EAW018282 ENGLAND (1948). The Aylesford Paper Mills, Ditton, from the south-west, 1948. This image was marked by Aerofilms Ltd for photo editing.

Unlikely to be fireless. These were employed at the companies mills at Gravesend and Greenhythe. One currently survives at Coalville Mining History Display (Currently Leics CC) but under review. Locos at Aylesford were 0-4-0 Peckets. First pair were named Rodney and Nelson, probably from 1928 when mill started. Then replaced by Anson and Howe which were similar. Later replaced by diesel loco named Hornblower. These loco can be seen as a secondary item on a DVD published about Maidstone BC's trolley bus installation. All originallsy were on 16mm cine before transfer to DVD. Steam loco survived in use till early 1960's. Also construction of the mill itself recorded in 16mm cine and band w stills on "SCA Packaging New Hythe - The Final team 2009" published by the company , I think in co-operation with Maidstone Museum.

Howe lasted as reserve engine in west mill until late 1960s at least. I went to senior school in 1968 and shortly after had a chance to drive Howe while Hornblower had its tyres turned.



East mill diesel shunter was Bounty, a Ruston and Hornsby 88DS. Hornblower was a R&H 165DE, and was moved to east mill later when bounty failed. All west mill activity then (late 70s, early 80s) was oil trains shunted in / out by BR loco.

This water tower (TQ 71443 59530) replaced an earlier tower at about TQ 71399 59627, built in 1923. This new tower has been demolished, there is a good photograph of it held in the Historic England Archive: https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/AA101446