 
Harbour Lights
 On
Saturday 12th April 2008, GB Railfreight sent three of their
Class 73 locomotives on a light engine run across Kent from Hoo Junction
to Folkestone Harbour. Their novel outing was to help raise money for the
Railway Benefit Fund charity through the production of this exclusive
cab-ride DVD of the trip to the little-used branch on the Kent coast. Our
cameras and microphones were invited to record the event - and now you can
re-live this fascinating journey around Kent from the comfort of your
favourite armchair.
The
journey begins on the Thames estuary at Hoo Junction as the ED’s set off
on the outward route via Higham, Rochester, Chatham and Sittingbourne to
Faversham. From there they continue past the surviving semaphore signals
at Canterbury East and Shepherds Well before passing non-stop through
Dover Priory station. After a scenic run along the coast under the famous
white cliffs of Dover, the Class 73s enter Folkestone East sidings where
they access the Folkestone Harbour branch. A large crowd greets the
arrival of the very first GBRf locomotives to reach the terminus. To mark
the occasion, the ED’s depart in suitable style, horns blaring as they
set off a series of detonators as they climb the steeply-graded branch on
their diesel engines. The Class 73s return back to Faversham via a
different route. From Dover, the locos are back on diesel power again from
Buckland Junction for the stiff climb up Guston Bank to Martin Mill. From
there the journey continues past the semaphore signals at Deal and
Betteshanger before passing through Ramsgate, Margate and Whitstable. At
Faversham the locos re-trace the outward leg of their journey for the run
back to Hoo Junction.
We have decided to bill this programme as a
‘WIRED FOR SOUND’ simply because the soundtrack clearly portrays the
unique electrical and mechanical audio characteristics of the Class 73.
There are also parts of the journey where the locos are running on their
diesel engines. The programme also features a selection of locomotive
classes and special trains that have visited the terminus at Folkestone
Harbour since the early 1990’s.
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Programme Fact File
Narration: David Maxey
First Published: 2008
Route Featured: Hoo Junction - Folkstone Harbour.
Class Featured: 73.
Availability: Now
Click here for
ordering details |
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Other Locomaster Profiles Programmes featuring Class 73 motive
power: Jet Set, Arcs & Sparks, Dover
and Out and Traction Series. |
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