Today, train travel usually means whipping your ticket through the electronic gates, grabbing a quick cappuccino and hopping through the sliding doors onto your carriage - all under the watchful eyes of CCTV.

But 150 years ago, it was a very different story.

Southeastern rail service is looking back at the history of train travel in Kent as several of its stations celebrate their 150th anniversary.

In 1858 Sittingbourne, Chatham, Faversham, Rainham, Teynham, Shortlands, Bickley, in Bromley, and Bromley South opened their doors for the first time – the same year that Charles Darwin published his theory of evolution, Hyman Lipman patented a pencil with an attached eraser, and the first transatlantic telegram was sent.

Today, Southeastern runs 182 stations over 480miles of track, all of which are currently being re-painted and re-signed to provide passengers with a more welcoming environment.

But we want to hear your thoughts on Kent’s rail service past and present.

********************************************************************************************

What are your fondest memories of rail travel in the county? Were stations cleaner and trains faster in your day, or do commuters have an easy ride on the tracks today? Share your thoughts and memories with us on the SpeakOut below

********************************************************************************************

Kent’s eight oldest stations have seen six British monarchs, 27 different British Prime Ministers, 29 US Presidents, 42 British military encounters, and heard 1,068 number one hit singles in the time that they have been serving passengers.

Sittingbourne, Chatham, Faversham, Rainham and Teynham all opened on January 25, 1858, as part of the East Kent Railway project linking Strood and Dover.

Later the same year, Shortlands, Bickley and Bromley South opened as a part of a different project.

A spokesman for Southeastern said of this year’s anniversary: “It is a reminder of just how long Kent has enjoyed rail links to London, and the dramatic improvement they have seen over the years.”

MP for Faversham and Mid Kent Hugh Robertson and Southeastern’s Head of Retail Barbara Thomas will join local dignitaries at Faversham station on Friday, May 16 at 11am to celebrate its century-and-a-half of service.

Day Dickens nearly died in train crash>>>