Folkestone Harbour Abandoned Station. Feat: Calling All Stations.
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- čas přidán 14. 01. 2020
- Hey folks.
We spent an enjoyable day with the "Calling All Stations" team, exploring the remains of Folkestone Harbour Railway Station and its rather delightful conversion to a public space.
You can visit their CZcams Channel here: / aventinemedia
You can watch their video here: • Recycled Railways: fea...
In the mean time here are a bunch of links that we would also love for you to visit:
www.paulwhitewick.co.uk
/ everydisusedstation
stores.clothes2order.com/dztz...
Twitter: @PaulWhitewick
Twitter: @RWhitewick
Twitter: @CASRailwayBlog
Until next week.
Paul and Rebecca - Zábava
Hey folks. Check out Andy and Teams Video here: czcams.com/video/08JDEHXAtlo/video.html
At 2:35....... The Link top right was missing.
A great vid as always. I grew up in Kent, SO lots of memories of visiting Folkstone, watching the trains going in and out of Harbour Station. We always arrived from the Dover direction, so would often see a train in the siding at Folkestone East waiting to go down to the harbour or join the main line to continue it's journey to Victoria.
If you want to find a snap shot of Folkestone Harbour Station and the ferry operating watch the first episode of "Around the World in Eighty Days" with Michael Palin.
I live just outside Folkestone. Thank you for coming.
Thanks mate. Found it at www.dailymotion.com/video/x1z36ny 17:30 min. I just love Folkestone history.
I live in Folkestone, it’s a lovely place to live. A fun fact is that the Foord viaduct to the east of central station is the world’s tallest brick arched viaduct.
Ah thats a shame we didn't get to see it!
I was lucky enough to use this station as a child in 80s with my nan, loved going over the harbour
Glad Folkstone Harbour station has been preserved even though no trains can now run there. I went on a train to this station only once in 1971 on a boat train from Victoria. The 1 in 30 gradient down to the harbour is considered dangerous by Network Rail, so that's why it has not been restored as a working or preserved line station. A modern underground train can handle that gradient, but such trains have aluminium bodies which corrode in a marine environment. The Isle of Wight is now the only place where you can ride out onto the harbour on a train.
Cheers and thanks for sharing.
This must be the only one of the abandoned stations that you've covered so far that I've actually visited and used whilst it was still open! It had a few regular trains connecting with catamarans to Boulogne in it's last few years, it seems strange seeing it as it is now...at least they've turned it into something practical, it looks good.
Nice to see all the four of you together, all dong a great job of promoting the history and future ways to preserve some of our abandoned railways and infrastructure.
Nice to see that Folkstone Harbour has been part restored and put to good use.
Cheers
Geoff
Thank you Geoff. 👍👍
Excellent stuff again, Whitewicks....and great crossover with Mr Carter.
Cheers Mr Karl.
In 1986 we somehow ended up in Folkstone en-route Paris to London , we should had been in Dover. Waiting for ever for the train to London to leave our Canadian children were having some sort of joke. I went to see what was happening, to find our son with one foot in the train and one on the platform with his sister laughing her socks off. What is funny I asked, he pointing at BR sign and informing me that he was "minding the gap!"
Nice video guys thanks.
😂😂
I like this cooperation very much! 👍 Hope there will be more... 🙂
There most certainly will. I suspect when the guys do Season Three.
That was excellent, really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for taking me along
Thanks Linda a pleasure
Nice overview of whats there. Last time I was there I was on holiday as a kid and remember watching trains going over the bridge. Nice join up with Andy and Victoria, their vid is excellent to. (Nice bit when they are being you and you being them on their vid!)
I was there about 6-7 years ago and I noticed both the gradient and the dereliction. Good to see it looking so much better. Excellent work as ever! Thanks, Colin
Thanks Colin.
This brought back so many happy memories. As a child I used to live on a yacht right by the swing bridge. My parents rented our house out for 2-week holiday lets (an early form of Airbnb) and the 4 of us lived on our yacht for 8 months of the year.
As the trains entered or left Folkestone Harbour Station going around those sharp S-bends the wheels produced a tortured screech of metal on metal before the train pulled out - followed by the clack-clack as the wheels crossed the gap in the rails for the swing bridge and powered up to climb the 1 in 30 gradient.
