22. Kent-28.12.80-03.01.81

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-1980 > 22. Kent-28.12.80-03.01.81

The Wiltshire Scouts' midwinter expedition this year headed east to Kent. Not quite as challenging as North Wales last year but nonetheless, there was some distance to be covered! I have grouped all the railway images together rather than separating them into a day by day file. These were my final images of 1980 with the last three actually being from 1981.

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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

SR cast sign, Shere TQ069468-28.12.80
Whilst following our walking route we crossed the railway at Shere approximately halfway between Guildford and Dorking. At the foot crossing on Shere Heath, this former Southern Railway cast sign was still warning pedestrians.
Keywords: SR cast sign Shere TQ069468

Merstham station & signal box (SE&C, 1905)-29.12.80
Taken from Rockshaw Road using my telephoto lens Merstham station is seen located on the former South Eastern & Chatham Railway route between Brighton and Charing Cross. On the down platform, the signal box can be seen, a SE & C structure dating from 1905. To the left beyond the stored wagons and brake van are some sidings and then the lines of the London and Brighton Railway route. Both routes have just emerged from parallel tunnels that have passed under the North Downs.
Keywords: Merstham station signal box

EMU, 11.49 Three Bridges-London Victoria, Merstham-29.12.80
What I believe to be a 4Cig unit passes Merstham with the 11.49 Three Bridges to London Victoria semi-fast working displaying the correct 44 Southern Region headcode. The rear coach of the four-car set is just crossing the M25 motorway deep in the concrete cutting. I am standing on Rockshaw Road bridge over which the Pilgrims' Way long-distance footpath crosses that my Venture Scout patrol group were following. Quite how I persuaded my patrol group to stand and wait for a train is a surprise, but perhaps it was a coincidence?
Keywords: 4Cig EMU, 11.49 Three Bridges-London Victoria, Merstham TQ291537

1002, unidentified London Charing Cross-Hastings working (22), Otford TQ514584-30.01.80
Just west of the village of Otford the Pilgrims' Way crosses the London to Hastings line. As my patrol was crossing the bridge I heard the unmistakable sound of a Thumper approaching from the London direction having just emerged from Polehill tunnel. With the escarpment of the North Downs in the background DEMU 'Slim Jim' 1004 heads south with an unidentified Charing Cross to Hastings service via Orpington and Battle service. Close examination reveals some oast houses at the foot of the escarpment with their associated hop plantations to the immediate right.
Keywords: 1002 London Charing Cross-Hastings via Orpington & Battle working 22 Otford TQ514584

New Hythe signal box (SR, 1939)-31.12.80
New Hythe signal box would have won no prizes in the design awards! Built by the Southern Railway in 1939 to an austerity design it was a simple brick-built box with a single slab of concrete for the roof probably made at the company's Exeter plant where most of their railway infrastructure was manufactured. It controlled the level crossing into an industrial area on the Medway Estuary and was in use until 2005 when the crossing was replaced by a huge bridge. With the abolition of the box, the block section was then extended from Snodland to the north to Aylesford to the south. I am not at all sure why the signalman and his friend are looking at me laughing and waving? Perhaps it's the sight of a Venture Scout complete with a fully packed rucksack and walking gear taking a photograph of a signal box! This was my final photograph of 1980 taken on New Year's eve.
Keywords: New Hythe Signal Box

EMU, 15.10 Ashford-London Victoria, Charing TQ943492-01.01.81
I am not too good on my identification of Southern Region EMUs so if somebody can update me with what class this one is please get in contact! If it helps, it is working the 15.10 Ashford to Victoria service on New Year's day 1981. It has just left (or passed?) Charing station the down home signal of which can be seen to the right.
Keywords: EMU 15.10 Ashford-London Victoria Charing TQ943492

EMU, 13.55 London Victoria-Ashford, Charing TQ943492-01.01.81
Looking across the fields towards the village of Charing sees an unidentified Southern Region EMU approaching the station working the 13.55 Victoria to Ashford service. Unfortunately, I do not know what class of EMU is seen in this photograph. If anybody can advise me I will update my records.
Keywords: EMU 13.55 London Victoria-Ashford, Charing TQ943492

BR(S) enamel sign, Canterbury-03.01.81
While wandering around Canterbury on the morning of our journey home to Wiltshire I spotted these signs on a street corner. Unfortunately, my records do not have a note of the particular street that they were located. With one sign pointing to the well regarded Marlowe Theatre, the other is a sad-looking British Railways (Southern) enamel sign with a double arrow tail pointing towards Canterbury East station. Given that the Marlowe is nearer to Canterbury West station then I suspect that it was in this part of the town. Whilst the wooden frame is falling apart I hope that the sign survived to be rescued and saved.
Keywords: BR(S) enamel sign, Canterbury.

Otford Junction signal box (SE & C, c.1899)-03.01.81
Quite how I managed to take this photograph remains a bit of a mystery! It is taken from our coach as we return home from Canterbury to Salisbury as we make our way along the M26 motorway. Had I got my camera in my hand all set up by chance or was I prepared knowing that we would pass it and that it would be in view? We are about to pass under the SE & C line from Swanly Junction to Sevenoaks with Otford Junction signal box seen high on the embankment. The junction is where the Maidstone route heads off to the east. The box retains its attraction Southern wooden name board but the roof has been rather crudely replaced with what appears to be white asbestos sheeting. Opened in 1899, the SE & C box was to close in 1983 with control moving to the Victoria Signalling Centre.
Keywords: Otford Junction signal box

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.