2. South Kent Sussex coast-18.02.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 14. The Kent & Sussex downsman-17 & 18.02.19 > 2. South Kent Sussex coast-18.02.19

A reasonable day that started off around Dover and Shakespeare Cliff. We then travelled west turning for home in the half-light at Bishopstone on the Seaford branch.

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Images 1-46 of 46 displayed.

Former foot passenger entrance, Dover Marine station
Looking like it could be returned to use tomorrow, the former foot passenger entrance to Dover Marine station is seen through a securely locked gate. The large station was finally closed on 24.09.94 following a gradual run down of services that in itself followed the withdrawal of ferry services from the Western to the Eastern Docks. Whilst the station is often referred to as Dover Marine, it is also equally known as Dover Western Docks.
Keywords: Former foot passenger entrance Dover Marine station

Former Dover Marine station
Looking into the sun and the sea mist, the closed Dover Marine station is seen still proudly standing. The archways were were the railway tracks entered the station carrying passengers to and from in order to catch cross-channel ferries. In December 1989 I travelled through from Victoria to Dover Marine in order to catch a ferry to Oostende thence a sleeper service across Europe to Budapest changing at Vienna West (Wien Westbahnhof) station.
Keywords: Dover Marine station

Former Dover Marine station
To the right is the foot passenger entrance to Dover Marine (Western Docks) station. The passengers then walked along the raised and covered walkway and into the station that dominated the background. The area in the foreground was filled by a complex of railway lines. The station closed in 1994 and soon afterwards the tracks and other infrastructure was removed. The station, opened by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway in 1915 (with public use commencing in 1919), is grade II listed and in use a cruise terminal.
Keywords: Dover Marine station

Sat nav, Dover Marine station
Despite Dover Marine (Western Docks) being closed in 1994 my somewhat ageing TomTom sat nav still shows it and guided us straight there! In addition, as can be seen, it still shows the tracks despite them being lifted over twenty years ago!
Keywords: Dover Marine station

Former Dover Harbour station
The former Dover Harbour station. Following the expansion of the docks and harbour with the opening of the Western Docks station, the station was closed in July 1927. In recent years, a change of ownership has brought about some repairs and renovation including appropriate reproduction signage and painting.
Keywords: Dover Harbour station

395011, SE 08.49 Dover-London St. Pancras International (1J19, RT), Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388
Andy photographs 395011 'Katherine Grainger' working the 08.49 Dover to St. Pancras under the rather misty but fabled white cliffs. It is taken from the Samphire Hoe country park . This is a 30ha area of land was created from 4.9 million cubic metres of chalk marl that was excavated from under the channel during construction of the tunnel.
Keywords: 395011 08.49 Dover-London St. Pancras International 1J19 Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388

375304, SE 08.05 Ramsgate-London Charing Cross (2W26, RT), Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388
A broadside picture of 375304 passing under the famous white cliffs working the 08.05 Ramsgate to Charing Cross. Thirty years ago, I would have been standing in the sea to take this image as all the land in the foreground is formed from chalk spoil removed during the digging of the channel tunnel. The new land is now the Samphire Hoe country park that is owned by Eurotunnel who also have a presence on the site at the eastern end where the ventilation plant for the tunnel is housed in some large and heavily secured buildings.
Keywords: 375304 08.05 Ramsgate-London Charing Cross 2W26 Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388

375304, SE 08.05 Ramsgate-London Charing Cross (2W26, RT) & class 375 SE 07.09 London Charing Cross-Dover (2R11, 1L), Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388
With the haar clouding the top of the white cliffs the sun is attempting to break through at sea level. Two class 375s pass just outside of Abbotscliffe tunnel taken from Samphire Hoe country park. To the left is 375504 working the 08.05 Ramsgate to Charing Cross with another 375 to the right working the 07.09 Charing Cross to Dover.
Keywords: 375304 08.05 Ramsgate-London Charing Cross 2W26 class 375 07.09 London Charing Cross-Dover 2R11 Samphire Hoe Country Park TR286388

Folkestone Harbour signal box (SE & CR, 1933) (Closed)
Folkestone Harbour signal box is seen having been appropriately restored complete with a reproduction enamel name board. Since its official closure Folkestone Harbour station, along with the box, is having a new lease of life as part of the harbour leisure complex. The box was built by the Folkestone South Eastern and Chatham Railway but there is some debate as to when it opened, does anybody have a definitive answer to this question?
Keywords: Folkestone Harbour signal box

