ABANDONED Chatham Docks Railway & Radioactive Land

This is the abandoned railway that leads to the former Chatham Docks site in Gillingham. It has been covered by others on KZbin but I thought I would do my own take on it.
Chatham Docks is on the River Medway and in the last 10 years has slowly undergone redeveloped into apartment blocks and an Asda Superstore. A small part of the docks still exists which is rumoured to be closing in 2025. The docks were connected by railway to the Chatham Main Line and last saw use around 2010. It has now been completely severed from the main line. The end point to the former docks stops at the Asda Petrol Station.
During the cold war, Chatham Docks was used to maintain nuclear submarines in the three basins. A byproduct from maintaining the submarines was low level contaminated tools and personal protective equipment worn by the workers. This was disposed off by bagging up and burying it 5ft deep on land just in front of the Asda Superstore. This land has not undergone any redevelopment and is tested regularly for any abnormal radiation levels.
Here we take a look at the railway and the fenced off land where the nuclear contaminated waste is reportedly buried.
#Abandonedrailway #Nuclear #Abandonedplaces

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

There's something eerily captivating about exploring an old railway line, where the track is still in situ, and nobody conveys that sense more than morthren....

[@chrissharp5073]

I served on two ships based in Chatham. You wouldn't have guest there was an historic dockyard there now. Your filming of the old line gave a sense of loss that shows how as a seafaring nation we have declined. Well done for recording a little slice of history.

[@austin5714]

The video shows the former commercial docks only. The Navy historic docks are still there and a great day out.

[@glenntheoldft4210]

Watching this video put a lump in my throat and knotted up my stomach. Its so sad to see it like that. I used to drive trains up and down there in the 70s & 80s.

[@lupus67remus7]

You probably knew my uncle then! He ran trains up and down for a couple of years!

[@glenntheoldft4210]

@@lupus67remus7 My name is Glenn Ives. Would be interesting to know your Unc's name!

[@lupus67remus7]

@@glenntheoldft4210 Eric Gater

[@michaelnaisbitt1639]

The governments plan is to continue the down sizing of the rail network. Eventual plan is to have main lines only to the north and to the ports in south. Everything else is too costly to maintain

[@glenntheoldft4210]

@@lupus67remus7 The name Eric is familiar, however I don't recall the surname. Sorry about that. It's possible he was there while I spent a couple of years at Slade Green. It's also possible that my brain is getting rusty and I simply don't remember (a lot of things!)

[@djburland]

Amazing to see all tracks left in place, unlike the mad rush to rip them up in the 60’s

[@scorchx3000]

I'm surprised nobody's nicked em for scrap, in Sunderland someone stole a mile of abandoned track l.

[@andrewwhite1793]

The tracks were refurbished to remove thousands of tons of contaminated soil by train from the dockyard site before the houses on StMary's island were built.

[@annepegum3351]

I bet my late father-in-law would have remembered that line well as he served in the Royal Navy for over 30 years & spent many happy times at Chatham Docks. Cheers for another interesting video M.

[@glenjarnold]

Stephen Pegum My uncle was at Chatham too for the last few years of his service too before the docks closed. Wonder if they knew each other!?

[@jpjpish1830]

Radiation has had a terrable effect on the locals. Blank stares only able to tolerate nylon next to their skin

[@harryfountain9614]

Well atleast the have the furry coats now to help stop the radiation getting in

[@gabrielafilkin4754]

What do you mean?

[@markt1387]

You can hear the cry of the affected locals, foaming at the mouth, screaming, "Where's me Giro!!!???"

[@danielfisher6501]

They say it was the radiation that turned Billy the quid into the Billy the quid

[@LinesideSouthEast]

I photographed the contaminated spoil trains working along the Chatham Dockyard branch back in the 1990s. They were worked by class 33s and 56s. and the trains were tripped to Hoo Junction before onward movement to Forders for disposal. Sad to see the branch in this state.

[@brianartillery]

The site of what was one of Britain's most important Naval yards, now 'Wanker Flats™', and a big Asda? What a surprise. 🤔😡😠 12:08 - Note the pallet against the fence, where someone has climbed over. Fascinating video, as always. Thank you. I love the content you create. Nice one.

