Folkestone Harbour station - news and photos

[editor]

I didn't think it would be possible to stumble upon a derelict stations untouched by graffiti and looking like something just closed by Beeching in the 60s, but as disused stations go, Folkestone Harbour is a beaut!

The signal box is still there in immaculate condition, the canopies have lost their glass, there's a weighing machine without an arm, there's still one pair of heavily rusted tracks running into the station and there's even a signal pointlessly stuck on red after the track has been lifted.

Photo report here

 

[Roadkill]

Interesting stuff ed. Good pics too.

 

[Pie 1]

I was sailing with a friend from Ramsgate to Brighton last year & we dropped anchor for the night in folkstone harbour took the dingy to the harbour wall & climbed up & found this place.
Quite spooky at dusk! But damn facsinating.

Picture of the end of the line on the harbour wall from the boat.

 

[editor]

Network have proposed closing the station and the branch line as soon as possible. There's a consultation going on until Feb 2014.

More here: http://www.urban75.org/blog/folkest...re-proposed-consultation-open-until-feb-2014/

 

[davesgcr]

Regrettably - it has "had it" - no regular traffic anymore and much money needed to retain. Gradient a bit steep for a velo rail operation. The Chunnel did for it - along with the long ago sale of Sealink to Sea Containers .....(who rationalised steam packet services)

 

[SikhWarrioR]

Regrettably - it has "had it" - no regular traffic anymore and much money needed to retain. Gradient a bit steep for a velo rail operation. The Chunnel did for it - along with the long ago sale of Sealink to Sea Containers .....(who rationalised steam packet services)

Sea Containers.....If my memory serves me correctly where not they involved in the original privatised ECML operation GNER

 

[davesgcr]

Sea Containers.....If my memory serves me correctly where not they involved in the original privatised ECML operation GNER

Indeed - Sea Containers = GNER , a stylish and democratic operation IMHO , - but the parent company went into financial trouble , which resulted in them handing back their second franchise period. (other issues also such as a tough premium and a fall-off in leisure traffic)

 

[editor]

It's now being converted into 'Folkestone Harbour Arm'

Folkestone Harbour Arm set to reopen as next stage of development gets underway

 

[davesgcr]

It's now being converted into 'Folkestone Harbour Arm'

Folkestone Harbour Arm set to reopen as next stage of development gets underway

Some of the disused track etc in the station was quite reasonable , and ideal for use on a preserved railway. (as opposed to scrapping it) , so I made the suggestion to Network Rail and hope that it was acted on. Someone like the Kent and East Sussex which is actively extending not that far away.

 

[davesgcr]

Steady improvement all round and well worth a dekko , - work still in progress , but it has helped spruce up the area and seems to be bringing in the visitors.

 

[editor]

Poignant stuff

 

[editor]

Part of the line is now up for sale...

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/section-of-derelict-railway-up-for-sale-206044/

 

[editor]

I revisited the station last weekend and was impressed with the restoration work:

In photos: Return to Folkestone Harbour disused railway station – thirty images -

Eighteen years after I fist visited the now-disused Folkestone Harbour railway station, I returned last weekend to see how the place has been transformed into a bustling tourist attraction. Where steam engines once roared to meet ships taking passengers to Boulogne and Calais, a sort of mini...

www.urban75.org

 

[ska invita]

yeah it can gt really heaving down there on a summers day, nice to see it getting "used"

 

[tommers]

I revisited the station last weekend and was impressed with the restoration work:

In photos: Return to Folkestone Harbour disused railway station – thirty images -

Eighteen years after I fist visited the now-disused Folkestone Harbour railway station, I returned last weekend to see how the place has been transformed into a bustling tourist attraction. Where steam engines once roared to meet ships taking passengers to Boulogne and Calais, a sort of mini...

www.urban75.org

You should have said.

 

[Mumbles274]

I revisited the station last weekend and was impressed with the restoration work:

In photos: Return to Folkestone Harbour disused railway station – thirty images -

Eighteen years after I fist visited the now-disused Folkestone Harbour railway station, I returned last weekend to see how the place has been transformed into a bustling tourist attraction. Where steam engines once roared to meet ships taking passengers to Boulogne and Calais, a sort of mini...

www.urban75.org

Next time give me a shout, would have met ya for a beer and history chat!

 

[editor]

Next time give me a shout, would have met ya for a beer and history chat!

I was staying with a friend and had an absolutely brilliant time, so I expect I'll be down again in the not so distant future!

 

[Mumbles274]

I was staying with a friend and had an absolutely brilliant time, so I expect I'll be down again in the not so distant future!

Theres so many great places to eat and drink! And a pint on the beach at the Pilot Bar at sunset is amazing!