The Railway (JD Wetherspoon), Gillingham

Funnily enough the Railway is located literally a stone’s throw away from Rainham railway station. There are two bars and although I had a look through to the left hand bar that had a single gentleman sitting in it I didn’t enter. It looked pretty quiet and the sort of place I would read a newspaper if I was old and bored. The right hand bar was also quiet early on the recent Thursday evening I visited, but there was some conversation between the barmaid and couple of locals who were watching muted snooker on the plasma screen. This was via terrestrial television and I didn’t see any advertisements for Sky Sports. There is a jukebox that played a random song every now and again at a volume that was far too loud for the setting and at the rear is a pool table and a dartboard. The hand pump was drawing Doom Bar and there was a standard draught selection alongside San Miguel. This pub is handy for a quick pint if waiting for a train, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here again.

A station hotel from the golden age of the railways, The Railway consists of a large corner pub with two bars, one of which isn't always open. There is a pool table, gaming machines and a large, friendly pub dog. A fading carpet and repro fireplace add to the poor interior. The decor is decaying, and there is a pervading undertone of urine in the air. That said, the staff were very welcoming, although the locals were not. The pub has shed its former low-life customers, so has improved from that perspective in recent years - unruly yobs are now firmly ejected, and although familes are welcome, it is made clear that children must leave by 6pm. There was only one ale on draft, Bombardier, which was far from perfect but still just about drinkable. There is, however, a good selection of bottled beers available. OK to break a journey, but it wouldn't be my first choice in Rainham especially as there are 2 GBG pubs close by.