[@morthren]

The UK's industrial past is slowly being erased sadly. I didn't notice the pallet at first but see the hole cut in the fence at 10:12! and thank you

[@austin5714]

This area was the commercial docks only. The Royal Naval Docks are a mile up the road and a great place to visit

[@pwiller7980]

Peel Ports used to own this line, wether they still do I'm not sure. Peel Ports are now in the process of selling Chatham Docks for redevelopment and if this happens many businesses will have to go. This line was built to help build the Victorian extension of Chatham royal Dockyard and was heavily used during the first and second world wars. This was a missed opportunity, if the line had been retained, it could have been a direct link between the huge development on St Marys island and Gillingham railway station. But the powers to be decided it wasn't needed. So another piece of Medway history slowly being destroyed and no one in authority gives a damn. A brilliant video and brings back memories of my childhood as I only lived a couple of streets away from the branch line.

[@fastacesus8499]

Really like the style of these. Makes you feel like you are there. Hate the vids similar to this with endless talk talk talk... well done sir

[@morthren]

Thanks

[@gunsbartone]

I used to work at the old council depot in pier approach road and I remember them putting that new bridge up. I don’t ever recall seeing more than 10 trains using it in the years I was there. Nice video mate, how things have changed

[@ianleyburn4048]

Very atmospheric and really interesting, thank you very much for sharing this. Your video brought back a lot of memories to me as somebody who once lived in Gillingham. It has changed so much but you picked out a couple of things which remain from days gone by, most noticeably the bridges at Burnt Oak Terrace and Pier Road. Great stuff, thanks again.

[@mickd6942]

Bet you glow in the dark like Peckham spring mineral water now ,great video with no talking very atmospheric it’s like actually being there.

[@davidimhoff2118]

You should bring a geigercounter to see how radioactive the area is. I can't believe how close the waste is to the apartments and where people travel near.

[@TheFilwud]

Old clothing, rags, gloves, cloths etc. that'll be low level waste, buried on site like that you will not detect any radiation off it, levels will be very very low. These days anything like that has to go to the low level waste repository at Drigg, that sort of waste burial is very illegal these days. To get any sort of reading you would have to dig up some of the waste (Do not!) and use a contamination probe on it. Alpha and beta probes are very sensitive and will pick up tiny amounts of material, for the sort of radioactive contamination from a reactor you would have to use a beta probe.

[@paulanderson79]

There's a lot of misunderstanding about reactor waste and other nuclear waste artefacts. It's nowhere near as dangerous as we're led to believe. The rationale behind this being that there's a huge amount of money to be made from the 'management' and disposal of the stuff. The other thing that's misunderstood is just how little waste a commercial power reactor creates.

[@bigbadjohn10]

Just waving a Geiger counter around does not tell you anything unless you have the knowledge to interpret the results. Items dumped here were disposed of in an abundance of caution. It is likely that most would have no radioactive contamination at all. While the disposal techniques used would not meet today’s standards it is very unlikely that there would be raised levels on the site. Adjoining properties would be at no risk whatsoever.

[@paulanderson79]

@@bigbadjohn10 exactly correct. I am in complete agreement.

[@MervynPartin]

You are more at risk from radon coming from the ground (granite) in Cornwall.

[@Ruddigore]

Was based in Chatham 1970/73 on HMS Brighton, so sad to see what has become of this once great naval dockyard.

[@austin5714]

What you see in this video is most of the former commercial docks. The Royal Navy Docks a mile up the road or so is now Chatham Historic Dockyard and a great day out.

[@hojomo]

Thanks for walking this one Daz - brings back memories - I lived in Maidstone for 26 years & got over to Medway quite often - it was really good to be able to follow your walk on Google Maps too. I'll get this one out @4RailTrail as soon as I can.

[@SoiBuakhaoRoutemasterbus]

That low level nuclear waste is now burried at Stewartby in Bedfordshire. It was taken by train to a place called Forders Sidings which was a landfill site at Stewartby, filling in the pits dug to get clay for brick making. They ran for a few years in the early 1990s.

