Exploring The Folkestone Harbour Branchline 

7:55 I can give my seal of approval to the signal box, which is now a lovely cafe which does awesome bagels! It's called Bobbies' Bakehouse :-)

Don't forget Folkestone West is still open! It was sad to see the Channel Tunnel forced the closure of this but the redevelopment is amazing.

The Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway would make a fab video 🙏

Visited Folkestone on Saturday and saw the re-development of Folkestone Harbour Station. The last time that I was on the station was to get a boat to France and back again. Amazing and exciting. Thank you for the video.

I really like the combination of rejuvenating the area _and_ keeping parts of the old infrastructure as a nod to its past. Looks like a place for a very nice day out, and always lovely to see Chris again (and "meet" Mark)!

I watch on my TV. I like your ideas about longer docu style videos. Wouldn’t watch vertical style. Thanks for what you do 👍

Back in the 1970s my grandparents lived in Folkestone and as a teenager I remember watching the trains travel down that steep hill, over the viaduct and into the Harbour station. This was prior to the Channel Tunnel being opened when the cheapest way to Europe was by ferry. I even travelled on the train myself in the early 80s. The last time I was there was a few years ago and I was so upset to see how the area had deteriorated and my childhood had been destroyed. It now looks amazing and I am so pleased that it’s being brought back to life.

'Folkstone Harbour is beautiful' he says, whilst trying to avoid camera shots of the the strong architecture of the Grand Burstin Hotel!

You forgot about Folkestone West Geoff! At the beginning you said only Folkestone central still exists but we have the quite unique offering of two stations so close together you can see one from the end of the other’s platform! 😁

Really enjoyable video, always good to see Chris, brimming with enthusiasm, especially on his home turf!. Magic stuff.

One of your best videos, Geoff. Perfect balance of enthusiasm, expertise and jolly good times.

Hopefully Network Rail's P.R. department recognizes that their other "special projects" around the system could also use a great explainer video like this one, shot and produced by our expert Geoff. Have them pick up your travel and lodging expenses, good sir, and that kind corporate gesture could be the start of another award-winning adventure for this brilliant YT channel.

Geoff! Well done. This video had all the good feels with those lovely gents who seemed genuinely happy and proud of this project, as they should be - it looks great. What a way to keep the old, and make something good with it. Now I have to look up boat trains and beach trains!

I've not trawled through all 400 comments posted todate to see if anyone has picked up that point about the gradient of 1:30. It was said years ago when the line was open that it was the steepest section of line on the BR network used by mainline trains; the Lickey Incline at 1:33 now holds that distinction - apparently - but these things are alway open to debate. Secondly, when a pair of Class 73s came up from Folkestone Harbour they had to be in parallel (or was it series, memory ain't what it used to be!) to avoid overloading the traction current supply. I well recall returning from France and joining 4CEP/4BEP/4CEP formation to travel to Victoria. Thanks as ever for posting this vid.

Wonderful, thanks so much! I'm local, live nearby, and went to school in Folkestone by train. I remember all this well, and have been fascinated ever since. I'm also a 78rpm record collector and believe it or not, I have an original 12 inch disc with some of the Folkestone Harbour station platform announcements. They must have pressed them up and then played them hundreds of times until they wore out - this one's in very reasonable condition though.

Folkestone is one of my favourite towns! Love the harbour area

Hi Geoff thank you for this video. I was on the harbour arm yesterday and it was quite beautiful. Strangely a few days before I was nosing around a charity shop in Deal when I found some original copies of the Folkestone Harbour bylaws dating from 1928-1931 printed by the Southern Railway....they contained gems such as do not smoke if you are handling explosives. Whilst I am speaking about Folkestone and if you want to impress your other half then try to visit The Leas which are about ten minutes walk from the main station. The views from this promenade are spectacular and have connections with H G Wells and Wilfred Owen to name but two literary figures. Folkestone and the immediate area towards Dungeness can be overlooked but it is incredibly interesting. SMO

We stayed in the hotel as a stop over before heading to Dover for the ferry. Finding the harbour setup like this was amazing. Especially at night when it was all lit up. Liked the quite eerie Gormley statue(s) that were on the lower level of the harbour.