Ex Folkestone Harbour station
A lot of work is being undertaken on the old Folkestone Harbour station that was formally closed on 31st May 2014. It is being redeveloped as part of the wider project to rejuvenate the old harbour and front. This will include the placing of some restored Pullman coaches slightly further up the platforms.
Keywords: Ex Folkestone Harbour station

Former swing bridge, Folkestone Harbour
Following final closure and subsequent removal of the track, the Folkestone Harbour swing bridge has been renovated and put to use for pedestrians. This is a small part of the wider rejuvenation project for the harbour arm and greater harbour area.
Keywords: Former swing bridge Folkestone Harbour

Clearance, Folkestone Harbour branch TR233364
Having remained unused for a number of years since its official closure date, the Folkestone Harbour branch is finally being cleared ready for future use. Looking north from the foot crossing that links Tram and Dyke Roads sees that the vegetation has been cleared
Keywords: Clearance Folkestone Harbour branch TR233364

Clearance, Folkestone Harbour branch TR233364
Looking down the Folkestone Harbour branch from this angle emphasises the gradient made even clearer now that that the vegetation is in the process of being cleared. Unfortunately, this activity is not heralding reopening but to enable the removal of the railway infrastructure following its closure. This picture is taken from the foot crossing half way up the branch with the concrete viaduct that carries Bridge Road over the line in view.
Keywords: Clearance Folkestone Harbour branch TR233364

Clearance, Folkestone Harbour branch, Warren Road level crossing
A lot of activity at the former Warren Road level crossing on the Folkestone Harbour branch. The crossing infrastructure has been removed as have the tracks to the north of the road with the trackbed having been levelled. It's a shame that the branch has been closed. It's importance during both world wars was vital to the war effort with thousands of troops traversing the short branch thus affording them direct access to the vessels moored in the harbour.
Keywords: Folkestone Harbour branch Warren Road level crossing

Clearance, Folkestone Harbour branch, Warren Road level crossing
Looking south from the old Warren Road level crossing on the Folkestone Harbour branch sees a crew engaged in shredding following extensive clearance of trees and saplings. Unfortunately, this is no precursor to the line being re-opened but so it can be cleared of its infrastructure and put to a new use of which I am unsure. One would hope that it does not become a strip for development or turned into a road but that it performs a useful duty for the community such as a cycleway or walkway down through the town to the renovated harbour area.
Keywords: Folkestone Harbour branch Warren Road level crossing

Folkestone East signal box (BR, 1962)
Folkestone East signal box took some finding after resorting to studying Google Earth on my mobile 'phone! Andy and I eventually tracked it down by driving into Highfield Industrial estate. Right at the top end of the estate, this view of the box was revealed above a stack of accident damaged cars awaiting repair! The box is rarely photographed due to its location and I have found precious amount of information about it, apart from it being a British Railways structure dating from 1962. The box sits on the disused platform of Folkestone East station that was closed in September 1965. According to my relatively up to date track atlas, there is a Folkestone East Staff halt still in existence. As the name suggests, it is for staff needing to get to the stabling point and sidings just east of Folkestone. This is a similar situation to that found at Hoo Junction Staff halt, that Andy and I visited last year during our previous trip to Kent.
Keywords: Folkestone East signal box

375625, SE 08.34 London Charing Cross-Dover (2R18, 1E), Folkestone West station
SouthEastern's 375625 arrives at Folkestone West station with the 08.34 Charing Cross to Dover 2R18 working. Andy and I were a little peckish having had no breakfast so were pleased to find a nearby Tesco that provided us with a great fry-up and cup of tea!
Keywords: 375625 08.34 London Charing Cross-Dover 2R18 Folkestone West station

365625, SE 10.58 Dover-London Charing Cross (2W34, 1E), Sandling station
365625 arrives at Sandling station working the 10.58 Dover to Charing Cross. It's nice to see the original latticed wrought iron footbridge still in place and that it hasn't been replaced by a ghastly modern monstrosity. Sandling used to be named Sandling Junction as it was the point where the short three mile branch to Sandgate diverged. One of the two former platforms that served the branch was still intact just outside the station building to the right of where I am standing.
Keywords: 365625 10.58 Dover-London Charing Cross 2W34 Sandling station

