Dover Western Docks Last Train c1994

From memory, last booked boat train, last booked service train departure on the 24th September 1994 (specials ran the following day). Last service train was filmed by the station manager using the video camera whilst I was behind the cine camera. Video was recorded on a Sony v600, hi8 camcorder.

[@BenDover-cl1jf]

As a railwayman for 35 years thats gave me goosebumps and even a tear, be glad to retire in 10 years. 😢

[@thebrummierailenthusiasts5329]

At least the station building is still standing soon after the line closed

[@michaelstevens3479]

Anyone who has been to Dover will remember the feeling of relief when leaving.

[@williamradford8817]

Old class 1604 slam door train leaves Dover harbour, horns echoing, nice DC pick up spark/flash from the live rail

[@williamradford8817]

My childhood trips to France in the 1970s/early 1980s via Dover western docks, Sealink ferry to Calais. FTS holidays trains, changing locos at Amiens

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

In the late 70s and 80s I was in my twenties. For me it was hiking in the Austrian Alps. I went Dover to Ostend, usually.

[@NigelOrmsvik]

As a Signalman for 24 years, I worked the signal box for 19. Never thought they'd demolish it but I suppose a car park was more important.

[@Sorarse]

All the years I lived in Dover, and not once did I visit that station. And now it's gone.

[@MinegateTransport]

It isn’t gone, the building is still there with everything but the track itself

[@jeremyhaines4481]

Very interesting 👌👍 Also Very sad 😥this is all gone now

[@brammyd1]

A fitting Toot as they left...

[@georgeholland2934]

The Eurostar effectively sealed the demise of Dover Western Docks station. In anticipation of this Sealink finished their twice daily summer ferry service from Dover Western Docks to Calais in September 1993. The Ostend Jetfoil and conventional ferries last sailed from the Western Docks the same year. There are no rail connected cross-Channel ferry services left in existence. Sad times.

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

Well, unless you count Harwich!

[@noahbrock349]

​@@InkyminkyzizwozHarwich is not on the Channel.

[@gemmastone285]

Did someone put track detonators on the tracks? I'm sure there are five short bangs as the second train left

[@gloriouskodachrome]

yes, station manager from memory detonated the last boat train, in hindsight should of panned the camera to captured them.

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@@gloriouskodachrome *should have

[@toddhunter3137]

Nice train horn going on... Them trains served Kent well. They were work horses. I miss them. Even the short lived "jaffa cake" livery on the 4 cep units..

[@dgattenb]

Love those "real trains" ... So sad about Dover...

[@SimonRML2456]

Should still be operating as a railway station , they are missing a trick with the regeneration of the western docks... very sad

[@doomotron6160]

Now it's a cruise terminal so it's sadly unlikely.

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@@doomotron6160 So it could cater for cruise passengers!

[@doomotron6160]

@@Inkyminkyzizwoz I meant the the station itself is literally a cruise terminal (although I think now it's a nightclub or something). The railway infrastructure has all gone.

[@Inkyminkyzizwoz]

@@doomotron6160 And I mean that if it still had a rail connection then that could be used by cruise passengers!

[@richardclarke376]

what I recall of these trains..... the unbelievable relief if they actually turned up! And the continual amazement that they did not fall to pieces while you were in them

[@samstainer7455]

Absolute rubbish.

[@chrisst8922]

Death traps.

[@Spookieham]

Absolutely shit to travel on. I spent 6 months on slam doors commuting from Folkestone to London. If you were sat near a door in winter the draughts were terrible and the windows covered in condensation. 1950s conditions in 2002.

[@bobbrooks266]

Bloody fantastic

[@toddhunter3137]

I love watching this video.. Sad to see it 💭.

[@toddhunter3137]

A 12 car train. Nice video! 😉

[@deaconjohn6838]

If dover western docks was still open as a station today what would it be like

[@InvictaView]

It would be the same. Irony is, nearly 30 years to the day this was filmed, they could've kept all this open. With such a surge in demand for cross-channel routes, this one could easily have handled a few extra ships per day. Freight only, Ro/Ro, Passenger and Boat trains, the demand is unprecedented today. 👍💯✔🇬🇧🤔

[@toddhunter3137]

I like the middle 4 cars.. The refurbished stock. Am a train enthusiast. Why did they get rid of this first?

[@InvictaView]

The CTRL killed it off. ✔🇬🇧👍

[@sarahsrandomvideos6965]

Love these trains. I just subbed you 🚈

[@Trek001]

There were other trains after this - they simply were not advertised

[@williamradford8817]

End of an era, last train to leave Dover western docks/harbour station. Railway staff, police officer meet for a photograph

[@bingbong7316]

Needed a MLV or two to complete the picture.

[@kenhollman5620]

End of a great eara

[@renewraight4696]

So sad

[@RailandSky]

Query from someone who never used this station... Outside of the train ferry route, what was the need for local Dover-London trains to call at this station? It's almost in the middle of nowhere compared to Priory.

[@robertbutlin3708]

Rail and Sky in most cases trains from Canterbury East would run through Dover Priory and terminate at Western Docks. Trains from Ashford would not call at Western Docks and run direct from Folkestone to Priory. The boat trains would come via Folkestone, from Victoria, and run straight into Western Docks.

[@RailandSky]

Robert Butlin - so essentially this station was for a terminus to not clog up Priory?

[@robertbutlin3708]

Rail and Sky: well for the local services from the Faversham line through Dover Priory yes. The main use was always the boat trains

[@captainboing]

... and that's that.

[@chrisst8922]

I grew up with these trains. They were horrid. I remember hearing about people who were actually train enthusiasts and I thought they were mad. I learnt to drive and thanked heaven I'd never need to go by train again. Then I moved away and heard about something called a Western and Deltics and I understood. Fortunately all of those southern region things got scrapped.

[@michaelperkins5746]

wow quality plush rolling stock not

[@renewraight4696]

I hate modern times

[@vincefont4765]

I miss those incredibly noisy old NSE trains