Rails around Kent
11th February 2007

With the number of lines within the southern region I have combined this collection to cover the whole county of Kent as a starter. Although Kent does not have the specatcular scenary of some other regions of the Uk there are some good locations to be had especially at the time of many of the photographs when interesting traction was still running. The main interest in the mid 90's was that of 33's and 73's that would produce on freights or engineering trains. Many visits were also made to the county on weekends to catch train movements in and out of possesions. This had mixed fortunes but had great rewards if succesful. With the number of 33's gradually reducing 37's took over but this was still worth while as many 37/0's were allocated to the southern region. Visits to Kent reduced after moving to the North-East of England in 1998 but a number were still made for specific reasons, in particular 37/0's and 31's that moved to the area. So enjoy a trip around the garden on England and the motive power that worked the County over the last ten years.

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73131 pushes the Orient Express up the hill and out of Folkstone Harbour. 47784 was on the front. 16.3.97
73131 pushes the Orient Express up the hill and out of Folkstone Harbour. 47784 was on the front. 16.3.97
 47784 passes Sevington near Ashford with the orient Express train for Folkstone. 16.3.97
47784 passes Sevington near Ashford with the orient Express train for Folkstone. 16.3.97
 Just inside the Kent border, 205012 leaves Ashurst with a Sunday working for Uckfield. 6.6.93
Just inside the Kent border, 205012 leaves Ashurst with a Sunday working for Uckfield. 6.6.93
 47121 heads along the coast with an engineers train. 2.5.92
47121 heads along the coast with an engineers train. 2.5.92
58049 gets away from Sheerness with another steel working. 21/5/01
58049 gets away from Sheerness with another steel working. 21/5/01
 37174 crosses the impressive bridge at Swale with another steel from Sheerness. 24/5/01
37174 crosses the impressive bridge at Swale with another steel from Sheerness. 24/5/01
 37114 Leaves Sheerness with loaded steel. 22/5/01
37114 Leaves Sheerness with loaded steel. 22/5/01
 47085 passes Tudeley with a car train for Dover. 27/4/96
47085 passes Tudeley with a car train for Dover. 27/4/96
With the mist now clearing the main event arrives in the form of 37185 and 37676 with empty wagons bound for the engineering site. The train would work a circular route back to Tonbridge Yard. 27/3/99
With the mist now clearing the main event arrives in the form of 37185 and 37676 with empty wagons bound for the engineering site. The train would work a circular route back to Tonbridge Yard. 27/3/99
 37013 and 37293 approach Paddock Wood with a mixed engineering train on a fabulous autumn morning. The train would run aroun in Tonbridge Yard and then head south to the site on the Tonbridge - Hastings line were a further shot was had. 5/10/96
37013 and 37293 approach Paddock Wood with a mixed engineering train on a fabulous autumn morning. The train would run aroun in Tonbridge Yard and then head south to the site on the Tonbridge - Hastings line were a further shot was had. 5/10/96
 33035 slowly propels its train backwards at Smarden on a glorious Spring day in Kent. 9/4/95
33035 slowly propels its train backwards at Smarden on a glorious Spring day in Kent. 9/4/95
Another view of 31420 on the Sheerness branch. This time leaving Queensborough. The short stop by the train at Queensborough gave oppertunity to get ahead for a second shot. 7/4/00
Another view of 31420 on the Sheerness branch. This time leaving Queensborough. The short stop by the train at Queensborough gave oppertunity to get ahead for a second shot. 7/4/00
37275 and 37207 head for Folkstone Harbour with a rail tour from North West Engand. 13/5/95
37275 and 37207 head for Folkstone Harbour with a rail tour from North West Engand. 13/5/95
 31275 and 31207 leave Folkstone Harbour with a rail tour. A lucky break in the cloud provided the essential sunlight for a dramatic effect beneath the threatning sky. 13/5/95
31275 and 31207 leave Folkstone Harbour with a rail tour. A lucky break in the cloud provided the essential sunlight for a dramatic effect beneath the threatning sky. 13/5/95
 47777 passes Lenham heading south for Folkstone with the Orient Express. 20/7/95
47777 passes Lenham heading south for Folkstone with the Orient Express. 20/7/95
 A very clean but drab looking 47321 runs along the coast between Folkstone and Dover with a Paddock Wood - Dover working. This was usually a good bet for a Crompton but not so lucky on this day. 2/8/93
A very clean but drab looking 47321 runs along the coast between Folkstone and Dover with a Paddock Wood - Dover working. This was usually a good bet for a Crompton but not so lucky on this day. 2/8/93
33008 returns with loaded ballast from Grain. 5/7/93
33008 returns with loaded ballast from Grain. 5/7/93
 33002 and 33065 take another spoil train west near Pluckley. This was the third engineering train that had shown within three hours, all pairs of Cromptons. Happy days !! 22/5/93
33002 and 33065 take another spoil train west near Pluckley. This was the third engineering train that had shown within three hours, all pairs of Cromptons. Happy days !! 22/5/93
A double header this time in the form of 207017 and 207013 near Ashford. 20/7/95
A double header this time in the form of 207017 and 207013 near Ashford. 20/7/95
 73106 and 73132 have just crossed into Kent and approach Edenbridge with a train for Tonbridge Yard. 22/4/93
73106 and 73132 have just crossed into Kent and approach Edenbridge with a train for Tonbridge Yard. 22/4/93
58028 heads for Grain with an MGR train. 22/5/95
