Although not quite so important a system as the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the Canterbury and Whitstable line played a vital part in railway pioneering. Six and a half miles in length, the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway gave to the world its very first railway tunnel. As planned by George Stephenson, the line did not include any tunnels, but its promoters, wanting something outstanding for their money, are said to have insisted upon a tunnel, and so Stephenson obligingly carried the railway under the North Downs, and the first railway tunnel became an accomplished fact. No official ceremony marks the centenary of this unique railway, which was single-tracked throughout, but from a contemporary there is drawn the following intriguing description of the inaugural trip over the Canterbury and Whitstable line in 1830: —“The motion of the carriages was particularly easy and agreeable. At first starting, the quiet power with which the vast mass was set in motion dispelled every fear in the passengers. The entrance into the tunnel was very impressive—the total darkness—the accelerated speed—the rumbling of the cars—the loud cheering of the whole party echoing through the vault, combined to form a situation almost terrific — certainly novel and striking.” Then, in conclusion; “Perfect confidence in the safety of the whole apparatus seemed to prevail, and the company (including George Stephenson) emerged from the dismal tunnel into the warm precincts of the cheerful day in high spirits,” After operating for some twelve years as an independent concern, the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway was linked with the South Eastern Railway, which in its turn eventually became a part of the present Southern Railway.