Our presentation this evening, is by John Jolly, the owner and founder, of the Mangapps Farm Railway and Museum, in East Anglia.
After a public consultation, Southern Railway have announced, that no changes will be made to the running schedule, of trains on the Ashford to Brighton Line. (A proposal by SR, was to cut the service back to Eastbourne) Some confusion has arisen, as to what Javelin services can be used with a standard South Eastern Ticket. Any Javelin service from Ashford to Dover, Ashford to Ramsgate, and Faversham to Gravesend. A supplement is only payable from Ashford and Gravesend, when on the High Speed Line.
Saturday 24th April, 2010. “The Severn Explorer” Hastings Diesels DEMU To Bridgnorth and the Severn Valley Railway. Hastings 0730, Tunbridge Wells 0834, Bromley South 0917, Clapham Junct. 0944, Reading 1046, Didcot 1102, Bridgnorth 1532.
Thursday 29th April, 2010. “The Cathedrals Express”. 30777 or 70013, Victoria to Canterbury (Route not yet finalised)
Thursday 15th and Thursday 22nd, April, VSOE to Folkestone West. T/T by 2 x 67s. Victoria 1055, Swanley 1126, Otford Junct. 1138, Maidstone East 1155, Ashford 1217, Folkestone West 1228. Train departs Folkestone West, on return to Victoria at 1515 or later.
(Folkestone Area part 2)
Asda Car Park (CT201AU) drive into the centre of Folkestone, and into the Asda car park, top deck. Unrestricted view of Foord Road Viaduct. A step ladder is required. You will need to contact security on site, for permission.
Channel Tunnel Complex. (CT187AA) Take M20 to Folkestone, then onto A20 through Round Hill Tunnel. Take first left to rd abt, and then A260 for Folkestone. Follow this road for 300yds. ( beware of fast on coming traffic) and turn right at brow of hill, into Crete Road West. Follow this narrow road for about one mile, keeping left, until a green gas building can be scene. Park vehicle, and walk along the North Downs Way Path. This will take you about 10 minutes, and locate you on top of the UK Tunnel Portal. You will need a Telephoto lens, and a tripod. All movements through the tunnel, can be observed. Eurostars, Eurotunnel Shuttles and Class 92s on Continental Freight. Traffic into and out of the tunnel, are travelling approx. 40-50mph.
If you travel further along Crete Road West, you will find further locations for observations of the Channel Tunnel Terminal. This road will eventually bring you out at Peene, by the Eurotunnel entrance.
Folkestone Warren Take M20 junct 13 onto A259 Churchill Av. At rd abt exit onto A260. At next rd abt, take 2nd exit into Hill Av. At next mini rd abt straight across into Wear Bay Road .As the sea comes into view, take a left near a Martello Tower onto a rough track by a small hut and barrier to “The Warren.” Continue along this track, until a track leads off to the right, and sea shore. Park vehicle by Camp site, for security. Walk along track adjacent to Dover Folkestone line. Good shots can be achieved in either direction from a footbridge, and Martello Tunnel Portal for up services.
Engineering Works Sat. 10th April. Hastings to Ashford. Redhill to Tonbridge Sun. 18th April. Redhill to Tonbridge. Oxted to Uckfield. Tonbridge to Hastings Deptford to Slade Green. Ashford International.
(On Sunday 18th April Major track renewals on the north side of Ashford station. will prevent any access to the Eurostar platforms. No Eurostar trains will stop. Javelin services will commence and finish at Ashford. Javelin trains will leave, and head towards Folkestone, and then reverse onto the CTRL, over the Viaduct to St. Pancras. On the return Journey to Ashford, the opposite will apply. Because of these works, affecting services to Canterbury, Javelin services from St. Pancras to Faversham, will be extended to Margate.)
Sat. 24th April. Dover to Ramsgate. Redhill to Edenbridge. Sun 25th April. Faversham to Ramsgate. Redhill to Tonbridge. Lewes to Eastbourne. Sun 26th April. Lewes and Eastbourne. Sat 1st May. Redhill to Edenbridge and Sunday 2nd May. Sun 2nd May. Ashford to Dover Priory. Lewisham to Sidcup St. Johns to Grove Park.
Our next meeting, is on Monday 10th May 2010. “The Gezira Light Railway” of Sudan, by Alan Wild.
last updated: 14/04/10