There had been plans to extend the branch line from Sandling through Hythe and Sandgate along to the harbour and thus avoiding the gradient and also the switchback at Folkestone East. However that didn't go ahead partly because of opposition from the major land owner Lord Radnor. (The park just by Folkestone Central Station straight ahead of the camera at 1:15 is named after him, Radnor Park).
The line was electrified in the early 1960's but the old steam tank engines were still being used to haul the freight train up the incline until the freight trade ceased in 1968. Folkestone Yacht Club had a boat storage area adjacent to the line near the start of the incline and would occasionally have dinghies stored there catch fire from embers blown out from the hard working engines.
Great to see the signal box at the end of the Up platform converted to a cafe but with all the levers still in situ.
The yacht club is still there.
One word - "superb".
The biggest mistake ever closing that line down used to be nice to see the steam trains go over the bridge used to bring in a few tourist to Folkestone
Discovered this video after watching Geoff Marshalls recent video about Folkstone Harbour, now I'm off to Calling All Stations after discovering their channel.
Awesome video once again. Loved the hilarious ending too.
Wish I'd have visited there before I got more restricted. Looked a great place to visit. Nice to see a ''get together''. cheers
Cheers Keith, likewise.
Many thanks for this excellent video guys,this brought back memories as I was living in Folkestone at the time of the closure just along the road in Sandgate and remember it very well,i moved away shortly after and haven't visited it since so it's nice to see that it has been looked after and made into a beautiful public space as it was not in the best of states on closure.. Many thanks again 👍
It's a wonderful place, steeped in history and respectful of its railway history. I've been there all afternoon and it's one of my favourite places in Kent. Another good video!
Thanks Paul.
Great video, did love the ending of the video which was brilliant and made me laugh, ‘we see you at the next stop’ and ran off 😂
Haha... Yup we weren't expecting that line!
Good video folks cool...
hey paul and rebecca , great video again , wow that place has changed since i was there last lol , omg loved the bit at the end , so funny lmao :)
Love the way you all co-operated in making this entertaining film!
Thanks Richard. A fun day out!
Brilliant one - love what they have done there. Caught a train there in 1989 coming home from France...
Yup, this is exactly what we love to see
Wow. That train was late arriving! ;-)
Yippeeee 6pm not 4pm 😂
I'm sat at home and can now sit back and enjoy 😊
Happy new year btw 👍🏻
I remember this reversing siding! I knew I had been on a train that did that when going for a day trip to France as a kid, but could not for the life of me remember where it was!!! I think I was on a 4VEP or similar. Definitely a slam-door electric.
Back in the 1970sI went on a railtourto the harbour branch on one of the old Hastings Units, because these units lacked the power to easily climb back out of the branch they proved a Class 73 loco to assisst us, but because it could not couple to our unit it was not allowed to help, and the unit struggledto make it back to the main line, it next went down the Poet Richmond branch were we had to stop to top up the water cooling systems on the units, they did that by climbing over a garden fence and borrowing a couple of watering cans, but we eventually continued the tour. Later I was able to photgraph a couple of standard tanks top and tailing a shuttle to the harbour station, lovely sight and sound.
Brilliant, thanks for sharing Glenn.
Great video Paul and Rebecca, looks amazing their, it's great that a lot of its been saved,been down that way recently but didn't get the chance to go,but will definitely be on my list to visit,also gave Andy a sub👌😀
Cheers Shaun. You won't regret the subscription. A varied bunch of very well put together videos.
Fabulous , love your vids , keep em coming !!
Thanks Shady
Yes; a very strange place. I remember during army days going to those very same platforms when the rails were still there; sadly can't just remember why we were there; such is is service life; but I do remember that long curved platform and the wall which must be essential during a storm. Shame you didn't introduce the other lady. I do like your ending!
It’s good they have kept the old part
Absolutely Caroline. We love to see this type of restoration
I used that line a couple of times so the video brought back happy memories. Made me laugh to see a photo from the Woodhead line slipped in there, presumably as a little joke!😂😂😂
Hi Paul rebecca,now this is very interesting feature my wife and i live in canterbury not far from there,weve been there so many times,i remeber so well when the last train travelled on this line,i always wondered what was the finished design, such a shame to see it look so different but glad it still looks similar to what it used to,thank you both for this video,top marks to you both .
