Route of Corringham Light Railway (EHER 45738)

Corringham Light Railway opened in 1901, running between Corringham and Coryton (formerly known as Kynochtown), having been built to serve Kynochstown Explosives factory. Kynoch's factory closed down in 1919 and in 1921 the railway and factory were bought by Cory Brother's Ltd of Cardiff to build an oil storage depot. During World War Two, this railway line played a very active part in the war effort moving large amounts of oil from the refinery to Thames Haven Port. After World War Two passenger use was reinstated, but passenger numbers were low and all sections of the line except that between Thames Haven and Coryton (which had been upgraded to mainline standards) were closed in 1953. The remainder of the line closed in 1971.

The 1920 3rd edition Ordnance Survey map shows the Corringham Light Railway running from a station on the north-east side of Corringham village, across the survey area and down to the docks at Shellhaven and the Kynochtown factory. The portion of the railway line within the survey area is no longer extant, although aerial photos show some surviving earthworks. <1> Information from NRHE: Corringham Light Railway. 2 3/4 mile long light railway between Corringham and Coryton (formerly known as Kynochtown). A Light Railway Order obtained in 1899 and the line opened for goods on 1st January 1901. Passengers were accepted from 22nd June 1901. It was built to serve Kynoch's new explosives factory. G. Kynoch Ltd of Birmingham saw a need to build a new factory the South and in 1895 they purchased Borley Farm near Shell Haven Creek. The factory was opened in 1897. It was designed to house 600 employees on a new estate called Kynochtown. In addition to this, further new houses were constructed 3 miles away in Stanford-Le-Hope and Corringham. In January 1919 Kynoch's Factory closed down. In 1921 the railway and factory site were bought by Cory Brother's Ltd of Cardiff to build an oil storage depot. During World War Two, the Line played a very active part in the war effort moving large amounts of oil from the refinery to Thames Haven Port. Passenger use was reinstated post war but numbers were low. Coryton Oil refinery was sold to the Vacuum Oil Company (later Mobil), but the line stayed independent. The Thames Haven to Coryton connection was upgraded to mainline standards (see EHER 80737). All other sections were closed on 3rd March 1952 <2> <3>. Mobil Oil took control in 1969 and closed the railway on 6th September 1971. <4> <5>