The paper mill was originally supplied with raw materials by barges that sailed to wharves at the head of Milton Creek.

In 1913, as Milton Creek began to silt up, the paper making company began work on the construction of Ridham Dock, a deepwater facility on the Swale estuary, where seagoing ships could unload raw materials and load finished paper products.

There was also a Standard gauge system around Kemsley and Ridham Dock that was connected to the Sheerness line near Swale.

By this time the railway was the last industrial narrow gauge railway in Britain operating steam locomotives and, until withdrawn from 30 September 1969, had operated a scheduled passenger service for its employees between the Sittingbourne mill and Ridham Dock.

The LCGB was granted a lease of the southern portion of the railway between Sittingbourne and Kemsley Down in 1970.