The Davington Light Railway was built in 1916 to
transport the factory workers from Davington to Uplees via Oare Halt.
It was single track throughout its length, except for a passing loop
at Oare. They had their own gasworks at Uplees and the engines would
ferry coal, acid, cotton, detonators, mines and shells. etc. Also in
1916 was the largest explosion in English gunpowder making history at
the works, when 108 people were killed. Their remains were buried in a
mass grave in Faversham. The line closed after the Great war when the
need for munitions all but dried up. The factory was moved to Scotland
when it was purchased by ICI. The line and its effects were sold at
auction in 1921.
The tunnel was used to keep animals and, during WW2, was used as an
air raid shelter when both ends were blocked except for a doorway.
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