Changes

Plans were developed in 1986, led by John Tennent, for a short narrow gauge line at the station. Initially this was to have been a 2 ft gauge line with colliery tubs, as existed at the station before the First World War for the slag traffic from the old forge. However, following the acquisition of a 15in gauge petrol hydraulic 'Flying Scotsman', a 15in gauge track was laid and other rolling stock acquired including a complete train from the defunct Porthcawl Miniature Railway consisting of a 4-6-4T steam outline petrol electric locomotive 'Silver Jubilee'<ref name=PMR>[https://localgiving.org/appeal/Silver-Jubilee-Appeal/ Porthcawl Miniature Railway fundraising page] (retrieved 10 March 2023)</ref> and three coaches which were some of the original Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch four-wheelers. By winter 1989-90 a loco shed had been built, track and points laid and a workshop was almost complete.<ref>SVR News 81, 94</ref>

In 1991 it was decided that using it as a passenger-carrying miniature railway was becoming less likely to become a reality, so it was re-purposed as a demonstration industrial line using a Lister industrial locomotive, the other stock being sold, including 'Silver Jubilee' which initially moved to the Windmill Farm Railway. <ref name=PMR/> The stock sheds were then converted into a workshop for station restoration and maintenance, named 'The Forge Works', in memory of the old Hampton Loade forge. The line was used to carry items such as sand bags, lengths of rail, fence panels, sleepers, ash and ballast until 1995 when it transpired that its use was not covered by the SVR's insurance. It closed on 8 June 1995, and track lifting began shortly afterwards<ref>SVR News 118</ref>.