FOLKESTONE- MEMORIES OF STEAM

[@colinroymitchell]

Thank you! Just enjoyed nearly seven minutes of pure wonderful nostalgia! I was born in Folkestone in 1948 (the Royal Vic) and spent my early railway enthusiast years 'spotting' at Shorncliffe, Folkestone Central, Junction and Harbour, as well as Dover and Ashford. before I took advantage of 7/6d child day return tickets to 'do' the London termini and sheds. Since then travelled the world enjoying steam, but those 'R1's' made the initial impression.. to this day I remember the sound, sight and smell of up to four of them heaving the 'Golden Arrow' Pullmans up the 1 in 30 to the Junction. Good that the Harbour has been developed fairly sympathetically but I will never forget those days!

[@hollpoll]

Thanks for the kind comments Colin, summer holidays were spent there with Mum and Dad and my brother from 1957-1961 (approx) and Folkestone Junction and the harbour branch were my favourite haunts (my father was a rail enthusiast as well), like you the sights and sounds of the R1's on boat trains going up and down is a memory that will last forever, take care Stewart.

[@jammyhart]

What memories..I was born in Folkestone in 54 and just remember the times I would go to the Junction station with my parents to catch the train to Dover or Deal and sometimes to train spot. So many trains past though the Junction, the service trains, boat trains, and the many freight trains being taken to the Dover train ferry. And not to forget there was a workshop there also. Many thanks for the memories. Rob

[@arthurmee]

Thank you for posting. As as 3 year old in 1959, I would have travelled on the boat train to Folkestone on a return trip to Italy with my parents. I have no memories but enjoy wondering if I was on one of the trains you filmed. Later in 1966 and 1968 I took the same journey and have distant memories of arriving at Folkestone to embark and disembark the ferry . . . Cote d'Azur was the name of the ferry. Much appreciate your posting of your film.

[@hollpoll]

Thanks for the kind comments you missed Folkestone in its heyday, I remember the Cote d'Azur well it was one of the more modern ships plying the channel at that time besides the ancient "Canterbury" and the "Isle of Thanet" all the best Stewart

[@arthurmee]

@Hollpolls Sunshine Coast Model Railway my pleasure. I'd been searching for a while and your video provided the best information at set in the right period. Thanks for your memories of the Cote d'Azur and the other ferries too.

[@dannyfeatherbe2817]

Born just over from the Junction station in 1944. As we grew up this station played a big part in our lives as kids. We stood on the footbridge when the train headed towards us an dared anyone to move, very frightening at that age.

[@robmcg567]

Astonishing and beautifully put together. Great stuff for we kids who got an Hornby R1 for Christmas in 1962! Lovely stills, sound, and rare, rare footage. Thankyou. Rob

[@barrythedieselelectricstea5217]

excellent footage 👍I have been to folkestone harbour it is much different now it is certainly not the same anymore from the footbridge that goes across the track to where there was once a level crossing us now overgrown with weeds and has been used for fly tipping pity it closed 😟

[@hollpoll]

I would only want to revisit Folkestone as it was from 1955-1961and the great holidays I had there with my parents, thanks for wathcing and commenting , its appreciated, Hollpoll

[@rustydobro]

Lovely stuff, very nicely presented. Just under those arches at the harbour there is now the wonderful Rocksalt restaurant - to eat there on the terrace while watching the tank engines tackling the incline would be one definition of heaven!

[@Ellsam23]

I've just come across your excellent video. During the period 1956 - 1962 I lived in London Street which is off The Tram Road just before the bridge (Radnor Bridge Road) over the line. In 1956 I was 8 years old. My friends and I would try to race the train up Tram Road; or we would stand on the bridge and disappear into the smoke. Our t-shirts always got covered in soot specks. I'm researching the history of my Folkestone childhood and came across this in my search for historical media.

[@hollpoll]

Thankyou so much for reviewing my video and your interesting notes. Folkestone in the fifties was a magical place for me always plenty to do from railways to the rotunda - weather permitting !! I can still smell the smoke now ! Good luck with your research of your Folkestone childhood and keep in touch. I now live on the Eastern seaboard of Australia (since 1981) best wishes Stewart

[@hollpoll]

Thanks for the kind comments glad you enjoyed it, Stewart

[@stuartthegrant]

I just love this video...

[@JimTLonW6]

Very nostalgic, we always used to holiday at Folkestone too, maybe I met you on the beach! I was always fascinated by the Harbour and the railway with the banker engines. I liked the ship movements too and the operations of the cranes loading the ships (this was all pre roll on - roll off of course).

[@hollpoll]

Would love to visit the restuarant it looks really good one day thanks for watching and the kind comments Stewart

[@GSP21]

We used to go there as children-very happy times!!!

[@jaannetts16]

5 star i love the old days of steam good job

[@hollpoll]

Wish I could get over there to be on this trip, thanks for watching and I hope the remembrance line is saved for posterity Stewart

[@stuartthegrant]

I so enjoy your Folkestone films hollpoll, A bit special.

[@hollpoll]

@stuartthegrant Thanks for the kind comments Folkestone will always have a special place in my heart Stewart

[@waldenhouse]

Outstanding footage! Love it.

[@hollpoll]

@JimTLonW6 We are both the same age so who knows ! I recently bought a DVD called Snapshots in time 1958-9 which has some lovely footage of the "Canterbury" a good two or three minutes well worth getting its published by Visions International I am hoping that when time travel becomes possible we can go through that door marked "Folkestone 1958' ! thanks for watching Stewart

[@abgbddsg]

@rglinNewMex Mostly the European steam-engines didn't go on long distances in these days. So they could be filled up with supplies more often. Only big steam-engines who had to travel on longer distances carried sufficient supplies, but they also had to be refilled or been replaced by fresh engines and crew.

[@adriankd]

@touchwood1952 I am that Brother!!!!!