Omg super exciting to hear they intend to open up more of the line and extend the cycle path! Amazing! Love the arm, thanks for popping down and making a video! History of Dover's line next??

I remember some 35+ years ago coming back from France getting of the boat and within two or three minutes was on the platform and getting on the train to London Victoria. I then went back some 10 or 12 years ago before they revamped the station and again I was back down a few years ago to see the what they have done to station which is very nice. Folkestone holds a lot of memories for me.

It reminds me of my first trip abroad in 1956. The last sight of England was the pair of R1 tanks that headed the train down the steep track to the harbour station. It also reminds me of my last trip on the line in 1990, in a 4-CEP with the motors humming loudly flat out up the hill.

First travelled this line in 1969 on an EMU that formed the boat train. The train reversed at the junction (the driver walked through the train to change ends), having come in via Ashford and then down the 1 in 30 incline. Travelled the route until the late-1970s. I have used all the Sealink ports, from the Channel Islands to Hook of Holland, at various times between 1966 and 1980

Nice to be name checked by Mr Ellerby at the end … I think..? But great to see the Harbour regenerated and looking fantastic in the sunshine

I used to go and stay with my Great Uncle and Aunt in Folkestone in the 1970s, and it always used to amaze me as a kid that there was nearly always a train up on the top whilst I was on the beach building sandcastles. I have very fond memories of Folkestone. I've also stayed in that big grey hotel in the background more recently, and it reminded me of the Palace Hotel in Carry On Abroad 🤣🤣👍🏽

Thanks for the post! While visiting from the US (Sept 2019), I was taken on a great day out by old friends who live in the area. Rye, Samphire Hoe (saw 2 Spitfire and Hurricane fly-overs and trains heading to/from - my geography might not be accurate - Abbot’s Cliff? tunnel), and then to Folkestone Harbor for another walk and an excellent meal! Would love to visit again when travel’s safer.

We had a lovely holiday just north of Folkestone at the end of May 2021. I walked from the steps/lift to the end of the pier (and back again!) in similar weather to that which you enjoyed! The pieces of art are fascinating, and there are more (including a Banksy) scattered around the town.

Would love a parry’s people move to run down the line with a spur from the disused platform at Folkestone central, it’s a hell of a walk down and climb via the old high street up!

Thank you for sharing!

I visited Folkestone Harbour station a few years ago, as they were using it as part of their triennial festival. They set up various plants and sculptures dotted about the platforms and over the lines.

It's been on my wish list for a while and finally got to visit the station yesterday. It was great to see the rejuvenation of the area after being derelict for so long. The effort put in to renovate the station even down to the lamps and signage is excellent. It's a shame that in this country so much of our transport and industrial heritage is lost to total redevelopment when what is already there can be reused for the benefit of the community.

Lovely video. Thank you

It makes me think that Geoff has uploaded an extra lost railways video but doesn't involve London

Fascinating! I remember travelling up the branch on an EMU boat train, coming off the night ferry from Oostende, which came into Folkestone, unlike all the other ones which went to Dover Marine. The train went up the steep branch to the main line and then stopped, presumably for the driver to walk to the other end of the train, as we then continued in the opposite direction heading for London Victoria. Didn't really realise at the time that I had been privileged to travel on this, the steepest gradient in BR at the time...

Another great, interesting video! Thank you Geoff.

Lovely video, great too see the enthusiasm of everyone.

So close to the RH&DRy! Thank you for sharing.

Fantastic video Geoff, perfect use for old infrastructure.

Geoff I can remember taking the old thumper down to the Harbour when there was a shuttle service operating between Folkestone Central & the Harbour via a turn back at Folkestone East. I do like what they have done to the old station & if it wasn’t for the Channel Tunnel I believe that there would still be a service going there today & as a train driver based at Ashford I would probably have been driving it. A great video of a lovely little branch line.

