Celebrations held onboard Southern train to mark Marshlink Line's 175th anniversary

The following press release has been issued by the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership to mark the 175th anniversary of the Marshlink line, operated by Southern, between Hastings and Ashford.

Celebrations have been held to mark the 175th anniversary of the railway line between Hastings and Ashford International.

Community representatives, station volunteers and rail enthusiasts held a special on-board gathering on a Southern Railway Marshlink train travelling between the two towns on Friday 13 February.

Among those on the train were the mayors of Hastings, Rye and Ashford. The deputy mayor of Winchelsea was on the platform at the station as the train travelled along the line.

The event marked exactly 175 years since the first train ran from Ashford to Hastings via Rye on 13 February 1851. The celebration was organised by Marshlink community rail partnership. Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn made an on-board announcement to welcome passengers on the special service.

Cllr Becca Horn said: “Train travel is so important as a sustainable form of transport and the Marshlink line connects a service from Hastings through Rye and the villages towards Ashford International.

“It’s such an important service that we have, it’s a fast route towards London and connecting the whole of the South East. I’m really grateful that we’ve got this service, celebrating 175 years. Let’s hope for at least another 175 to come.”

The Marshlink line was earmarked for closure in the Beeching Report in 1963 but was saved after opposition from local campaigners. The impracticality of the proposed replacement bus service also ensured the line’s survival.

Latest data on estimated station usage shows a rise at all nine stations from Hastings to Ashford International.

There was a 7.8% increase in estimated station usage between April 2024 and March 2025 compared with the year before, according to the Office of Rail and Road. Overall station usage on the Marshlink line is now at 93.4% of pre-Covid levels.

Jenny Saunders, Southern’s Customer Service Director, said: “The enduring Marshlink line is a vital connection for people visiting, living and working in this unique area of the country and we’re proud to serve the community here.

“Passenger numbers are continuing to grow and we’re seeing tourists return in their droves post-Covid, especially to the idyllic town of Rye. This summer is all set to be a busy one as we celebrate the line’s 175th year.”

The on-board celebration was funded by a grant from Southern Railway to mark 200 years of the modern railways.

Marshlink is one of ten community rail lines which form Southeast Communities Rail Partnership (SCRP) which connects communities to their railways.

Ashford mayor Cllr Lyn Suddards said: “This railway is particularly important for Ashford and surrounding villages because it does form a connection that is otherwise missing.”

Cllr Andy Stuart, mayor of Rye, added: “The Marshlink line continues this amazing piece of utility for the whole community. It’s the glue that holds the coast together and allows people to move backwards and forwards relatively quickly and at convenient times.”

Sarah Broadbent, chair of 1066 Country which promotes the region, said: “In terms of the liveability of a place, its connectivity is vital both for our residents and also for our visitor economy and this part of the country. 1066 Country relies on its visitor economy so it’s terrific that we are championing links to essentially the rest of the country.”

Marshlink community rail partnership line chair Kevin Boorman said: “It’s been a really good day on the Marshlink. Thank you very much to everyone who has supported us: stakeholders, mayors, members of the public.”

ENDS