are covered in a separate gallery.
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An identical view south from Brookland level crossing on 02.09.2005 reflecting the rather neglected state of the line at the time. As can be seen from the previous picture it has since improved. In the distance the barriers protecting Culvert 1841 can just be seen either side of the track.
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