Really enjoy when you and Chris collaborate!

Great day's work Geoff!

Yes please, a video about the Decopod and why it didn't work! Great video.

I have so many memories near the beach in Folkstone!

I just love this channel so much

I've lived close to the line for almost 40 years and the armchair trainspotter in me enjoyed watching the train rumble past the back of my house (and it wasn't just EMUs, I used to see various classes of locomotives along with of course the VSOE). Hope that the disused part does see to some use even just as a pleasure park.

In 1986 I caught the ferry to Boulogne and then the through Napoli Express (ok 3 couchettes) to Roma, Amazing shunt around Paris too. Its a fab thing to visit now especially if eating outside is your thing.

I remember as a child going over the harbour on day trips with my nan....loved it...was highlight of the trip!

Good to see and hear of the plans for future use.

Brilliant. I visited just over a year ago. I've only taking the train to Folkestone harbour once I was 11 a very, very long time ago. Glad to hear about the plans to extend the cycle pass it will definitely encourage me to visit again.

Love your videos Geoff Keep up the amazing great content!

Thanks Geoff, it's great to hear about closed lines being rejuvenated and given a new lease of life and to see them being appreciated by the local community. Great video as ever, look forward to the next one.

I had no idea that I would become interested in rail network - Its Geoff's videos and enthusiasm that done it - Thanks Geoff !!

that was fab. Nice to see such an iconic railway line having a new community usage and to still see some of the railway infrastructure..a brilliant project.

Another GREAT video Geoff. I grew up in North Kent and remember Folkestone Central having the four lines (& platforms) with the boat trains running through. Also the boat trains including the Orient Express on the Harbour Branch. Great memories! 👍

Awesome video

Fantastic! I remember doing this branch in 2001 on a Christmas 🎄 dining tour.

I remember going down that branchline on a holiday to Switzerland in 1971. I didn't know at the time it was a historic train ride! Interesting that they have kept the old station. Thanks for uploading.

I caught the ferry to cal not bolugne after using the boat train in 82/83, and 91, great video Geoff, love um

What a lovely project!

Great video, Geoff! It's looking good now. So tatty 11 years ago when I took some photos. Time for another visit!

That's so cool and interesting. Thank you

Brilliant video Geoff!

I was brought up in the South East in the 1950’s, it was a real treat to see the green station signs again. I will visit as soon as possible for a first hand view. Thanks for everything.

My grandad used to work on the railways in and around Ashford and Folkestone. It’s great to see one of the places that he used to work.

Interesting video once again

Fascinating!

Need another video about Folkestone Warren and the railway line running through it 👍🏻

I meant to add that as ever an excellent video and delighted to see what has been done and look forward to seeing the rest of the branch added to the ‘linear park’

Geoff : Away back in April 1969 as a 14yr old school boy I travelled from Glasgow Central to Folkstone Harbour via Kensington Olympia then onto the boat to Boulogne and finally the train to Paris . This was an trip organised by the Glasgow Education Dept and involved 5 schools in Glasgow . We left around 10pm and woke up at Kensington Olympia where breakfast supplies were taken on . Not long after some breakfast rolls were being fired out the window like a scene from a St Trinians school movie ! After crossing the channel we boarded the train bound for Paris and loved the fact the train seemed to go along a road at the start with no barriers . Of course the best bit was using the toilet on the french train where if you looked you could see the track lol (schoolboy humour)

Nice to see this l was lucky enough to be there when the last orient Pullman coaches were hauled out , l think steam and a Diesel engine, squeaks and squeals on rusty rails and a station that looked like the Luftwaffe had just visited, yes a much improvement for the public with one moan, don’t forget the disabled and pushchair users, ramps a better than steps. A nice video

Nostalgia.. I remember walking through the station when I lived in folkestone. The view from the viaduct bring towered by the grand burstin hotel.