$375801 & 375603, SE 09.40 London Charing Cross-Dover (2R24, 4L), Sandling station 375801 and 375503 drift into Sandling station working the 09.40 Charing Cross to Dover. Until the opening of HS1's section one in September 2003, services such as this one through Sandling shared the tracks with 300kmh capable class 373s forced to operate at a fraction of their maximum design speed! Keywords: 375801 375603 09.40 London Charing Cross-Dover 2R24 Sandling station$

373221, ES 10.56 Brussels Midi-London St. Pancras International (9129), Sandling TR145369
Having emerged from the Channel Tunnel some three miles ago, 373221 is still working up to it maximum speed with the 10.56 Brussels Midi to St. Pancras International. The train is passing a spot just adjacent to Sandling station that is on the 'classic' route. Close examination of the image reveals that the train is just about sharp using 1/1600 sec. I have never taken a picture of a Eurostar working at 300kmh but I suspect that even the camera's maximum 1/2000 sec. shutter speed would struggle to keep things under control!
Keywords: 373221 10.56 Brussels Midi-London St. Pancras International 9129 Sandling TR145369

377108, SN 13.00 Hastings-Brighton (2G31, 1E), Hastings station
Hastings station was a busy place with a regular number of trains coming and going. It also had the added bonus of still retaining semaphore signalling, at the eastern end at least, and a lovely signal box. 377108 waits to leave with the 13.00 to Brighton.
Keywords: 377108 13.00 Hastings-Brighton 2G31 Hastings station

Hastings signal box (SR, 1930)
Hastings signal box and one of the down starter brackets complete with shunting signals. The box is the first type of the Southern's standard designs and was constructed in 1930. Unusually, all the lines it controls are designated as 'down' due to the nomenclature permitting the direction (from London) being via Tunbridge Wells or Ashford. It's a busy box, with nearly all of its 84 levers still in use.
Keywords: Hastings signal box

377405, SN 11.35 Brighton-Ore (1F26, RT), Hastings station
377405 rattles out of Hastings station past the down starter bracket working the 11.35 Brighton to Ore. This traditional scene of a mechanical box and a wonderful array of semaphores is getting very rare on the network now. When re-signalling takes place it is often stated that the ancient Victorian infrastructure is being swept away (or something similar) being replaced by modern state-of-the-art electronic systems . The issue that I have with this is that the Victorian systems have operated perfectly safely for over a century. One wonders if the new electronic system will be doing the same in a hundred years time?
Keywords: 377405 11.35 Brighton-Ore 1F26 Hastings station

375825, SE 11.15 London Charing Cross-Hastings (1H30, 2E), Hastings station
378825 arrives at Hastings station with the 11.15 terminating service from Charing Cross. Jut a glimpse of the early sunshine remains brightening the scene.
Keywords: 375825 11.15 London Charing Cross-Hastings 1H30 Hastings station

375827, SE 11.45 London Charing Cross-Hastings (1H32, RT), West St. Leonards
Hastings, a town of under 100 000 people is blessed with no more than four stations! West St. Leonards is the (unsurprisingly!) most westerly of them at the point where the London line diverges from the coast route to Brighton. 375827 passes through the station with the 11.45 Charing Cross to Hastings service.
Keywords: 375827 11.45 London Charing Cross-Hastings 1H32 West St. Leonards station

Bopeep Junction signal box (SE, C.1912)
The delightfully named Bopeep Junction signal box was opened in 1912 by the South Eastern Railway. Whilst it has undergone some modernisation, its character remains very much the same. The unusual name is derived from a local pub that served the local shepherds (allegedly!).
Keywords: Bopeep Junction signal box

377413, SN 12.31 Brighton-Hastings (1G32, RT), Bexhill station
377413 arrives into Bexhill station with the 12.31 Brighton to Hastings local stopper. Notice the Southern Railway constructed transformer building to the right, these are located at regular intervals along the third-rail lines looking uncannily like signal boxes from a distance.
Keywords: 377413 12.31 Brighton-Hastings 1G32 Bexhill station

377418, SN 13.18 Ore-Brighton (1F45, RT), Bexhill station
Southern's 377418 pauses at Bexhill station working the 13.18 Ore to Brighton service. I was a little disappointed with Bexhill station, it was a bit dowdy but was undergoing a re-paint that would improve matters somewhat. It was also a bit of a surprise to witness a trio of youths smoking marijuana sitting on the wall out at the front of the station next to the parked van; I thought that Bexhill was a haven for retirees!
Keywords: 377418 13.18 Ore-Brighton 1F45 Bexhill station

