Last, (?), Steam Trains To Folkestone Harbour : 5 and 12 April 2008.

After many false alarms it's happened. The "last" steam train from Folkestone Harbour. Reminds me of our old dad in the 1950s and early 60s. Brother Don and I often dragged him, and mum, out to see the last steam train from somewhere. He never believed it would be the last one. But he still drove us out, and waited to see a Schools, Lord Nelson, King Arthur or whatever come through ages late and after the sunset, (or dark clouds), had spoilt the chance of a half decent photo. Well. That didn't quite happen for the last, (we think!), steam train on the Folkestone Harbour branch on April 12, 2008. Because despite bad weather "inland", it was sunny on the Kent coast. And despite being late early on, both the final runs up the branch were on time! next

12 April. Running 20 late after brake problems 34067 races past Sevington, (East of Ashford), with a Taunton to Folkestone Harbour train: the last steam train due to work down that small seaside branchline. next 12 April. next 12 April. next 12 April. For this last day two runs up the Harbour branch were planned. And now back on time 34067 heads the first of those up the very steep climb: the wind sometimes blowing the exhaust clear of the loco! next 12 April. Then came the last departure. Many whistles and a couple of detonators exploding added to the atmosphere being enjoyed by very many bystanders and photographers. next 12 April. next 12 April. Back inland at Chartham, and under grey skies again, Tangmere hurries past another part of local railway infrastructure that surely will also close before too long: the "leaning" crossing keepers building. next 12 April. A 30 minute late start from Canterbury West saw 34067 miss superb evening sunshine by seconds as she makes a storming start to the climb up from Minster to Ramsgate, near to Sevenscore. next 12 April. The loco crew had been troubled by bad coal, and on the 1/90 - 1/96 grade up towards Beltinge a severe lack of steam slowed Tangmere right down, but gave superb smoke effects in the cool, moist air. next

12 April. The ten coach train plus trailing diesel loco proved too much for a badly steaming Tangmere, and seconds after these photos a "blow up" stop was needed, before a restart with the diesel now helping. next 12 April. With some help from the trailing diesel 34067 set about regaining lost time with a fast exit from Faversham, near to Ospringe. next 12 April. A final view of the last steam hauled train to climb up the branch from Folkestone Harbour, as Tangmere hurries along near to Ospringe. next 5 April. A week earlier 34067 hauled the penultimate tour to Folkestone Harbour, seen here accelerating away from Paddock Wood 75 late after a long delay in London. next 5 April. next 5 April. 34067 passes Westenhanger and tops the summit of the long climb up from Ashford. next 5 April. 34067, "Tangmere", climbs away from Folkestone Harbour station as the tide ebbs. next The main train ran back directly from Folkestone to London, leaving just 34067 and support coach to follow the booked pathway, albeit 2 hours late here at Chartham. top  2008 Photos continued  Index