Been there in holiday, lovely little station and beach

Excellent video of a great rejuvenation scheme. I’m amazed that the Railway limped on until 2009 - by that stage the channel tunnel has been open years!

Interesting railway history!

Great insight from Chris & Mark. Have worked personally with Mark at NR so great to have him on one of your videos!

brilliant ive been there while i was holidaying in Kent in 2018 its lovely down there

Really interesting stuff! Looks like they've done a great job!

knew you would make a video on this! love to see it

Amazing video love abandoned railways

How inspiring! Now I really fancy a sunny day out at the seaside with some interesting railway history thrown in. The bit of the path near the harbour looked absolutely lovely, I presume the design will continue much the same up the whole route... much better use than derelict land! And I guess it'll be a simple walking path for visitors from the station right to the seaside? Very appealing!

Really enjoyed this Geoff; lovely video ☺️

Most soldiers heading to the front in WW1 went through folkestone harbour. A staggering number didn't return.

I stayed at the Grand Burstin hotel right by the disused station Folkestone Harbour two months ago and it was a real blast getting to see it with my own eyes! It’s also very exciting that they plan to turn it into housing developments for the foreseeable future

it’s so wild to think ive regularly walked through this area before… so uncanny to see it on video! great video as always geoff.

Wo else thinks Geoff makes our day :)

Nice to see, also sad! Seeing the station empty of trains, reminds me of the Madness song, waiting for a Ghost Train!

WOW I’ve been a fan of you for so long! It’s incredible how near you’ve been near my house!

Darn it , you beat me to it!! However you had actual access, something I can only dream of. Great video as always. 🤗

I can remember going along there to catch the boat to bologne for a school trip

Class video!

It's great to see it being used for something, rather than being demolished for flats. I only ever caught a train from there twice, as I recall, after leaving the ferry from Boulogne. Must have been '82 > '85 time...

Thanks for this one, I remember getting the overnight to France from Victoria must have been about 1975!

A very interesting video. When I was in Folkestone a few years ago I investigated the Folkerstone Harbour track on which I travelled four times In 1962, I travelled to Switzerland and we took the boat train from London Victoria and at Folkestone Harbour Station we transferred to the ferry to Boulogne. On arrival we caught a train directly to Basel in Switzerland. Two years later I again caught the boat train at Victoria to Folkestone Harbour where again we transferred to the ferry for Boulogne and in Boulogne we caught the train to Basel and thence to Italy. Several years later I was again using this route but this time catching a train in Boulogne which ran to the French Rivera and terminated just across the frontier in Italy. I repeated this trip the following year. This was an easy to reach France and in Boulogne catch a direct train to places throughout Europe.

HI GEOFF, good videos as always

They've done a really nice job with that. I last went down the Folkestone Harbour branch in 1993 with top'n'tail class 47's. Bliss :-)

That was a really nice video Geoff. Hopefully the cycle and footpath will get installed quickly. Looks like the harbour could become a significant outside-of-London seaside attraction for daytrips, straight off the train.

The Earl of Radnor is a title currently held by the family who were formerly the Viscounts Folkstone. The title was originally related to the Isle of Wight I think.

Great video. I remember taking advantage of the Persil washing powder rail travel offer in 1984 and travelling from Victoria to Paris via Folkestone Harbour on a boat train (the branch was electrified). One unstated additional factor that spelt the end of the Folkestone branch (and Dover Marine/Western Docks Station) must have been the Channel Tunnel

My grandparents live in Folkestone and we nearly always go to the harbour arm. I actually remember what the tracks below the platforms looked like before how they were now.

I went on a school skiing trip to Switzerland over Easter 1970 and we went from Folkestone Harbour to Boulogne and on to Basel, Lucern and Engleberg. So I have been on that branch line. We returned vis Calais and Dover.

Geoff.... Didn't noticed a allotment in this video! just kidding a lovely video on the former Folkestone Harbour Branch Line. I just love Chris's apology for being in too many of your videos as well. Brilliant! But love to see how the former line ends up being develops when the project is finished.