THIS week in Down Memory Lane I jump on the bandwagon – well the passenger carriage at Corringham Light Railway, closed some 61 years ago.

There appears to be a lot of interest in getting something done to open up the old railway line from Corringham to what was then the explosive works, on the river marshes, operated by Kynoch Explosive Company of Birmingham.

The line was incorporated on July 10, 1899 (under the Light Railway Act of 1896) and opened to freight on January 1, 1901, and to passengers on June 22, 1901.

During the busiest times of the Great War it took around 1,000 passengers each day to and from the works.

It closed to passengers on Saturday March 1, 1952, and was absorbed into the Mobil Oil Company on September 20, 1971.

The last journey recorded in the Grays & Tilbury Gazette, Friday, March 7, issue, was to take children to and from the annual Coryton children’s party.

The VIPs on the journey included the chairman of the Vacuum Oil Works, Mr J Gridley, his wife and Cllr J H Freeman, who was manager of the Coryton Works.

Although the train had to cross a road, and the fireman-shunter had to jump down and run in front to close and open the gates, the journey of two-and-three-quarter miles was quickly covered.

I wonder if any of the children still remember that last journey – I would like to record any memories of the train or staff, so please contact me at the museum.