Text input from Michael Bashford
This photograph shows my (Michael Bashford) Great-grandfather John William Smith.
He was one of the first drivers of the trains from Westerham to Dunton Green soon after the line opened in 1881.
He started his working life as a porter at Tonbridge Station and it is believed that he moved to Westerham to become a driver. As my cousin who worked for British Rail has told be it was traditional for novice drivers to begin their career on a 'Branch line'
I'm not sure when the picture was taken but can safely say that it was before 1919 as this was when my G-grandfather died.
I was born at 46 Madan Road, which I am told was once the Station Master's house.
This photo hung in the sitting room at 46 Madan Road ever since I can remember. Unfortunately Dad cannot remember where it came from or who took it.
He believes it was taken at Westerham station, which my railway history research proves is quite probable, and would have been in the last years of the 1890s or earliest years of the 1900s.
This is because J.W. Smith in the 1901 census lived at 7, South Bank Westerham, and the locomotive in the picture was not built until 1892 at Ashford.
This is one of the reasons I believe he moved from Tonbridge to Westerham for his first driving job (branch line duties) after being promoted from fireman at Tonbridge depot.
The locomotive and passenger coach are of a type used on the Westerham branch at that time.
Unfortunately there isn't enough in the photo to give any clues.
I remember the railway very well. I was 7 when it was closed down and spent many Mondays watching the cattle and sheep being herded from the train to the market field, which is now home to Quebec Avenue etc.
Best regards
Michael Bashford.
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