 It was originally called the "East Kent Mineral (Light) Railways" when first proposed in 1909.The progenitors were Christopher Solley of "Sandwich Haven Wharves Syndicate" at Sandwich, who dreamed of his town becoming a great port again, Arthur Burr of "Kent Coal Concessions Ltd", the original promoter of the Kent coalfield.and the "St Augustines Links Ltd", which was meant to have laid out a golf course.