[@alexdean3794]

I live a 2 minute walk from this line and often venture down to have a look, it always confuses me why they have just left the rails in place. I would make an excellent walk way, or maybe a shuttle tram between the station and the new housing in the old Docks. Great video!

[@paulsharrow3004]

Are ya' no longer cofused there? They did not wa t to take it out foor, it could be that it was enveloped in radio iso topes...?

[@chrischeltenham]

As always a great video :-) love the chilled walkabout.

[@fastacesus8499]

Another great vid thank you for taking the time to post.

[@ShireWitch]

I enjoyed this, thanks. It's been a long time!

[@rlewis1946]

Fascinating exploration. Have you considered talking this same walk with a Geiger Counter in hand? It’s not that I am skeptical of the Ministry of Defence’s Policies to provide timely announcements of radiological dangers to the British public, but it might be instructive to take that walk. Best wishes from Buffalo, NY! RL

[@sgtgrash]

So much has changed since I moved from the area in 1979, it's unrecognisable to me now. The dockyard held annual, public open days when it was operational and one abiding memory is of my father and I watching the carrier HMS Ark Royal (with angled flight deck) being manouvered into the main Basin for one of these events, it was quite a sight. By the way, I remember a magnificent, multi-masted sailing ship named Arethusa which was moored at the end of Strood pier back then, have you any idea what happened to her? I believe she was a Navy cadet training ship.

[@grahamstubbs4962]

It looks like the Arethusa is being refitted in Germany: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_(ship)

[@rexoliver7780]

With all the shots of the "Keep Out" signs-so wanted to see what they are hiding-Well----with a little bushogging and forestry mulching--maybe we can see something in there.Neat exploration of the unused rail line-Just normal,natural sounds and no goofy music to spoil it!Need more videos like this!

[@BrianSeaman]

Always worth the wait - thanks again - your films are legend :)

[@cfribbins]

The track was last used on a regular basis to remove the top 2 metres or so of the surface of St. Mary’s Island which was part of the newer dockyard which used to be used for dumping waste and was contaminated with heavy metals and some low level radioactive waste. The spoil was removed by train to Bedford where they have a number of clay lined quarries for this type of waste. The tracks in the existing Historic Dockyard - now a ‘museum’ connected to this, and are still used by a steam train and wagon. A sidings area is now the main car park. I can remember a special excursion off the main line went into the ‘car park’ before it was severed. St. Mary’s Island is now a large ‘up market’ housing estate developed over a number of years

[@jetspotter19]

very Eerie stuff but very interesting, morthren. i remember when I lived back in Woodhouse, in Sheffield. There was a sewage treatment works on the side of the hill there back in the 70's. dont know if it is still there but I remember as a kid exploring it, got the same feeling watching this. cheers!

[@leilabennett1366]

Amazing that the rails are left in there. Great vid thank you. I have been the historic dockyard.

[@leemaxwell1912]

I couldn't help imagining the LSO playing "Jerusalem" as you walked down the tracks and under that bridge.

[@alarmmuseum]

Nice! I love old abandoned dock railways

[@whyyoulidl]

Thx Morthren; the pov is just like being there. Subscribed to yr fine work 👍

[@RussianSevereWeatherVideos]

3:45 What a lovely tree "cathedral"

[@ausi14u]

I must say you do a great first person with the filming, thanks

[@carolinegreenwell9086]

Very interesting (as always). Thanks

[@matthewcollins57]

Excellent and informative video. Good work!

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

I doubt the radiation level is much above background. You'd get more from a bowl of Brazil nuts or a lump of Aberdeen granite.

[@streaky81]

Wouldn't be surprised if it was below normal background tbh. Whatever radiation is there would almost certainly be immeasurable. You don't want kids digging it up but it's perfectly safe as it is else somebody would have had the government in court and won by now..

[@darkmage35]

Yeah, it's even pointed out in the video that it's just low level waste (aka things that were used around nuclear material, not nuclear material itself) so the paranoia is stupid.

[@seraphina985]

@@streaky81 Hell probably being exposed to more ionising radiation from direct exposure to the Sun, once you start getting paranoid about anything that emits ionising radiation at any level pretty much everything fits in that category lol.

