seg logo left
seg totem
seg logo right
  
graphic spacer click here for news click here for features click here for information about SEG publications click here for information about sales items click here for information about preserved EMUs, etc click here for information about our preserved 4 Cor unit click here for information about the Southern Electric Museum graphic spacer
graphic spacer click here for information about SEG members' activities click here for information about Railtours click here for advice about modelling the Southern Electric scene click here for information about our members' magazine SEG contact information useful links and webrings graphic spacer

 

Folkestone Harbour Branch finally closes
First GBRf 73209+205+204 descending the branch for the last time
Saturday 12th April 2008 saw a much anticipated, much delayed and, at least to enthusiasts, a much regretted event, namely closure, after 159 years three months and 12 days, of the Folkestone Harbour branch. The branch, one mile 25 chains long from Folkestone Junction, was opened on 1st January 1849 but was re-sited a year later. It was notorious for its 1 in 30 gradient and once carried with it the romance of international travel, there being cross-platform transfer to and from ferries across the English Channel. It was for many years the coastal destination for the "Golden Arrow" Pullman train. With the opening of the nearby Channel Tunnel services were run down and the last regular service, from London Victoria, ceased in May 2001. It has latterly, in its woebegone state of on track in use and conductor rail de-energised, been intermittently used as a destination for excursion trains. It is believed the site will now be re-developed as a marina.
Headboard and wreath on 73204
73204+73205+73209 in the remaining operational platform The crew poses before the final trip up the branch. The conductor rail is not energised!
Symbolic coffin on the other platform opposite the head of the train led by 73204

The final passenger working was a special from Taunton, worked between Willesden Junction and the harbour by steam locomotive Bulleid Light Pacific 34067 Tangmere carrying Golden Arrow regalia. Following this the final non-decommissioning working fell to First GBRf electro diesels (harbour end) 73209, 73205 and 73204 (town end) which came down the branch, went part way up and then down again and posed for photographs in the station before the final ascent around 15:00 up the incline to Folkestone Junction.


all photographs on this section by Ashley Saunders

 

EWS 67004 hauling the VSOE into Folkestone Harbour station on 24th April Whilst Network Rail had submitted a network change application some months ago stating that maintenance on the branch would cease, three days after the above "last" train had run Network Rail Kent received objections for EWS, Southeastern and the DfT. Accordingly VSOE trains are still diagrammed to run down the branch every Thursday until late August, as was photographed by Colin Price on 24th April. It had been expected that VSOE trains would in future concentrate on using their existing facilities at Folkestone West and the train would be turned round at Folkestone East.

RETURN TO NEWS ARCHIVE
RETURN TO NEWS INDEX

 

 
 
  

This feature is brought to you by the Southern Electric Group as a service to its members and enthusiasts.  The Southern Electric Group is the only group covering all aspects of the Southern Electric System past , present and future.   If you are not a member you are very welcome to join the group.  For more details please follow the links bottom left.

 
Find out more about the SEG or about membership
and to print out a membership application form.
click here to return to our home page
This page updated 4th May 2008 by Colin Duff.
All text, graphics and photographs are ©Copyright