Such a sad thing. They should revamp the station and railway so that people can use it,or perhaps run tram/trains on it as a light rail and link with other railways. We need to invest and keep our railways open not closing them down like Dr.Beaching did.
It was a little sad looking at all that remains. I was upset when this was closed permanently. I really believe they should completely reconstruct the line and return the Folkestone Harbour Station. It could turn into quite a handy branch line, taking passengers to and from the main Folkestone Stations and elsewhere. Unfortunately for this line, the tracks are being lifted and the branch will be no more but history. Its a shame all these old lines are going but it was still nice to visit what remains.
Nice find! When was the line shut down? I noticed that the first crossing had a broken skirt and a few other damaged ones as well before the signals were removed. Interesting that the crossing got upgraded to being MCB-CCTV before it was shut down. Seems like a waste of money to me. Is the last crossing still there? There are a few different abandoned lines in my area as well. Most of them are abandoned spurs to various industries that shut down or at least stopped shipping by rail (a few of these were old cotton mills) in just about every city. but there's a few other ones such as the Huntsville Beltline (which was basically an L&N branch line off of what's now the HMCR that connected to a Southern Railroad branch line), a Southern railroad branch line between Sheffield, AL and Florence, AL (most of the bridge over the Tennessee River is still there, it also connected to an L&N line that has since fallen under the ownership of the Tennessee Southern Railroad) and later had the southern portion of it in Sheffield and Muscle Shoals turned into a now abandoned branch line (which is all still there save for the signals at 2nd Avenue in Sheffield), but the most notable one is probably the L&N's Huntsville Branch, which had the southern 14 miles of it turned into the HMCR and another 5 mile stretch of it turned into the Mercury & Chase (with the rest being torn up). I've also traveled to Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia and documented some of the abandoned crossings there (such as an old CSX branch line in Gallatin, TN; a CSX branch line in Smyrna, GA (former L&N Main line); part of the Atlanta Beltline in Atlanta, GA; and the unused parts of the Apalachicola & Northern in Port St. Joe, FL).
Thanks. I find abandoned stuff whilst I'm out and about. This was probably the most distinctive since I remember seeing the crossing in 2007 (when I was like 6 years old lol). The line was closed to passenger services in 2001, then closed to all trains in 2009. Special steam trains still ran on this line until the last one in 2014. The line has been like this since then. So basically its been unused for 2 years, and some equipment has been left to rot. The barriers on the Folkestone Harbour Station crossing, seen in image, were from 1980. Over time they have hit the road so many times when being lowered they've become quite misplaced and broken. CCTV controlled crossings have been around since 1971 ish, so the crossing on Warren Road might have been installed with CCTV already. Both crossings have been completely removed. All is left are a few signs and the crossing plant where the rail lines cross the road. I can see US having a considerably larger amount of abandoned lines, railroad crossings and industries. Some of the old halogen bulb railroad crossing lights and booms look quite amazing. Althought its not abandoned, the xing lights at Lily Flagg Road RRX in Huntsville look very old and tired. There's enough abandoned ones in the UK. Its just a matter of search and find. Probably an advantage if you play the game in an abandoned yard somewhere in the US :P
UK Level Crossings The crossing on Lily Flagg Road was actually put in in 1969 with just crossbucks and the signals were installed in 1971, even though the lights date back to the 1960s at the latest (I'm betting they were re-used from some other crossing or New Old Stock the L&N put up there). Lack of maintenance (from both the L&N, as it was a branch line under them, and the HMCR, as they are a shortline with not much money to throw around) has caused the backgrounds on the lights to fade and the lenses to get dirty. However, the signal on the west side of the crossing will be having the base and lights on it replaced soon as it got damaged when the construction crew paving a new curb accidentally hit the signal.
Hmm. Well, they have filled in the line at Folkestone Harbour station and across the Harbour bridge. I don't know if they'll run tram trains on the line :/
The line was technically still 'open' in 2009 but when the branch line was officially closed 2013-2014, the level crossing was destroyed. The branch line is now being transformed into a walkway.
I live in Kent too and use to come to Folkestone when I was younger when the Warren Road Level Crossing still existed. I never saw a train run on this line though. I wonder if it will ever become a railway again.
Yeah there was. It was removed when they redeveloped the Folkestone Harbour Arm. The station and signal box was preserved and rebuilt and you can see where the crossing was.
Unfortunately not. All the equipment was removed a few years ago. The line is now going to be turned into a foot and cycle path where the old railway tracks are.
Before Christmas I was recording with my iPhone 6 at 1080p60fps. Every video since Christmas has been recorded on my Samsung Galaxy S7 camera at 1080p60fps and 4K. Every video is meant to be this quality. Sometimes it is not in 60 frames per second when videos are not recorded on my phone.
I believe that there are some plans to reopen Part of the line. Not all of it though. I remember reading it somewhere on the internet. It's just a rumor so it might not be true
Southern Trainspotting Well, I've read that Network Rail aren't going to restore the whole line as it's not worth the money. Which part of the line would they re-open? The Harbour station and swing bridge has had its rails removed and the area looks quite derelict now.