[@danielfisher6501]

Or a smoke alarm

[@johnm2012]

Nice skew arch at 3:50. Thanks for showing the helical brickwork.

[@rubyait]

Another good video. I really got the sensation of walking.

[@hiddenkent6933]

Very enjoyable. Have to take my hat off to you, You are braver than I. Risk of getting your collar felt, Risk of someone throwing something over and landing on you and worst of all, the risk of standing on a needle or being confronted by some undesirables! I went down there yesterday but took photos and video clips from the other side of the fence. Doesn't look as good as your vid but I didn't want to take any risks here. Particularly by the archway bit, its like a massive crack den! A lot of the line has benefited a lot of wildlife, its just a shame that people have made much of it so filthy. Interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

[@EdenValleyAdventuresUK]

Loved the video thanks for sharing

[@antonydicesare4632]

Another quality video mate

[@paulwilliamdixon3674]

They should have a regular passenger train service on the line. Good commuter potential.

[@Nine-Signs]

I'm sat here thinking "why does it sound like he/she has a horse with them," then realised I had it on 2x speed. thank you for sharing.

[@mrroobarb]

Great stuff. I'm surprised they haven't ripped up the old line - very unlikely to be reconnected - RHTT would spend a week cleaning that

[@freebrickproductions]

Great video! Guessing this branch line was entirely grade-separated between the mainline and the docks.

[@morthren]

Thanks! It is, there are two under bridges and two over bridges along the cutting. When it ran into the docks, it was road level with a level crossing at the dock entrance. I've found a couple of videos on YT from 2010 with trains running on line kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYuofH-YfpKfppI

[@rrich52806]

Nice tour. thanks

[@pjorgensen1661]

So nice!!👍🏻 Thanks!

[@Isochest]

I am surprised the track hasn't been lifted. It would be good if some of this branch could be used to service a freight terminal even if for bulk traffic like stone sand and cement

[@stuarthall6631]

I remember when I worked for B.R. at Charing Cross in the 80's that there were several specials down to and around Chatham Docks utilising Hastings Diesels stock. It doesn't seem that long ago. I wonder if anyone out there actually traveled upon one of these?

[@dodgydruid]

Oh what a mess they have made :( I have fond memories of the RN Dockyard from when my uncle was cook on Warspite which was based there for a while and I remember them cutting up HMS Triumph prior to her sailing off to be scrapped and the last surviving battleship converted to an aircraft carrier ended an era for the RN. If my dad was at Rochester signal box or Gillingham, my uncle if he was on base would walk up the lines to go mump some free tea off me dad as always a brew on the go. A lot of life seemed to revolve around tea in my family, my other uncle a 33 driver at Hoo knew many many places to scrounge a fillup of his flask and if there was a Travellers Fare on a station he was going through would cheekily stop and get a free fillup usually to berating by station staff and he knew he was immune of the threats as ASLEF would walk out for a rainy day, shouting at one of their drivers was a serious call if the station bods had tried to make it official hehe.

[@morthren]

I do love to read your stories. I think my favourite is when you peed on the farmer one time when you were riding in the cab! It's also interesting to hear how it used to be. It must have been a great time when you were a kid. Thanks for sharing your memories 🙂

[@brianmicky7596]

Hi, Thanks for your time Nice video of the passed,, What has this country come to ,Devistation or what, It's people like you that shows the rest of us what's going on ,well done

[@paulyh4531]

Another good vid , long time no see 👌👍👍

[@daveconyard8946]

Nice post Thank you,

[@mickd6942]

They should turn it into a heritage line while they still can

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

It took less than fifteen minutes to walk, not much of a ride.

[@111greatbear3]

Plus the amount of idiots who throw there junk on the line is disgraceful

[@bennickss]

To a nuclear maintenance and waste disposal site? Maybe when humans evolve to become radiation resistant.

[@bennickss]

John Hill well, the telford steam railway exists, and it’s literally a mile long for 15 minutes soooo.

[@jayillingworth1301]

West Midlands Trainspotting : Telford and Beyond! Now it goes to an Asda superstore lol.

