It is reasonably well sign posted to Platform 12 walking under the roads (but it is quite a walk) where I catch 395 009 “Rebecca Adlington”; the service running to Margate. This is my first Javelin trip, although the route is identical to a previous Eurostar trip to Paris (and thence to Nice). London Tunnel 1 is 7.5km (and interestingly is largely directly below the North London line recently visited, the routes splitting soon after Homerton) so a lengthy run before emerging on the approach to Stratford International where another passenger’s bicycle in the doorway prevents an individual joining the coach, leading to an athletic sprint to the next coach. We return into tunnel, this time the snappily named London Tunnel 2, for 10km before we emerge into daylight., shortly before passing under the A13 in the delightful Essex countryside and Dagenham Dock station is to the left. We head across Rainham Marshes partly running alongside domestic services before again descending into another tunnel under the Thames for 2.5km. On the other side of the river we emerge back into daylight and reach Ebbsfleet International. HS1 to Ashford International then passes over the Medway viaduct (1.2km) and under the North Downs (3.2km) and through the Ashford Tunnel at 1.5km before arriving at Ashford International.
Time to change the mode of transport and it is eventually a Stagecoach bus running late and costing £6 return to Tenterden and a gentle walk down to the station in the sun. This week there is a special offer – a “Pensioner’s Treat” of £10 for a Rover ticket; so this cuts the cost slightly!
Tenterden signal box on the day of this visit is in the charge of a female signaller who is also responsible for the manual opening and closing of the gates over the line to the car park (or the line to Rolvenden depending on how you look at it). This requires a walk to and from the box by her in uniform but without (I am pleased to record) a hi-viz jacket. And indeed unlike some railways there are no hi-viz jackets worn by other operational staff. A nice touch.
Ex-BR Pannier tank 1638 is in charge. An interesting loco as it is built in 1951 to a design which dated back about 80 years at that point. The engine has often operated in an unauthentic GWR green livery (although given the history of the design one can understand why). At present however it is in plain BR black which may not be as attractive but certainly feels good.
It is a busy day on the railway – we are told by the trolley staff that there are 40 diners being served in the restaurant and wandering along the five coaches just before departure there are not many empty seats.
51571 & 50971 form the heritage DMU service which we pass at Wittersham Road, which only has a platform on the north side of the line, so the DMU heading eastwards does not stop. This is operating the two non steam return trips of the day and both are clearly identified as such not only on the timetable but also on the train departure boards at each station. Nice touch.
This being a Col Stephens Railway time keeping does not seem important as we drift through the afternoon and along the line to Bodiam arriving close to the time shown as departure. As ever Bodiam Castle has a wonderful presence to the north of the line. Many travellers disembark but there are significant numbers waiting to join having visited the castle and if anything the return trip is heavier.
At Rolvenden there is the opportunity as we pass to inspect the new carriage shed to the north of the line. On the visit last August this was simply cleared land. Now new pointwork and track runs alongside the running line and then there are points acting in kickback fashion into the newly erected carriage shed with access from the western end. There are as yet no tracks inside the building but the sleepers and rails are waiting outside the shed to be positioned and another railway will soon have proper protection for its passenger rolling stock.
Time for the reverse journey from Tenterden! The bus proves slightly difficult to catch – and turns into a mainly school bus service as we race around the Kent countryside visiting some small villages before reaching Ashford almost back on time. Javelin 395016 ex Ashford Int., runs to time but there appear to be no rubbish bins on Southeastern (either trains or station; I suppose we are still afraid of bombs), so I am well into the Underground before one is found – inevitably full! – before I can dispose of a coffee cup. For the return Underground journey I go via the Victoria line then changing at Oxford Circus to the Bakerloo. This turns out to be a same level walk though, no stairs or walkways, much the fastest link between two lines!
I manage to catch 17:53 ex Waterloo to Basingstoke – a 12 coach 450 formed working. Had I managed to catch the traditional service departure from Ashford International at 16:33 I would have been at Waterloo East (theoretically) at 17:50. So catching the 17:53 would probably not have been possible (nor the purchase of a magazine at W H Smiths) – but the High Speed line is not the only way to go. Reach Farnborough on time at 18:39. A good day out.