58028 heads for Grain with an MGR train. 22/5/95
47125 heads west along the coast near Folkstone with an intermodal for Wembley. 8/7/93
47125 heads west along the coast near Folkstone with an intermodal for Wembley. 8/7/93
 33109 and 33202 wait for access to the site along side the A2070. 21/5/95
33109 and 33202 wait for access to the site along side the A2070. 21/5/95
 33052 passes Smarden, returning two cranes to the posession. 14/8/93
33052 passes Smarden, returning two cranes to the posession. 14/8/93
33030 returns from Grain with loaded ballast for Hoo Jn. 22/5/95
33030 returns from Grain with loaded ballast for Hoo Jn. 22/5/95
 The distinctive 33008 takes a Hoo Jn - Grain empties past Cliffe Woods. 5/7/93
The distinctive 33008 takes a Hoo Jn - Grain empties past Cliffe Woods. 5/7/93
 207102 arrives at Rye with a Hastings - Ashford working. 29/5/93
207102 arrives at Rye with a Hastings - Ashford working. 29/5/93
 207017 catches the evening sun with a Ashford - Hastings. 20/7/95
207017 catches the evening sun with a Ashford - Hastings. 20/7/95
205029 heads west with a Tonbridge - Redhill. The train is passing over the Uckfield branch. 1/9/93
205029 heads west with a Tonbridge - Redhill. The train is passing over the Uckfield branch. 1/9/93
 205018 approaches Edenbridge. 15/6/93
205018 approaches Edenbridge. 15/6/93
73101 passes Sellinge with the return working from Folkstone Harbour. 7/5/95
73101 passes Sellinge with the return working from Folkstone Harbour. 7/5/95
 33202 nears journies end with another Hoo Jn - Grain empties. Two trains a day was regular. 23/5/95
33202 nears journies end with another Hoo Jn - Grain empties. Two trains a day was regular. 23/5/95
33051 passes Cuxton with a spoil train, probably from Tonbridge for Hoo Jn. 23/5/95
33051 passes Cuxton with a spoil train, probably from Tonbridge for Hoo Jn. 23/5/95
 58020 is not far from Grain with empties from Hoo Jn. By this time 58's were not uncommon on the branch. 22/5/01
58020 is not far from Grain with empties from Hoo Jn. By this time 58's were not uncommon on the branch. 22/5/01
 37216 brings loaded ballast from Grain at Cliffe Woods. 22/5/01
37216 brings loaded ballast from Grain at Cliffe Woods. 22/5/01
 33051 and 33201 leave Ashford and takes loaded ballast south. 23/5/93
33051 and 33201 leave Ashford and takes loaded ballast south. 23/5/93
33026 and 33012 approach Ashford with a weekend spoil train. 22/5/93
33026 and 33012 approach Ashford with a weekend spoil train. 22/5/93
 Who would have beleived it !! 31's in Kent and 33's in Cumbria !! 31420 takes steel out of Sheerness to Hoo Jn. 7/4/00
Who would have beleived it !! 31's in Kent and 33's in Cumbria !! 31420 takes steel out of Sheerness to Hoo Jn. 7/4/00
 On a misty spring morning, 207201 leaves Ashford behind with a local to Hastings. I have never been a big fan of units but I was fond of the old
On a misty spring morning, 207201 leaves Ashford behind with a local to Hastings. I have never been a big fan of units but I was fond of the old "Thumpers". 27/3/99
 73136 heads north at Cuxton with one of the two regular engneers trains that ran on weekdays over this line. 23/5/95
73136 heads north at Cuxton with one of the two regular engneers trains that ran on weekdays over this line. 23/5/95
73131 passes Lenham Heath with the Orient Express having visited Folkstone. 73129 was on the rear. 20/5/01
73131 passes Lenham Heath with the Orient Express having visited Folkstone. 73129 was on the rear. 20/5/01
 73104 heads south near Ashford with the flask train for Dungeness. This was a weekly working and was always a 73 or 33. 20/7/95
73104 heads south near Ashford with the flask train for Dungeness. This was a weekly working and was always a 73 or 33. 20/7/95
 60019 passes through selling with a weekend spoil train. There was much disapointment to see a 60 on this train. 23/7/95
60019 passes through selling with a weekend spoil train. There was much disapointment to see a 60 on this train. 23/7/95
 37371 and 37706 head east near Smarden. This was another closure of the Ashford - Hastings route and I had completed the long haul from the North East to spend the weekend on the Southern. 27/3/99
37371 and 37706 head east near Smarden. This was another closure of the Ashford - Hastings route and I had completed the long haul from the North East to spend the weekend on the Southern. 27/3/99
33207 pulls the Orient Express into Folkstone Harbour. This was a regular on this train being out based at Dover Yard. 8/7/93
33207 pulls the Orient Express into Folkstone Harbour. This was a regular on this train being out based at Dover Yard. 8/7/93
33202 takes empties towards Grain with the second of the morning ballast trains from Hoo Jn. 23/5/95
33202 takes empties towards Grain with the second of the morning ballast trains from Hoo Jn. 23/5/95
 33064 heads north on the Medway Valley line near Cuxton and is about to go under the M2. The view has changed substancially since this photograph was taken. The train was the Peckham - Hoo Jn Yard and was one of two regular engineers trains on this line during the morning. 6/7/93
33064 heads north on the Medway Valley line near Cuxton and is about to go under the M2. The view has changed substancially since this photograph was taken. The train was the Peckham - Hoo Jn Yard and was one of two regular engineers trains on this line during the morning. 6/7/93
 33046 and 33021 sit at Appledore. It was unclear when these would move and they were still sat here after dark. The branch to Dungeness can be see on the right. 21/5/95
33046 and 33021 sit at Appledore. It was unclear when these would move and they were still sat here after dark. The branch to Dungeness can be see on the right. 21/5/95
© 1998-2009 Dean Cornthwaite - All copyrights rest with the Author
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