[@cycklist]

Similar to the disused Admiralty Line here in Portsmouth.

[@alexdean3794]

This is something I've never heard of, are there still remnants in Portsmouth then?

[@UKWMO]

Alex Dean: No traces of it as far as I’m aware of apart from the tracks that remain in situ at the dockyard.

[@Tbass17]

There’s several sections of track you can still see (and walk down) in the northern park of Gosport. Just beyond where the new bus lane ends.

[@UKWMO]

Paul Harris: Shame they made the old Gosport Branch into that guided bus route, would love to have seen that line reinstated.

[@pamelamanning6599]

If youre ever in northamptonshire, then the Higham Ferrers Branch would make an interesting video, it used to start off at irchester junction near wellingborough and irchester and had two stations: Rushden and Higham Ferrers. Its mostly all demolished apart from the (very) small heritage line (The Rushden Historical Transport Society). Theres a few bits of railway architecture, Passenger services stopped in the 1960's but frieght continued up until closure due to the two towns being very involved in the shoe industry. Its worth looking into and going to see whats there, i live in higham so it would be interesting to see what you could find out about it.

[@Blancmange64]

I live in Rosebery Road which runs along the side of the line, (after the bridge) moved there in April 1993. Only ever heard 1 train go by and that was in the first week we were there...….

[@jackmileshunt]

That was my second home, I think we moved out around 94 when my sister was born.

[@andreww4473]

In the time it took you to walk that line, petrol went up by 5p per litre! See 0:28 and 9:04 !

[@keithosborne2610]

Cant put a price on that kind of observance. Well done.

[@michaelsinclair2731]

Amazing to see how Nature takes over again

[@BobEager]

Great, and fascinating. I have driven under the bridge many times but hadn't realised it was abandoned. One thing. FORMALLY? No. Formerly, please.

[@aircraftandships]

Very interesting especially seeming the bridges etc

[@dct1]

Another great video. I’m surprised there isn’t radioactive signage on display.

[@jayillingworth1301]

The level of radioactive emissions are so low at this site, that you are more likely to be endangered by the smell from the pumping house and the stagnant pond now. Also, the main site is over on St. Mary’s Island close to where the hammerhead crane is, and now that is being redeveloped as an expensive housing site.

[@michaelgamble296]

Thank you for the interesting tour. This is effectively 'Radiation by Proxy' Ho-Ho-Ho!

[@MrDgwphotos]

I got a laugh out of Seattle's Best Coffee, since I live near Seattle.

[@TransportCambs]

Nice video!

[@EandEFC]

I enjoyed my walk down the line a couple of years ago shame they could not turn it into a steam railway for tourist as a demo line

[@biglads4tw]

I'm pretty hyped for this new STALKER mod

[@reidmulligan8478]

The way I had to get in their is meet this homeless man who is pretty nice and he showed me a gap in the fence which I could get through

[@sexygirlove20]

i was surprised to see all the rubbish in the area.... very untidy... i liked the video

[@TheMisterB2u]

I drove trains down (and up)it in 1991 !

[@BassandoForte]

How..?? I used to live on Gillingham Road untill 1988 and it was abandoned and overgrown all from when I can remember before that...

[@JackSardonic]

Not sure how I got here, but this is very interesting.

[@johnfoster3286]

Its changed a bit since I was there 56 years ago. I dont recognise much at all.

[@paintedpilgrim]

One wonders why former lines like this with surrounding areas that have been redeveloped can't or wont be financed for reuse like in Stourbridge and the branch line that uses Class 139s or a low level light rail system.....surely such developments could help spur on new projects in the area. Much like it has done in Manchester and East London with the DLR.

[@benters3509]

The price of gasoline has gone up ten pence a liter while you were making the video! At 13:00 dockyard wall! Gotta be! My granddad would have traveled on this line as he was stationed at Chatham for awhile. That's why I was born there!

[@markcolyer1989]

Bloody good video well done,

[@ianwebb7194]

I was stationed in Chatham barracks in 1960.

