page_title: Witham to Maldon branch line
section_title: Opening
hierarchical_section_title: Witham to Maldon branch line / Opening
caption_attribution_description: English: Former Maldon East Railway Station
context_page_description: The Witham to Maldon branch line is a closed railway line joining Maldon to the British railway network at Witham in Essex, England. It was opened in 1848; and it was 5.75 miles long. It was extended to Woodham Ferris to give direct access to Southend-on-Sea, but that extension was not commercially successful.
  The Woodham Ferrers extension was closed to passenger traffic in 1939 and completely in 1953. The original main line from Maldon to Witham also declined in passenger carryings; efforts to stimulate business included the introduction of low-cost diesel railbuses and a more intensive passenger service. This proved to be in vain and the passenger service was withdrawn in 1964. A residual goods service continued but from 1980 the line was completely closed.
context_section_description: The construction was slow due to exceptionally bad weather, but progress was made and a goods train was run from Maldon to Braintree on 15 August 1848, and this usage continued in order to consolidate the track. Captain George Wynne for the Board of Trade inspected the line on 29 (Paye) or 30 (Swindale) September 1848 and approved it for the running of passenger trains. Accordingly passenger operation started on 2 October 1848. Five trains a day were run; the journey time was 20 minutes from Maldon to Witham and 40 minutes throughout from Maldon to Braintree.
  The line had been built as double track in anticipation of heavy usage, but this did not materialise; traffic on the line was disappointing. In 1850 one track was removed, and the material was used on relaying of track on the Colchester main line.
  In 1862 the Great Eastern Railway was formed by amalgamation of certain companies, including the Eastern Counties Railway; the coat of arms of the borough of Maldon was included in the crest of the new GER.
caption: The former Maldon East railway station
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