Tunnel Railway: Narrow Gauge Ramsgate Kent Broadstairs Ramsgate Harbour Ramsgate Harbour Dumpton Park

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The Tunnel Railway was a narrow gauge underground railway in Ramsgate, Kent, England.

Following the
restructuring of railway lines in Ramsgate in 1926 a section of main line between Broadstairs and
Ramsgate Harbour including a tunnel was abandoned. In 1936 a narrow gauge railway was opened in
the disused tunnel to connect tourist attractions and shops near Ramsgate harbour with the new railway
main line at Dumpton Park. Except for its two stationsone at each end of the tunnelthe line ran
entirely underground. The line was built in less than three months, and on its completion in 1936 was
one of the shortest independent railway lines in the country. It was open for only three years before
being converted to a major air-raid shelter during World War II. After the war's end, it was not included
in the 1948 nationalisation of British railways but remained in private hands. Passenger numbers fell
during the 1960s, and the line became economically nonviable. Following a train crash in 1965, the
owners decided to close at the end of September that year. The tunnel still exists (pictured), but no trace
of the stations remains.

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