I know this place well. I used to stay at the 'not so Grand Burstin Hovel ' on my coach tours. Sorry, I meant to say Hotel lol.
The station was totally derelict then, it must be 10 years since I did that tour.
I used to do a day to Ostend, a day to Canterbury, and had a sandwich in Sandwich, and did a deal in Deal lol.
The station was latterly used for Steam Specials before it closed completely.
I was staying there and did the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch on my day off.
Never mind the channel tunnel. Look at that beautiful town and beautiful station. Who needs a channel tunnel with no view at all? A crying shame that they closed the line. Great video as always.
Cheers Dr
@@pwhitewick Been a while since anyone called me that. :)
Fact: Most soldiers leaving for WW1 left through Folkestone.
Interesting fact, thank you.
Great stuff, and I did enjoy your CAS collaboration.
I am pleased with how Folkestone is being regenerated. Years ago, while working for the Charity Commission (the regulator of charities), I had a meeting in Folkestone with the charity behind much of the regeneration, including the Folkestone Triennial arts festival, and its founder, the ex-owner of Saga, Roger de Haan (probably the wealthiest person I have ever met). It's great to see that that charity's, and others', efforts are paying off.
I liked Folkestone then, and it looks like it's well worth me returning now.
Interesting vid about Folkestone Harbour Station. I remember the last time I used it. Back in May 1994, during the celebrations for the opening of the channel tunnel. A special train ran, i believe it was a steam special, and the weather that evening was thoroughly wet. Is nice to see the area has been tidied up. But with the housing plan in the immediate vicinity, it would be a wise idea to reopen. I see the rails are still in situ, i think it is still connected to the network.
Interesting video, I was last there when Bullied. Oliver Cromwell paid a farewell visit. Looks like a cool place now, good excuse to visit in the summer. Interesting interview you gave on calling all stations and well worth a peep.
Thanks Gary. Yup, we enjoyed appearing on their channel.
As always another great video.Like the comedy bits."That's All Folks(tone)".
I have worked up and there since I started on the footplate in 1977 as a secondman. As a qualified train driver my first E.M.U. driving turn was down the harbour back in 1985. Sad to see it closed, but at least it has not been demolished. Folkestone East train roads are still in use for could berthing trains. The gradient is 1 in 30 and the E.M.U.s had a series switch, (so the traction motors would be kept in series and not overheat the resistance grids), to allow them to climb the gradient.
This video brought back many fond memories of Folkestone Harbour - my Dad (Les Hogben) was the head shunter at this station for many years and I remember they sometimes had one engine on the front and two on the back so they could get up to the junction station. We lived in Harbour Way so you could see them going past our house on the way up. I also had the opportunity to help stoke up on a couple of occasions. Before my Dad retired I also remember the Orient Express arriving at the Harbour with Terry Wogan on board making a film. My son was allowed to go in the engine and he sounded the horn as he went past our house (this was all before risk assessments!) There was two signal boxes - one for the main line and another smaller one further round towards the pier on the left hand side - this was operated by the shunters for the yard behind. As I said fond memories
Another great video
If memory serves the WRVS ran a canteen at the station and troops leaving for France could sign a book to show they had been there. Some interesting people signed and they are still about in a museum near their I think. Anyway another cracking video thanks
Thank you Stephen.
That’s a great track to go with this vid....
Thanks Hugo. It did seem to lend itself to the day
Very enjoyable. Our fav camping place for our Airtent is The Warren nearby- and Kent offers a lot . Trying to grapple with Discord but not sure if a Kindle Fire supports that. I am trying! Thanks for the invite!
Another cracking video Grommit - sorry I meant Paul & Rebecca !! 😱
My wife will be especially pleased as she was born in Folkestone (with an 'F' not a 'V' please Mr W !! 😎)
I was lucky enough to get the boat train (and it’s connecting ferry) to/from here in 1980 on a school trip.
Another great video, thank you. Your uploads never disappoint! For once, I am seeing an "explore" of a station which I used many times when open. I wonder whether I may just challenge the B & W still photo at 8:23, please? This appears to show overhead electrification of the d.c. type used upon the trans-Pennine Woodhead route whereas Folkestone Harbour was, of course, electrified by the third rail. (I well remember the pyrotechnics this caused in rough weather when the sea broke over the rails. It was like watching someone do arch-welding!)
