Ashford International Station, Works and Depots
This collection features the former Steam Centre and other works. A small number of pictures of Ashford Station are also included for completeness as the eastern terminus of the Marshlink Line.
Separate collections for the Marshlink Line cover (a) Ashford Station and Works; (b) Ham Street Station; (c) Appledore Station; (d) Rye Station; (e) Winchelsea Station; (f) Snailham Halt (Closed); (g) Doleham Station; (h) Three Oaks Station; (h) Ore Station; and (i) Hastings Station.
SCROLL DOWN to view the images. Click here to return to the main website index page.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. O1 0-6-0 65 (now owned by the Bluebell Railway Trust) stands in front of SR Double Deck unit 4002 (later 4902). Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. One of the two trailing coaches from a SR double-deck EMU. Two units were constructed (4001 and 4002) as an experiment and ran on the Charing Cross to Dartford line for an extended period from 1949 to 1971. Their downfall was the long loading and unloading times as passengers moved from and to the "upstairs" compartments. Note the central buffer that was fitted where the units were normally permanently coupled. Towards the end of their life the units were renumbered 4901 and 4902, but those who saw them in passenger service will almost certainly know them by their original numbers. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
For those who remember, it's a wet day at Charing Cross on 18.06.1969, and double decker 4001 (in green livery) is in service in Platform 2 wearing its usual 70 (Dartford) headcode. A young lady has wandered out from the protection of the canopy to admire the unit. (No, I don't have her phone number). Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. O1 0-6-0 65 (now owned by the Bluebell Railway Trust) is on display in light steam and hosting footplate visits. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. This is Norwegian State Railways (NSB) Type 21c locomotive No. 376 King Haakon VII. The engine subsequently went to Bressingham Steam Museum. The driver appears to be keeping a low profile. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. SNCF 4-6-0 230 D 116 is on display. The locomotive subsequently moved to the Nene Valley Railway, where (in a lined brown livery) it hauled their "Opening Day" train on 1 June 1977. The locomotive is now privately owned and has since returned to France. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 03.04.1972. An ex McAlpine Hudswell 0-6-0 shunter in a rather tired condition. This is believed to be Hudswell Clarke diesel mechanical shunter Enterprise. Its subsequent history is unknown but it was later photographed in C. F. Booth's scrapyard in Rotherham. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 13.08.1972. O1 0-6-0 65 on display. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford Steam Centre on 09.09.1973. On display are O1 0-6-0 65 (now owned by the Bluebell Railway Trust) and 35028 "Clan Line" (purchased from BR by the Merchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Society, and now restored to main line service). The locomotive is normally based at Stewarts Lane. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
E6018 and E5002 at Ashford on Sunday 09.09.1973. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
An Ashford Works Open Day on Wednesday 09.07.1975. Class 71 electric locomotive, 71005 (formerly E5020, later E5005). Although the locomotive normally operated from the third rail, note that it has a pantograph fitted for operation in marshalling yards such as Hither Green. It was deemed too dangerous to fit the third rail in yards where stock was being constantly coupled and uncoupled, and overhead wires were provided instead; a strange sight on the Southern Region. These locomotives were frequently seen using their pantographs in the former "Continental" yard on the Up side at Hither Green. Although some Class 71 locomotives were rebuilt to Class 74, 71005 was scrapped in November 1977. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
An Ashford Works Open Day on Wednesday 09.07.1975. In view are (left to right) 33210 (formerly D6595) , an unidentified shunter, a Class 73, Class 71 71005 and (on the extreme right) British Railways 350hp diesel-electric shunter 09018 (formerly D4106). This locomotive was subsequently privately purchased and is currently on hire to the Bluebell Railway using its original number of D4106. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
E6029 at Ashford on Thursday 19.06.1969. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Ashford on Saturday 19.07.1975. The 17:25 service to Hastings is formed by 2H 1120 (furthest from camera) and 3H (ex 2H) 1119 at the rear of the train (coaches S60118 S60665, S60818, in order from camera). Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
AshfordSat190719751725Hastings1120and1119reartrainS60118endS60665S60818
Turbostar 171725 enters Ashford International with a Marshlink service from Hastings on 01.07.2005. There are no bay platforms at Ashford for terminating trains, but the long platforms are sub-divided into sections A, B and C. The two car Turbostar occupies only section 1C of the platform whilst turning round.
Different day, same unit. Turbostar 171725 waits in Platform 1C at Ashford International ready to depart east for Hastings. The rear of a second train can just be seen. This is a London bound service waiting to depart west from Platform 1A/B. This arrangement achieves very efficient use of the platforms. 04.10.2005
Looking east from the end of Platforms 1 and 2 at Ashford International. The lines running straight away from the camera are en route to Folkestone, with the Marshlink line turning sharp right on the extreme right of the picture (see also next photo). The lines on the left of the station are shown in subsequent pictures. 01.07.2005
It is quite difficult to find a viewpoint showing the Marshlink line leaving Ashford International as the platforms are staggered and the Marshlink line turns sharp right at the eastern end of the station. This shot shows sidings to the right, with the Marshlink line to the left of the overhead gantries, slightly concealed by the stairs from the footbridge. In the foreground are the two Channel Tunnel platforms, to which access was not available at the time of my visit. 01.07.2005
Moving the camera to the left and looking east, this is the departing main line to Folkestone, with a depot in the background. Note the speed limit signs also show KMH to cater for Channel Tunnel trains which may use the platform. 01.07.2005
This final view east from the end of the Ashford International platforms shows the modern flyover which allows non-stopping Channel Tunnel trains to pass Ashford. Directly in front of the camera the line to Canterbury turns sharp left to run north under the flyover, with points also allowing a movement on to the main line. 01.07.2005
Turning round and looking west from the eastbound platforms the Channel Tunnel platforms can be seen on the left, although overhead power is also supplied to other platforms to cater for unusual movements. Looking through the canopy on the left the front of a terminating Marshlink Turbostar can just be made out, waiting to depart east (towards the camera) to Hastings. The unit is some distance away because the platforms are staggered. 01.07.2005
Near the end of their life on Southern metals, 4-VEP 3412 stands in Platform 1A at Ashford International, waiting to depart with an Ashford to London Charing Cross train. The unit is in Connex livery. 01.07.2005
In stark contrast, on Platform 6 at Ashford International a much more modern 375903 waits to depart coastbound. These units come without individual draughty doors for which the 4-VEP was known and (un)loved....! 01.07.2005
Looking west from Platforms 5 and 6 at Ashford International. These platforms are normally used for eastbound services, but all platforms are signalled to allow movements in either direction. On the left a westbound train leaves for London. 01.07.2005
Looking west towards London from Platforms 1 and 2 at Ashford International. Overhead power for Channel Tunnel trains can be seen on the right. A depot is out of sight around the bend. 01.07.2005
Turning round this view looks east from the western end of Ashford International Station. On the left are Platforms 3 and 4, used by Channel Tunnel trains (or, at least, those that stop). On the extreme left the concrete walls enclose the new line that allows Channel Tunnel trains to pass Ashford, a move not welcomed by the local community. 01.07.2005