Bexhill signal box (SECR 1876) (Closed)
The tiny ex Bexhill signal box is still in one piece at the end of the down platform. It was commissioned by the SECR in 1876 being built to a standard Saxby and Farmer design. It is unusual in that it still retains its chimney stack and pot, most being removed when the boxes were gradually updated over the years. Notice the mirror on the end for the signalman to be able to see the station past the obstructive wall. The box closed in February 2015 when re-signalling took place on this stretch of line. As it is complete one hopes that it can be preserved somewhere such as on one of the local heritage lines.
Keywords: Bexhill signal box

377413, SN 14.00 Hastings-Brighton (2G35, 1E), Pevensey & Westham station
377413 drifts into Pavensey and Westerham station with the 14.00 Hastings to Brighton service. Unfortunately, I was four years too late to capture the semaphores and signal box. The footprint of the box on the down platform behind where I am standing could be made out
Keywords: 377413 14.00 Hastings-Brighton 2G35 Pevensey & Westham station

377119, SN 13.31 Brighton-Hastings (1G36, RT), Pevensey & Westham station
377119 passes through Pevensey and Westham station with the 13.31 Brighton to Hastings service. Notice the relay room on the down platform surrounded by palisade fencing, this was where the signal box was located. Also notice the white RADAR/LiDAR transmitter/receiver by the level crossing. This is part of the object detection system that is one control aspect of the crossing. It is this system that gave so much trouble when it was installed on the Thetford line particularly at Brandon level crossing.
Keywords: 377119 13.31 Brighton-Hastings 1G36 Pevensey & Westham station

377116, SN 14.18 Ore-Brighton (1F49, RT), Berwick station
377116 passes Berwick level crossing at speed with the 14.18 Ore to Brighton train. It is testament to the technology in a modern camera such as the canon GX1 Mk.IV that a fast shutter speed can be used in such dull conditions and still produce a reasonably noise-free result with very good tonal range. The last time that I photographed this unit was at Billingshurst in April 2013, see..... https://www.ontheupfast.com/p/21936chg/30053859246/x377116-unidentified-up-working-billingshurst
Keywords: 377116 14.18 Ore-Brighton 1F49 Berwick station

Berwick signal box (LB & SCR, 1879) (Closed)
The lovely ex London Brighton and South Coast Railway signal box at Berwick. It is a Saxby and farmer design being opened in 1879. It retains all of its original features and is painted in the correct Southern green colours scheme. Like its smaller cousin at Bexhill, it retains its chimney stack and pot, but this example also has its lovely (reproduction?) steps.
Keywords: Berwick signal box

377103, SN 14.33 Ore-Brighton (1G37, 1E), Glynde station
377103 pauses at Glynde station in the pouring rain working the 14.33 Ore to Brighton. There were a couple of passengers on the station with nobody alighting from the train in this small and quiet village. There were few cars in the car park so it did not appear to be a particular favourite with the 9-5 commuters.
Keywords: 377103 14.33 Ore-Brighton 1G37 Glynde station

Southease station
Virtually all of the structure and parts of Southease station from the railing posts to the footbridge would have been a product of the Southern's concrete works at Exeter. They pre-fabricated many of their structures and much remains in use today. Situated at a remote spot in the Ouse Valley, on the Lewis to Seaford branch, it has a surprisingly high number of customers nearing 20 000 last year. I suspect that most are walkers and cyclists using the station as part of an outing on the South Downs Way that crosses the line at the end of the platforms over the level crossing.
Keywords: Southease station

313207, SN 15.53 Seaford-Brighton (2C45, 1E), Newhaven Harbour-station
In this fascinating view 313207 is about to cross the doomed level crossing at Newhaven Harbour station with the 15.53 Seaford to Brighton service. Also in this picture is Newhaven Harbour signal box that is also doomed with both only having three weeks left in use before closure and decommissioning. The new signalling is seen under plastic bags with tape crosses to the left and the old machinery to be removed daubed with green crosses.
Keywords: 313207 15.53 Seaford-Brighton 2C45 Newhaven Harbour-station

NR crossing closure notice, Newhaven Harbour level crossing
Network Rail's closure notice relating to the level crossing just south of Newhaven Harbour station. It's not surprising that the crossing is closing as the road really goes nowhere with alternative access easily available. We also subsequently found out that the narrow strip of land where the signal box is located will become part of the harbour's property with them moving their fence to the railway boundary thus totally negating any need for access. It's interesting to note that 'passengers requiring step free access should use Newhaven Town station', this is some distance away. In other words, it means that these passengers cannot use Harbour station, I don't think that this will go down well and is not an act of inclusiveness that I am sure that disability rights' groups should be taking up.
Keywords: NR crossing closure notice Newhaven Harbour level crossing

