The line was never prosperous, even under South Eastern management, and there was a new setback when the London, Chatham and Dover Railway opened in 1860 offering a better passenger service from Whitstable to London. Sunday trains were withdrawn in 1860.The platform at Whitstable Harbour station was extended in the mid-1870s to take three carriages. In 1883, two Stirling O Class 0-6-0 locomotives received cut down cabs to enable them to work the line. These were replaced by four Stirling R Class 0-6-0T locomotives in 1891, which worked the line until closure. Canterbury North Lane closed to freight in 1891. A new station opened at Whitstable Harbour on 3 June 1895. It was located south of Harbour Street thus enabling uninterrupted shunting in the harbour area. In 1898, Sunday trains were reinstated, running during summer only.