Hmm. That could explain why they're restoring the signal box at Folkestone Harbour Station and why they haven't taken out the rails. The crossing plant for both crossings hasn't been touched at all. If it is going to be a heritage railway: a) It will be quite short and b) the company or group of people setting it up will need a shedload of cash to restore all the tired, worn and overgrown line from the South Easten Main Line all the way to the Harbour Station.
UK Level Crossings It's a company who originally helped maintain a bit of the Severn Valley Railway. I can totally see this being a heritage railway to be honest
Fair enough. It may take a few years though. Line needs to be restored, level crossing equipment needs to be payed for and installed, Harbour Station needs re-building and all that. It's possible if numerous volunteers help out. Sorta like the K&ESR extension to Robertsbridge. Wikipedia basically useless. "Permanently closed" is all it says really.
Just Class 67 Well, I plan to visit another local abandoned level crossing soon. Oswestry is a bit too far from where I am. Are you taking of the crossing on the A5?
yes, its a half one, www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.8793502,-3.0395236,3a,60y,328.81h,90.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s__6klNbZ8rkAmuFSKeuVsA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Unfortunately there's not much left of the crossings on the branch line. All the old equipment and original track has been taken up so there's nothing to film really. All the level crossing equipment at both Warren Road and Folkestone Harbour crossings got removed before I started properly filming in 2016.
Such a sad thing. They should revamp the station and railway so that people can use it,or perhaps run tram/trains on it as a light rail and link with other railways. We need to invest and keep our railways open not closing them down like Dr.Beaching did.
It was a little sad looking at all that remains. I was upset when this was closed permanently. I really believe they should completely reconstruct the line and return the Folkestone Harbour Station. It could turn into quite a handy branch line, taking passengers to and from the main Folkestone Stations and elsewhere. Unfortunately for this line, the tracks are being lifted and the branch will be no more but history. Its a shame all these old lines are going but it was still nice to visit what remains.
Add this to your abandoned level crossing playlist
Nice find! When was the line shut down? I noticed that the first crossing had a broken skirt and a few other damaged ones as well before the signals were removed. Interesting that the crossing got upgraded to being MCB-CCTV before it was shut down. Seems like a waste of money to me. Is the last crossing still there?
There are a few different abandoned lines in my area as well. Most of them are abandoned spurs to various industries that shut down or at least stopped shipping by rail (a few of these were old cotton mills) in just about every city. but there's a few other ones such as the Huntsville Beltline (which was basically an L&N branch line off of what's now the HMCR that connected to a Southern Railroad branch line), a Southern railroad branch line between Sheffield, AL and Florence, AL (most of the bridge over the Tennessee River is still there, it also connected to an L&N line that has since fallen under the ownership of the Tennessee Southern Railroad) and later had the southern portion of it in Sheffield and Muscle Shoals turned into a now abandoned branch line (which is all still there save for the signals at 2nd Avenue in Sheffield), but the most notable one is probably the L&N's Huntsville Branch, which had the southern 14 miles of it turned into the HMCR and another 5 mile stretch of it turned into the Mercury & Chase (with the rest being torn up). I've also traveled to Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia and documented some of the abandoned crossings there (such as an old CSX branch line in Gallatin, TN; a CSX branch line in Smyrna, GA (former L&N Main line); part of the Atlanta Beltline in Atlanta, GA; and the unused parts of the Apalachicola & Northern in Port St. Joe, FL).
Thanks. I find abandoned stuff whilst I'm out and about. This was probably the most distinctive since I remember seeing the crossing in 2007 (when I was like 6 years old lol).
The line was closed to passenger services in 2001, then closed to all trains in 2009. Special steam trains still ran on this line until the last one in 2014. The line has been like this since then. So basically its been unused for 2 years, and some equipment has been left to rot.
The barriers on the Folkestone Harbour Station crossing, seen in image, were from 1980. Over time they have hit the road so many times when being lowered they've become quite misplaced and broken. CCTV controlled crossings have been around since 1971 ish, so the crossing on Warren Road might have been installed with CCTV already.
Both crossings have been completely removed. All is left are a few signs and the crossing plant where the rail lines cross the road.
I can see US having a considerably larger amount of abandoned lines, railroad crossings and industries. Some of the old halogen bulb railroad crossing lights and booms look quite amazing. Althought its not abandoned, the xing lights at Lily Flagg Road RRX in Huntsville look very old and tired.
There's enough abandoned ones in the UK. Its just a matter of search and find. Probably an advantage if you play the game in an abandoned yard somewhere in the US :P
UK Level Crossings The crossing on Lily Flagg Road was actually put in in 1969 with just crossbucks and the signals were installed in 1971, even though the lights date back to the 1960s at the latest (I'm betting they were re-used from some other crossing or New Old Stock the L&N put up there). Lack of maintenance (from both the L&N, as it was a branch line under them, and the HMCR, as they are a shortline with not much money to throw around) has caused the backgrounds on the lights to fade and the lenses to get dirty. However, the signal on the west side of the crossing will be having the base and lights on it replaced soon as it got damaged when the construction crew paving a new curb accidentally hit the signal.