Track diagram, Newhaven Harbour signal box
We were afforded access to Newhaven Harbour signal box by the signalman. Apparently, with just less than three weeks of operation remaining, we were two of many visitors to observe its operations during the twilight of it's life. In this image, the track diagram can be seen stretching from Harbour station all the way to Seaford. The remaining stub of the Newhaven Marine line can also be seen.
Keywords: Track diagram Newhaven Harbour signal box

Levers, track diagram & block instruments, Newhaven Harbour signal box
A general view looking down the length of the 1886 Newhaven Harbour signal box. It shows the levers, block instruments and the track diagram. The signalmen, who afforded us this rare visit, was quite sanguine about its closure and was looking forward to his retirement. Notice the number of levers painted white indicating them being out of use. Andy and I were pleased to hear that the box was not being demolished but had a future as a mess-room of some kind when it become part of the Newhaven Harbour complex. I hope that it is appropriately maintained and looked after.
Keywords: Levers track diagram block instruments Newhaven Harbour signal box

Block instruments, Newhaven Harbour signal box
Inside Newhaven Harbour signal box one of the remaining ex Southern Railway three-position block instruments is seen being still in use. The application of the green crosses crudely fabricated from what looked to be insulation tape indicates that, when the box closes in three weeks time, this piece of equipment is surplus and earmarked for removal. I hope that this vintage and perfectly serviceable equipment is not simply 'skipped' but is either stored for possible re-use, preserved or offered to heritage railways.
Keywords: Block instruments Newhaven Harbour signal box

Sign, Newhaven Marine station
A rather faded BR (NSE) sign directing passengers to Newhaven harbour station. It is situated on the end of the old platform of the former, and now demolished, Newhaven Marine station. No passengers have been directed by this sign for many years with the last public train using the station in August 2006 with the exception of the Parliamentary Train and ECS moves.
Keywords: Sign Newhaven Marine station

Andy, Newhaven Marine station
This was as far as we were permitted to go on to the old platforms of Newhaven Marine station. Since my last visit the station buildings have been demolished and the signal arm on the post to the left has also been removed. With the closure of the signal box and the adjacent level crossing the track past the old station is not going to be removed. Indeed, it is to be extended and will see future use carrying freight into the harbour complex down in the distance.
Keywords: Andy Newhaven Marine station

Newhaven Harbour level crossing & signal box
With just three weeks left in operation, the signal box and level crossing at Newhaven Harbour are seen. The Seaford branch continues off to the left in this image with the double track line becoming single just around the curve. The lines straight ahead, past the box, are the short spur that terminates next to the closed Newhaven Marine station. These are to see future use carrying freight into the harbour complex.
Keywords: Newhaven Harbour level crossing signal box

Newhaven Town signal box (LBSC, E.1879)
I have taken pictures in the past of Newhaven Town signal box. However, as it had less than three weeks left in operation I felt it appropriate to add another picture. The London, Brighton and South Coast Railway box looks a little tatty and un-loved.
Keywords: Newhaven Town signal box

Frontage, Bishopstone station
The unusual design of Bishopstone station is clear in this image. Constructed in 1938, the station was designed by the Southern's chief architect James Robb Scott in the art deco style. The main building of the station is symmetrical, with an octagonal central booking hall and two extended wings. One of these wings formerly contained the ticket office and parcels office, now it is boarded up, was rather dismal and smelled of urine! Notice the two pill boxes on the roof added in 1940. Surprisingly, given it was war time, they have been sympathetically blended to the original structure. Yes, that is my trusty Combo van parked in front of the building!
Keywords: Frontage Bishopstone station

313220, SO 16.11 Brighton-Seaford (2C44, RT), Bishopstone station
In the dying early evening light, 313220 arrives at Bishopstone station with the 16.11 Brighton to Seaford service. In the background, the breakwaters of Newhaven Harbour can seen and a calm English Channel. Bishopstone station enjoys a regular service operated by Southern but only has one of its former two platforms in use. It saw a significant increase in traffic between 1939 and 1945 with the addition of a bay platform.
Keywords: 313220 16.11 Brighton-Seaford 2C44 Bishopstone station

Images 1-46 of 46 displayed.