[@666spurs]

I was there working for contractor and saw large bags of waste dumped there often, but nobody ever mentioned it

[@MrJtappin]

The chatam Dock line had curves that would defeat most modern rolling stock when it was active.... And you do know most low level nuclear waste is barely above normal background, end therefore safe levels....its largely just normal trash.

[@andrewlangley9507]

Cool vid. It would have been interesting to see some Geiger counter readings.

[@IKS-Exploration]

Andrew Langley we did just that in our documentary on this site - kzbin.info/www/bejne/paaooXuAg69jrc0

[@MrMondeo2010]

congrats on ut perfect video

[@RetroMajskolbe]

What kind of camera do you use?

[@britishrailclass]

How do you get on the rail track?

[@MrKnowwun]

very good

[@harleancarpenter8043]

My father worked at Dockyard from mid 50's until late 60's, died of cancer which we put down to his smoking, and being at nuclear tests before then, but now I wonder? Left Medway (Strood) in 1983, never gone back, apart from brief period when mother was dying in 2002. Sure I wouldnt recognise anywhere now, for sure

[@streaky81]

Stop wondering, it's not related. Monitoring of occupational radiation exposure, even in the early days of nuclear weapons, was pretty good. Your father would have known if he'd received an even paranoid low level dangerous radiation exposure. He'd have to have been directly involved in refueling nuclear reactors to even get a perfectly safe low dose, let alone a dangerous one.

[@harleancarpenter8043]

@@streaky81 No, I know its the smoking that got him really, he smoked heavily

[@dundeemink3847]

What is the third rail on the inside of the corner for 07:44

[@peterdunning2952]

It's called a check rail.You see them where the line is curved sharply.It acts against the inside of the flange of the wheel and is a safety measure to prevent derailing.

[@philpalmer8044]

Your're a brave man. That's where drug needles go to die.

[@bb-3653]

So true

[@tonyhealey8977]

Used to be glue sniffing bags years ago.

[@stevec00ps]

When you see all these old tracks I wonder why they're not recovered by scrap metal dealers - there must be tonnes of steel in that short walk there!

[@WardyLion]

Steve Cooper Too much effort / aggro. Even a short section weighs a lot and you’d have to carry it at least a short distance, not to mention cutting gear and tools to lift the track and cut it to manageable bits would have to be lugged to the track.

[@WardyLion]

SpeedbirdConcorde Getting the Transit van to the rail looks to be near impossible in this case.

[@erikmorrison2355]

As someone who is a trackman Scrap rail is moved from various sites but you need a licence from network rail to remove it and network rail don't move it all due to cost

[@WardyLion]

Erik Morrison Fair enough. I think I might have assumed the question was “Why has no-one nicked it?”

[@michaelsinclair2731]

Hard to believe it was last used in 2010 it looks like it hasn't been touched in about 40 years

[@alongthewayjay]

The Historic Dockyard missed out they could of run there heritage trains up and down that line when it was still connected! But unfortunately now all the shops and flats are built in the way its not possible anymore!

[@michaelsinclair2731]

Imagine if a train started coming down the track?! How surreal and scary would that be?!

[@paulkazjack]

We were always playing on this railway, seems so long ago.

[@tonyhealey8977]

Putting stones on the track !

[@maryellis3661]

any footage of how they disconnected it from the main line ?

[@SepOfficial1]

Is this in the u.k?

[@jamespattenden605]

The waste was buried on st Mary's island not by Asda,s, it was removed before the development of houses on the island, although you are not allowed to grow your own vegetables in the ground or in containers on the island

[@terriebarrett6767]

We lived beside the railway line and during the late 80s to early 90s they cleared all contaminated earth etc by rail . There shouldn't be anything there any more

[@allsearpw3829]

Is that where some contractors , either working on , or dismantling those submarines , contacted radiation poising and all their records got lost , whilst the dock yard was being shut down .

[@danielfisher6501]

They took away 3" inches of top soil away from all of that area before they started building houses.

[@bb-3653]

Haha I always wondered what that empty bridge was for

[@JourneywithSmee]

1.18 for fuel? When was this taken? 2003? It then jumps up by 7p by the time you've walked around!

[@curtisdaniel9294]

It would make a great hiking and biking trail. But who would pay for that process?