No International Trains at Ashford International?!

[@knownothing5518]

I have had the absolute worst of days. This video (and a chocolate croissant) have made sure I at least had a good end to this day. Thank you, Jen! You are having a decisively positive impact on my life!

[@JenOnTheMove]

Thankyou!

[@stuartj5520]

I went on a school French Exchange at Easter in 1986 and went on a Victoria-Folkestone Harbour service to get the Sealink ferry to Boulogne. We then got another train at Boulogne Maritime station. Lovely! I also remember laughing with my classmates at Folkestone Harbour station when we spotted a yellow British rail luggage trolley on the platform which had a sign stating “not to be removed from Aberdeen“ 🤣

[@Sim0nTrains]

Sounds like the Tyne and Wear Metro at Ashford International with those rules about filming but enjoyed the mini series of the South Eastern Main Line and there was a lot of low points but that message at the end was spot on!

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

100% Simon, great message at the end

[@RainhamRailEnthusiast]

Welcome to the southeastern network, where filming is very difficult indeed, sorry about your experience Jen, but I get it quite a lot, which is why most of my videos are out of my home county, which is a bit sad ( but great as i have seen other regions which are a little more welcoming, on the whole). There is a major campaign to get the international services back.

[@ianr]

Great video Jen! Hope you had a lovely holiday. 👍🙂

[@JenOnTheMove]

I had a nice relaxing time 🙂

[@mattpilgrim2607]

Lovely video Jen absolutely love the southeastern main line. Hope you enjoyed filming this.

[@ReecesTrains]

Great video Jen! I'm sorry you had a bit of an incident at Ashford International. Why can't people just mind their own business when there's a camera about these days?! It's ludicrous! Also about the Eurostar services, I'm not sure if they're gonna be bringing back international services in the near future. But certainly is a pain if you have to travel all the way up to London and then back down just to get into Europe.

[@JackJackProductions]

Well, cars are the better option for heading into Europe from Kent. You've got Folkestone for the Channel Tunnel and Dover for a massive port

[@customtransport2777]

It’s very frustrating that Eurostar services are still not stopping in Kent, as Ashford International would be the perfect station for me to catch it from, since Victoria is closer to me than King’s Cross making it easier for me to interchange trains on the way 😕

[@xr6lad]

Yes because stopping an entire high speed train for the 35 people wanting to get off there makes great economic sense. Next time I’m on a flight from the USA I’ll enquiry why they don’t land at Bristol to drop some people off then continue on to Heathrow.

[@Thornaby37]

If only Southeastern put as much effort into recruiting ticket office staff to replace those who have retired as they did into recruiting security bullies like the one at Ashford Regarding short journeys on high speed trains, it is possible to travel between the two Worcester stations (Shrub Hill and Foregate Street) on a GWR IET, which is similar distance as the two Folkestone stations (just over 1 km)

[@jaybee1921]

Hi Jen, that was a really lovely watch, nice to see Folkstone again, I have actually walked up and down that Harbour Branch line shortly after they finished doing it up and like you I was impressed. I overnighted at the Hotel Burstin which overlooks the harbour which was fairly good. Great to see you getting back to a happier Jen. I quite enjoyed riding those Javelins when I was down that way. Take care, Jon B. x

[@stephenreardon2698]

Jen. I know you often say you want to revisit certain nicer stations, but do you also have a list of those stations that were horrible on the day, but you feel you want to come back to. It could be because the weather was bad, you want to see it again when the construction is finished, whether its any better when the knobheads aren't being a hassle, or even when a different TOC takes over.

[@EandEFC]

At Sandling on the Old railway line you walked down the Platform just a bit further on is a fantastic flooded tunnel Hayne Tunnel

[@ceanothus_bluemoon]

I do like the planting on the viaduct and former station site at Folkestone, and I don't mind a moody sea at all. Enjoyable as always!

[@IowaTrainGay]

Omg! I love Folkestone harbor station. I will literally just explore it on Google maps when I'm bored. Also, you're one town away from Hythe and the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch railway! Omg I'll probably cry if you do a video a out "every station on the RH&DRy"! Here's me just hoping it happens!

[@jasonsmart3482]

In the spring those wild flowers on the viaduct over the harbour look amazing, not so great at the end of summer though. Love the harbour arm well worth a visit on a warm day.

[@michaelmiller641]

Great video Jen. I'm sure the conditions of travel state that photography is allowed on stations, but not tripods or flash

[@jacobporrett]

Thank you for sharing Jen.

[@nblanch2]

Hope you're feeling better Jen.🙂

[@pninpnin1]

No international trains from Stratford International, either. Thanks for another great video.

[@ianmcclavin]

Yes the abandoned island platform at Folkstone Central usex to be the London bound platforms. The unplatformed centre roads at Folkestone West had platforms here.

[@tomburnham5119]

If you'd had a bit longer at Headcorn you could have crossed the footbridge over the loop behind the up platform and found another abandoned platform lurking in the undergrowth. The Kent & East Sussex Railway line to Tenterden, closed in 1954 and lifted soon afterwards.

