Branch Lines to Maldon

The ancient town of Maldon on the River Blackwater in Essex was served by two branch lines which enjoyed vastly differing fortunes. The initial scheme, the Maldon, Witham & Braintree Railway, authorised in 1846, was absorbed by the Eastern Counties. Following the formation of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862, improvements were made to the Maldon branch over the years. Then, in 1883, the GER promoted their 'New Essex Lines' scheme, constructing railways from Shenfield to Southend with a branch from Woodham Ferrers to Maldon. This second branch to Maldon opened in October 1889, with only one train in each direction on Saturdays, and were withdrawn in 1895. Whilst traffic continued to grow on the Witham to Maldon East branch, the same could not be said of the new line. This book explores both lines.