The East Kent Light Railway was opened in 1912 to support development of the East Kent Coalfield. Passenger traffic began in 1916. It ran from a junction on the Chatham Line at Shepherdswell 10.25 miles to Wingham, connecting several pits. After World War I, the company owning Tilmanstone pit became interested in using Richborough Port for coal exports, so in 1925 a 2.25 mile branch was opened from Eastry to Sandwich, the extension to Richborough Port being completed in 1928. Passenger services to Richborough started in the same year, but were withdrawn in November, the passenger coach on the mixed train being decoupled at Eastry. In 1925, a mile long extension from Wingham Colliery to Canterbury Road was constructed. Wingham colliery closed in 1935, and only Tilmanstone colliery remained open. The railway survived to nationalisation in 1948. All general freight traffic ceased beyond Eythorne shortly afterwards, the track being taken up.