I've been thinking lately about preservation of 3rd rail electrical stock and where on earth in the UK they would be able run in the former running region. The Folkstone Harbour branch came straight to mind as it seems to fit every aspect that will be required for opperating this stock. The only downside I see being the increased maintenance required for the stock. So would anyone like to help try setting up a trust to try and save this branch for operation of this stock and powerful steamers.
Possible pros I have spotted are: mainline connection, possibility of use for freight especiallylivestock and chemicals and infrastructure fully in place.
If anyone has any ideas or comments about this idea can you plesase either post here or PM me about it.
(note: sorry about the bad grammar)
Folkstone harbour branch
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JSReeves86
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having been down folkestone harbour station last friday to see the grand turk i was sadened greatly by the state of the place in genraal. (i can post a few pics if wanted) anyway.
Pros first
The redevelopment of the harbour will not see the removal of the branch for atleast 2/3 years as thew VSOE is booked down there for that long still, no matter what Mr Dehans (spelling Please) people say.
as has already been said thereis a mainline connection and plenty of stableing space at the junction (Folkestone East station is still in place and could be used with a bit of investment.
Cons
Sadly the whole of Folkestone has gone downhill ever since the opening of the Chunnel, this has caused a large and blatent vandalism problem. with this in mind any stock stabled is likly to suffer greatly.
The former Up line has been removed through the station and mothballed further up the line.
The pier itself is in a very bad way and needs a huge amount of work before anything major happens down there.
That all said it would at first glance seem like a perfect place for 3rd Rail EMUs and DEMUs etc. it would be great to hear the sounds and smels of steam working the line again. also the station has so much history it would be criminal to just remove all terace including the viaduct (which demolition would be a feature of Dehanns plans) think of all those men who went to the wars from there and never came home.
One thing that could possibly see the survial of the line would be the re starting of a ferry service from the port and the remodelling of folkestone east junction to aviod a reversal. ie make the connection a facing one from the dover direction (trains traveling to the harbour would run non stop via dover. this would be far more conviniet that boarding a ferry at dover where there is need for a bus transfer.
However whilst we still have this current government in power i do not feel we will see any major schemes for the area or at least ones featuring the branch sadly.
JR
Pros first
The redevelopment of the harbour will not see the removal of the branch for atleast 2/3 years as thew VSOE is booked down there for that long still, no matter what Mr Dehans (spelling Please) people say.
as has already been said thereis a mainline connection and plenty of stableing space at the junction (Folkestone East station is still in place and could be used with a bit of investment.
Cons
Sadly the whole of Folkestone has gone downhill ever since the opening of the Chunnel, this has caused a large and blatent vandalism problem. with this in mind any stock stabled is likly to suffer greatly.
The former Up line has been removed through the station and mothballed further up the line.
The pier itself is in a very bad way and needs a huge amount of work before anything major happens down there.
That all said it would at first glance seem like a perfect place for 3rd Rail EMUs and DEMUs etc. it would be great to hear the sounds and smels of steam working the line again. also the station has so much history it would be criminal to just remove all terace including the viaduct (which demolition would be a feature of Dehanns plans) think of all those men who went to the wars from there and never came home.
One thing that could possibly see the survial of the line would be the re starting of a ferry service from the port and the remodelling of folkestone east junction to aviod a reversal. ie make the connection a facing one from the dover direction (trains traveling to the harbour would run non stop via dover. this would be far more conviniet that boarding a ferry at dover where there is need for a bus transfer.
However whilst we still have this current government in power i do not feel we will see any major schemes for the area or at least ones featuring the branch sadly.
JR
I wouldn't say that it is long enough to be particularly useful? It's only 1.1 miles, and couldn't get Community Rail status as it is not a current operation. As others have said it couldn't be run as a normal preserved railway. The Folkestone redevelopment plan wants to call it the 'Tram Road' 
They also want to replace the cablecar. Now, who wants to suggest to Folkestone's politicos that they need to take a trip to Stuttgart's Line 10?
They also want to replace the cablecar. Now, who wants to suggest to Folkestone's politicos that they need to take a trip to Stuttgart's Line 10?-
arabiandisco
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There's only a station at one end, which won't help much (Folkestone East [Closed]) is just to the west of the junction.
If you want a 3rd rail preserved railway, then I'm sure something could be done by talking nicely to SWT and the HSE re the lymington branch. Or failing that, when the Bluebell get round to reopening Horsted Keynes - Ardingly, it would be highly appropriate to electrify it. I believe the East Kent has ambitions to electrify.
There's no reason beyond cost that a preserved line couldn't convince the HSE that it could be done safely.
If you want a 3rd rail preserved railway, then I'm sure something could be done by talking nicely to SWT and the HSE re the lymington branch. Or failing that, when the Bluebell get round to reopening Horsted Keynes - Ardingly, it would be highly appropriate to electrify it. I believe the East Kent has ambitions to electrify.
There's no reason beyond cost that a preserved line couldn't convince the HSE that it could be done safely.
Having a brain bypass
Go 49ers
Go 49ers
Better to wait and see how the SEG's project goes before any ideas of opening yet another preserved railway! Besides I'm not sure a place which is going to be full of salty sea air is necessarily the best place for preserving old trains.
