the line was electrified by british railways on 15 june 1959 as part of the "kent coast electrification" in the 1955 modernisation plan. in conjunction with electrification double track was introduced between the junction with the main line and near swale halt. in 1960 the bridge over the swale estuary was rebuilt when a slight deviation of the line was built requiring a new platform at swale halt on a different alignment.