1. Mid Kent on the journey down-17.02.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 14. The Kent & Sussex downsman-17 & 18.02.19 > 1. Mid Kent on the journey down-17.02.19

A superb afternoon and pleasantly warm. We ambled our way through mid-Kent finding the line from Eynsford to Sevenoaks surpassingly busy for a Sunday afternoon. Before heading for Dover, we stopped of in Maidstone.

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Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.

375901 & 375619, SE 12.58 Dover-London Charing Cross (2W42, RT), Eynsford station
On a glorious early spring afternoon, 375901 and 375619 arrive at Eynsford station working the 12.58 Dover Priory to Charing Cross.
Keywords: 375901 375619 12.58 Dover-London Charing Cross 2W42 Eynsford station

375617 & 375621, SE 13.58 London Charing Cross-Ramsgate (2R42, 1E), Eynsford station
Eynsford is 20 miles from London Victoria and is situated between Swanley and Shoreham. It enjoys a regular service provided by South Eastern and Thameslink. 375617 and 375621 are passing through the station with the 13.58 Charing Cross to Ramsgate working.
Keywords: 375617 375621 13.58 London Charing Cross-Ramsgate 2R42 Eynsford station

700012, TL 13.42 London Blackfriars-Sevonoaks (9Y32, RT), Eynsford station
700012 pauses at Eynsford station with the 13.42 Blackfriars to Sevonoaks Thameslink service. Notice that the platforms are constructed in the typical SR style being of pre-fabricated concrete. Until recently there was also a matching footbridge but this has been replaced by the white monstrosity seen spanning the line over the rear of the train.
Keywords: 700012 13.42 London Blackfriars-Sevonoaks 9Y32 Eynsford station

375509 & 375516, SE 13.05 Canterbury West-London Charing Cross (2A42, 4E), Eynsford station
375509 and 375516 pass Eynsford station forming the 13.05 Canterbury to Charing Cross. In common with many stations that we found on our trip, Eynsford was well maintained and ordered. There was plenty of information and, for a Sunday afternoon, there were plenty of trains and customers.
Keywords: 375509 375516 13.05 Canterbury West-London Charing Cross 2A42 Eynsford station

700041, TL 14.28 Sevonoaks-London Blackfriars (9Y36, RT), Eynsford station
The 14.28 Sevonoaks to Blackfriars service arrives at Eynsford station formed of 700041. These dual-voltage (AC via a pantograph or DC via third rail pick-up) were introduced in 2014 with the final unit entering service last year in 2018. I think that they look purposeful but I am not sure that there white paintwork will look quite so good in a year of two?
Keywords: 700041 14.28 Sevonoaks-London Blackfriars 9Y36 Eynsford station

377507 & 377514, SE 14.25 London Victoria-Canterbury West (2N44, RT), Otford station
377507 and 377514 leave Otford station working the 14.25 Victoria to Canterbury West 2N44 service. It was a lovely afternoon feeling positively spring-like even through it was only the middle of February.
Keywords: 377507 377514 14.25 London Victoria-Canterbury West 2N44 Otford station

700012, TL 14.58 Sevonoaks-London Blackfriars (9Y38, 1L), Otford station
Seen just over an hour earlier at Eynsford station, 700012 returns from Sevonoaks as the 14.58 to London Blackfriars. It is seen entering Otford station. The station was opened in 1874 by the London, Chatham and Dover Railway and is located just a few miles north of Sevonoaks.
Keywords: 700012 14.58 Sevonoaks-London Blackfriars 9Y38, Otford station

375601 & 375714, SE 13.50 Hastings-London Charing Cross (1H78, 2E), Otford station
375601 and 375714 arrives at Otford station in Kent working the 13.50 Hastings to Charing Cross. Despite it being a Sunday afternoon, it was encouraging to see that Southeastern were running two-set services meaning that there appeared to be no over-crowding issues.
Keywords: 375601 375714 13.50 Hastings-London Charing Cross 1H78 Otford station

66121, 10.09 Dollands Moor-DIRFT (6M45), Otford station
This is a working that I see regularly near to my home of the WCML in Roade. The 6M45 10.09 Dollands Moor to Daventry bottled water train passes slowly through Otford station hauled by 66121. On this particular Sunday, the train was running extremely late, normally, it would have arrived at Daventry by this time!
Keywords: 66121 10.09 Dollands Moor-DIRFT 6M45 Otford station

Frontage, Bat and Ball station
This is a station that Andy and I have always wanted to visit due to its intriguing name! Bat and Ball station was originally named Sevonoaks in 1862 becoming Sevonoaks Bat and Ball, later just Bat and Ball in 1950. The odd name is derived from the nearby pub of the same name that no longer exists. The station is grade II listed and has recently undergone a substantial restoration programme undertaken by Sevonoaks Council who now own the building. Part of it can be hired for functions.
Keywords: Bat and Ball station

Frontage, West Malling for Kings Hill station
The impressive station at West Malling in the gathering dusk. The station had just been in receipt of some investment with a huge new car park having just been opened and new lighting. There was also a new sheltered bus stop and taxi rank to assist the many commuters that obviously use the station during the week. Notice the blue plaque on the front of the building. This commemorated that the author George Orwell spent some time living in a nearby sanatorium writing a number of his novels.
Keywords: West Malling for Kings Hill station

Maidstone West signal box (EOD, 1899)
The impressive Maidstone West signal box taken from the platform end of Maidstone West station. It is the first box in a short stretch of absolute block section that extends from here to Paddock Wood; a quite remarkable survivor. The box was built in 1889 by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Joint Committee. It was very badly damaged in August 1944 following a heavy Doodle Bug attack on Maidstone.
Keywords: Maidstone West signal box

Maidstone West station
A very quiet Maidstone West station in the dusk of a February evening. The station was opened as the terminus of a branch from Paddock Wood in 1844. Twelve years later, the line was extended to the north Kent line at Strood. The station is looking quiet on this Sunday evening due to engineering works closing the line, hence the array of red signals on view.
Keywords: Maidstone West station

Maidstone East signal box (BR, 1962)
Maidstone East signal box is situated on the end of the down platform of the east station. It is British Railways SR type 18 box constructed in 1962. It contains the last Southern Region mini-lever power frame manufactured by Westinghouse. It's a 47-lever style L frame that was installed second-hand in the new box coming from Canon Street temporary box built in 1957.
Keywords: Maidstone East signal box

Images 1-15 of 15 displayed.