The Crab and Winkle Line Once upon a time, (as all good fairy
stories begin), Tollesbury was served by a railway. This was at
the end of a branch line off the main route to East Anglia from
London (Liverpool Street). However, whereas fairy tales have no
truth in them, the Kelvedon and Tollesbury Light Railway was a
historical fact. Whilst the whole of the route from Kelvedon to
the Tollesbury terminus is of interest to the real enthusiast,
it is 'our' end of the line upon which it seems most appropriate
to concentrate for the purposes of this Web-site. However, in
writing about the rise and fall of the 'Crab and Winkle' as the
line was affectionately called, a certain amount of general
background must also be supplied. At the time of the passing of
the Light Railways Act in 1896, the part of Essex in which
Tollesbury is situated was still very remote. Even today the
road system leaves a lot to be desired, but in those days there
is little doubt that even on the 'main' roads locally,
travelling was precarious.