"Passengers No More" - Folkestone Harbour Station 03/07/10 Report

[Tankman]

A nice easy explore to start off some serious UE around Kent saw myself and Kingrat, High-Balling it over the pass over the weekend!
First stop Folkestone Harbour

A bit of history:

A branch line was built in 1844 leaving the main line at Folkestone Junction and was double tracked ending with a viaduct across the harbour itself. In 1847 a swing bridge allowed the line to reach the southern pier and in 1848 the line was passed by the Board of Trade for passenger use.
The line was electrified at the same time as the main line during the "Kent Coast Electrification - Stage 2" in June 1961, and passenger trains were formed of EMU's.
In 1994, the opening of the Channel Tunnel led to the majority of ferry operators moving to other ports in the South East, with the result that only two services per day were arriving at Folkestone Harbour, to connect with the Hoverspeed SeaCat services. When these were moved to Ramsgate, Folkestone Harbour station closed to ordinary rail traffic in 2001.
The Orient Express used the station twice a week until 2009, but since 2001, the station has decayed alarmingly not helped by the salty sea air attacking the metalwork of ther station

On with the pics:



The station circa 1991, looking from the level crossing



The same location 2010



The glass roof has been removed for safety reasons.



End of the Line, 1991. Passenger ferry awaits for passengers alongside the harbour wall.



End of the Line, 2010 Platform 2 use to extend out onto the dockside, so that freight wagons could be loaded from the ships.



Original fixtures and fittings still abound, Electrification insulator, circa 1960



Rusty old signals still abound along the platforms, the sea air slowly eroding them away



Original Southern Railway, scales slowly rusts away on Platform 2



Out on the pier, a fading Folkestone sign

Most of the ferry terminal and docking facilities are still in place, rusting away and abandoned.
Thanks for looking

[Tankman]

Thanks everyone, glad you enjoyed it

A few more!



The local topography meant that the line to the harbour had to be built on a steep downward gradient, dropping 111 feet for a distance of 1,328 yards. The railway then arrived at right angles to the harbour, with the pier across the sheltered waters splitting the harbour into two, the inner and Outer harbours.



Found this pic of the swingbridge being fitted circa 1930
Initially there was no swing bridge provided on the pier, which prevented trains gaining access to steamer berths on the harbours south side this was eventually rectified, allowing passenger boat trains to operate for the first time



The same swingbridge 2010, albeit non operational. Not sure when it stopped opening but it could have been after the electrification of the line

Further pics of the station and area here:

http://s260.photobucket.com/albums/i...ION/?start=all