Thanks Stuart. Yup I was short on time and need an example of "banking engines". This was all I could find copyright free.
@@pwhitewick Fair enough! I didn't mean to criticise! Thank you for replying. I may be wrong here but I believe that one of the reasons for using multiple small tanks for banking (rather than the 0-10-0 "Big Bertha" used upon the Lickey Incline ) was an axle-load restriction on the brick viaduct at the Harbour whose foundations were shallow.
@@stuarthall6631 ah that would also make sense. Cheers Stuart.
Inspired by your videos I am planning a trip to see the Volks Electric Railway and Volkestone Harbour. I will of course be traveling in my Volkswagen.
It's Folkestone not Volkstone
Eh eh, crafty or wot? Sneaking a pic of my beloved Wentworth incline in a vid about Folkestone. Nice one folks.
Pity the Folkestone branch has had it, I never went when I had the chance, more fool me. Pity it can't fulfil its original purpose still, but at least it's still not to messed about with, it looks allright. Odd thing to do for a day out but I can see it could work as a destination due to its pretty unique situation. Nice vid, chaps, thanx for posting, Cheers!
Haha.... Yeah that's called Lazy editing!
S'allright....it's nice to see one of the lesser known, but equally strenuous regular bank engine sections in this country. Bromsgrove might have had more glamour, (might!) but Wentworth was 'it' for me. I am of course biased as I used to work over it on electrics! Up to 4 on a train, working very hard. Unique, in fact. Always nice to see it pop up anywhere, so thanx again .
Great collab guys! More Whitewick's Abandoned Railways x Calling All Stations please!
Cheers Simon. Certainly won't be the last time we meet with Andy and the Team.
A 1/30 or 3.33% slope is considered steep for a locomotive pulling a full load of cars since it's steel wheels on steel rails . This would have low friction coefficient . Nice .
Yup, not many with such a gradient. I can only think of one or two.
Paul: What are we doing today, Rebecca
Rebecca: I've no idea.
Brilliant. Enjoy Volkestone, sorry Folkestone.
😅😅
Think I'll drive down in my Folkeswagen beetle!
Brilliant video! This must be the most recently closed station you've visited so far? I remember there being a group who wanted to run it as a preserved line and call it "The Remembrance Line". Shame that never happened but at least it's been preserved with a very much railway theme. I believe the original plan was to open up the harbor by demolishing the via cut what would have been a great shame so I'm glad that didn't happen!
Yup I doubt there are too many others from 2000 onwards?
@@pwhitewick Silvertown and North Woolwich spring to mind or are you counting them as the North Woolwich Branch was replaced by the DLR? I believe British Steel Redcar has now closed, that could be a challenge to visit as it's on the steelworks land. I'd love to see the video if you do visit thought.
Signal box!!! Also, the end bit made me laugh. :-D I want to go to there!!! What is that book Andy has? I want that, too. Thanks, folks!
I like stuff like this
This pleases us.
@@pwhitewick My work here is done
Nice crossover - the two videos complement each other; looking forward to getting down to Folkestone this year
Thanks Martin.
Good video that, I have seen some of the videos from those other two, but wasn't subbed, I just did though, do more with them and take Geoff somewhere too lol
Excellent 👍🏻
Did they upgrade it to be modern before or after closing it ?
I am pretty sure, from what I remember of this in its final operational years, that it was modernised after.
Paul did I see the Golden Arrow when you talked about the steep gradients or not??
8:23 photo - New type of third rail, or was it for the BR class 71 electrics which had overhead wires for shunting? Think it looks a lot like the Woodhead line - Worsbrough bank near Barnsley.
PS there are also lots of videos of the 'last, last, last steam train on 'Volks Stone' harbour branch. And yes, it looks a lot better now they have 'cleaned the area up. ;-)
Yup that was called "lazy editing" or "Panic I need a banking engine example and nothing is available copyright free".
Couple Questions. When did Folkstone station close down and was it because the port isn't used anymore? Also, are there any plans to redevelop it anytime soon?
That really is a recently closed line! Such a shame, it looks it would have been quite the spectacular ride.