I really hope they reopen this line someday. There’s some talk about running what they call tram trains along it.
Hmm. Well, they have filled in the line at Folkestone Harbour station and across the Harbour bridge. I don't know if they'll run tram trains on the line :/
Why don’t you do a video of it in different dates of the level crossings on Folkestone Harbour, and all of the abandoned crossings filmed
In loving memory of Folkestone Harbour Branch Line Level Crossing
2009-2014
rip
Once it's gone, it's gone!
BTW, when did they abandon it?
The line was technically still 'open' in 2009 but when the branch line was officially closed 2013-2014, the level crossing was destroyed. The branch line is now being transformed into a walkway.
At warrington there r some tracks at Dakota and Sankey valley
I live in Folkestone and this is very sad. 🙁
I live in Kent too and use to come to Folkestone when I was younger when the Warren Road Level Crossing still existed. I never saw a train run on this line though. I wonder if it will ever become a railway again.
Nice, it's like before and after..
Jerry Johnson Yeah. It shows the crossing at different years which I think looks quite good.
Great video
Thanks 👍
great video Jamie it turned out great :-p
Thanks Tom :P. Finally got them edited and published. It was more interesting to take videos of an abandoned railway in the dark.
Are they removing the tracks or are they gonna keep them there?
I found Folkestone Harbour station LC on google maps. There was a level crossing right next to the station.
Yeah there was. It was removed when they redeveloped the Folkestone Harbour Arm. The station and signal box was preserved and rebuilt and you can see where the crossing was.
Sunday 29th November?
Don't you mean Tuesday 29th November or Sunday 27th November?
Yeah. I've sorted it now. I hate my calendar :)
That level crossing still in use?
Unfortunately not. All the equipment was removed a few years ago. The line is now going to be turned into a foot and cycle path where the old railway tracks are.
What do you record with??
Before Christmas I was recording with my iPhone 6 at 1080p60fps. Every video since Christmas has been recorded on my Samsung Galaxy S7 camera at 1080p60fps and 4K. Every video is meant to be this quality. Sometimes it is not in 60 frames per second when videos are not recorded on my phone.
Why was the line closed? does anyone have video of the last service on this line?
MrBnsftrain yeah chtrailfan has a video of the last train on the line
Nice one!
I believe that there are some plans to reopen Part of the line. Not all of it though. I remember reading it somewhere on the internet. It's just a rumor so it might not be true
Southern Trainspotting Well, I've read that Network Rail aren't going to restore the whole line as it's not worth the money. Which part of the line would they re-open? The Harbour station and swing bridge has had its rails removed and the area looks quite derelict now.
UK Level Crossings According To Wikipedia, there are proposals to turn it into a heritage railway.
Hmm. That could explain why they're restoring the signal box at Folkestone Harbour Station and why they haven't taken out the rails. The crossing plant for both crossings hasn't been touched at all. If it is going to be a heritage railway: a) It will be quite short and b) the company or group of people setting it up will need a shedload of cash to restore all the tired, worn and overgrown line from the South Easten Main Line all the way to the Harbour Station.
UK Level Crossings It's a company who originally helped maintain a bit of the Severn Valley Railway. I can totally see this being a heritage railway to be honest
Fair enough. It may take a few years though. Line needs to be restored, level crossing equipment needs to be payed for and installed, Harbour Station needs re-building and all that. It's possible if numerous volunteers help out. Sorta like the K&ESR extension to Robertsbridge. Wikipedia basically useless. "Permanently closed" is all it says really.
Is this in liverpool?
No, its in Folkestone, Kent (south east of England)
You Have to go Near oswestry to see a abandoned AHB
Just Class 67 Well, I plan to visit another local abandoned level crossing soon. Oswestry is a bit too far from where I am. Are you taking of the crossing on the A5?
yes, its a half one, www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.8793502,-3.0395236,3a,60y,328.81h,90.41t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s__6klNbZ8rkAmuFSKeuVsA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
And another one www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.8394064,-3.0429511,3a,75y,213.69h,88.16t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sGAPUTYNU5zRNPwquKaWouQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Nice Jamie
Thanks
I see my house!
MYYY GODDD ITS SOOOOO ABANDONED FOLKESTONE HARBOUR BRANCH LINEYYYYY HOIIIIIoiiiii BWARRRRR
Ah Nu
Why don’t you film all the level crossings on Foxton Harbour, and all the abandoned ones are in different dates
Unfortunately there's not much left of the crossings on the branch line. All the old equipment and original track has been taken up so there's nothing to film really. All the level crossing equipment at both Warren Road and Folkestone Harbour crossings got removed before I started properly filming in 2016.
Nice from mjbarrick!
Matthew Barrick Thank you :)