Yup, lack of commercial viability so this is definitely a second best!
@@pwhitewick I think a lot of local councils do miss the boat with abandoned railways. Near me, the Hull and Hornsea line was turned into a cycle track, but the infinitely prettier Wolds stretch of the Hull and Barnsley Railway, with tunnels and bridges, was just left to rot, and had its spectacular 80ft cutting filled in with landfill. With some careful conservation and management that could have been a serious tourist attraction. But then conversely we wouldn't get our wild and overgrown romantic abandoned railways!
Nice topic, nice contributors, not enough Rebecca...let's hope this deficiency is rectified as the year progresses...
Couldn't agree more. I'm not surprised to hear I'm not the only Rebecca fan around. :-)
Nice video 🚂🚶🏼♂️🚶🏼♀️
Is there no possibility of someone laying a ride-on steam railway track up to the light-house end to make use of this wonderful disused harbour station - I was of course thinking of the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch line extending to there?
Well that does sound like a fun idea. Perhaps a summer thing though!
@@pwhitewick Looks like there was a line from Hythe to Folkestone in the "old days"?
There was the line from Sandling (Jnc) through Hythe to Sandgate. There was also a tramway from Hythe through Sandgate to Folkestone. As well as the light railway.
@@robertperring4194 I wonder if anyone has a video or film of the tramway or light railway to put on CZcams? Wouldn't that be something to view!
@@greatbritishentertainmentl5636 if you travel to Hythe or look at Google Earth you will see across the road by the Red Lion there is a building of the old tram station. I have seen still photos, but not moving pictures.
Very interesting.
Bob Alberta.
Thank you Bob from Alberta
Love all your vids, please take a minute and nip back to the saughtree vid I have put a link on to a very old film showing the station there which you may have seen.
Will do 👍
When are you Collaborating with Techmoan for a Train related Audio Thing?
Good site good presenter s better than t v anyday thank you
Aahhh thanks Pip.
Such a shame they couldn't do this transformation to the Weymouth Harbour station that is no longer used. Not sure it's classed as disused though. Is it on your list?
Closed in 2009 as vsoe ran trains twice weekly until 2008, then a steamer ran for the final time in 2009
Its 2020 !
You passed the test... (And you are the first!).
Interesting, Rebecca joins Vicki Pipe, then _Calling All Stations_ joins Rebecca and Paul. So whom exactly will join _Calling All Stations?_
Big Clive and his Lightbulbs
I do a lot of birding in the Boulder Range Montana, just south of me in Alberta. I found this old tunnel 2 years ago.
czcams.com/video/71kFiM3kbFA/video.html
Wonderful thanks Bob.
Did did you know Folkestone has their own scrap yard full of trains Ann some trains still exist today and jazz a train name big boy and the train has two pistons
So sad to watch...😔
Perhaps, but at least there is a significant restoration project here which means everyone is aware of the history.
How this be abandoned when it's been turn in to modern walk way and there's people still using it so it ain't exactly abandoned now is
Indeed not. Perhaps Abandoned from its original intended purpose. Welcome to youtube
It was renovated within the last 2-3 years
Here is a spiral tunnel for you!!
czcams.com/video/AzBEu5H8ros/video.html
Oh well thats just mad!
Like your leggings rebecca
It's pronounced Fokes-ton, but with an 'L' in front of the 'K' that is so quiet you can't hear it. Now, say after me...
Could have been a really interesting video, but it was a shambles
Thanks for the feedback Longster. Perhaps if you have a different idea on how to produce videos for CZcams maybe you should give it a go.
God, Folkestone looks like a real $hit hole now. I lived there for years, watched the last train go up the hill (2009ish) the man who owned the rotunda sat on his land and his wallet whilst dehane (saga) wanted to put money into the place. Just a immigrants knocking shop now. Shame
We walked up into the town and there are some lovely streets. Admittedly there were a few dodgy areas!
@@pwhitewick the old high street was sort of a "cause célèbre" but the clients they needed preferred Hythe or Sandgate. The quater near the harbour was given a death sentence in 2012 with the "afghan ritz" opening. That gutted what was left if any chance to regain a hint of folkestone hayday sophistication. You should have shown the "folkestone lift" in your video.