[@kr46428]

This series just has encountered so many challenges in filming it, but somehow you managed to keep on going. You're doing a great job Jen! I must admit I really have a liking for the Class 395 Javelins. They were the first proper trains I ever rode on in the UK as a visitor (not including any TfL stuff). Luckily I didn't require a staffed ticket office at any point in my journey, or I may not have gone away quite so keen...

[@trevorelliston1]

I recall actually going on a train to Folkestone harbour, to catch a ferry to France, in the summer of 1970, I think. We then got a train in Boulogne and travelled overnight to Switzerland. Our carriage was dropped off and shunted around on its own at Basel and Berne, to connected with other services. That was fun.

[@donaldmcindoe-se5kh]

Enjoyed this video once again , ime seeing places i will never go to myself, but wished i had when i was younger . best wishes

[@shamilton2556]

I used to use Ashford International from 1995 to 1997 to get to Brussels and then Arnhem - free parking, pleasant terminal, hope for the future in the New Europe. Sigh.

[@robbiemorrison7085]

No international trains at Stratford International

[@ianmcclavin]

There have never been any Eurostars calling at Stratford International, even before Brexit. The only time use was made of the outer platforms was during the 2012 Olympics.

[@dianesullivan3034]

Ooooo, thank you for the end bit. I’d wondered where your lovely blue hair had gone!! Wibbly wobbly timer wimey , stuff. Lol😂

[@scottishtrainspotter7209]

Must give a Folkstone a visit to see the old train station as it does look really nice.

[@JenOnTheMove]

Highly recommended!

[@alanbrown3015]

The sign at Sandling station would be amusing if it wasn't serious. However it is serious and I wonder how much effort South Eastern has devoted to recruiting ticket office staff there and more generally. Why not invite SE management to comment on why they're so poor? Great video again Jen. You're my favourite because you tell it like it is, some others don't.

[@JenOnTheMove]

I suspect that little to no effort was made to find replacements, if I'm honest!

[@jappedut9009]

Yaaiihh blue hair Jen is back 💙 😊

[@MontytheHorse]

I do like the Ashford “International”. 😂 Did you enjoy your short Javelin trip? The signal box at Folkestone Harbour has a nice cafe in it.

[@DanielMultipleUnit]

Good video as always :)

[@QALibrary]

Hi Jen - great to see you back

[@EandEFC]

At Folkestone Harbor remember many journeys down the old line, then a few years ago walked it before they pulled the track up and all the signals were still live despite it being shut for many years!. There was even talk of it opening as a preservation line but at least the station is preserved now.

[@ADAMEDWARDS17]

Occurs to me, as someone who cycles, I can recommend the cycle ride along the coast from Folkestone to Hythe along the coast (so flat). if you cycle to Dover, there's quite a hill but you get to see a concrete ear (pre radar listening for aircraft), see France and then cycle through a bit of channel tunnel tunnel to reach Samphire Hoe where you can see the service entrance to the tunnel. But there is a hill.

[@airfoxtrot2006]

Excellent video Jen, not far from West Sussex my local area 😊

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video Jen, those made up rules about filming at Ashford international sound ridiculous in my opinion. I certainly think the international part of the name is pointless if there's no international trains stopping there as well. I like what they've done to the old Folkstone Harbour station. :)

[@lewismassie]

I've done the Canterbury West to Ashford International route a lot, Sometimes the Javelins will do the Wye-Chilham-Chartham-Cant West-Sturry stops which are fairly close together. I don't think they're faster than the 3 minutes probably because they're not at full speed

[@fussyboy2000]

Headcorn has a nice village. Out the station turn left at the end of the approach road.

[@gbphil]

It’s crazy that the Ashford to Frethun service was lost some years ago. It was the perfect solution for me to grab a cheap ferry to France from Dover whilst my passenger, who was afraid of water, crossed via the train under the channel and still be £100 cheaper than the Le Shuttle car train. 😎😇

[@AndrewSmith-ii6zp]

I’m pretty sure you can still make out the disused Kent & East Sussex platform face on the up platform at Headcorn!

[@RJE48]

I believe there used to be trains that terminated at Folkestone Harbour to change with an international ferry service... I love what they have done with the station though

[@mrgrahamreed]

Others have had similar issues regarding Ashford International and even taking picutures of it from the street (citing non-existent laws!). On the plus side, everytime Jen says "wet! wet" in this I want to overdub it with MOIST.

[@kazzle101]

I fully sympathise with you about security making a fuss when using a 'proper' camera. Once, quite a few years ago, I got thrown out of Barnsley Shopping Centre because of this, I said "but don't you want the place to look ...sort of, nice..." but this fell on deaf ears.

[@Vanmanyo]

Why do Southeastern seem incapable of running a ticket office!? Great video as always Jen! Hoepfully Eurostar reopen Ashford (and Ebbsfleet) soon!!!

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

brilliant vlog

[@neilmcdonald9164]

No international trains at Stratford International either 🎩

[@grassytramtracks]

Interesting that even though there used to be international trains, there aren't any signs in French as far as I can see

[@JenOnTheMove]

There are some French signs on the disused platforms

[@srfurley]

Tilbury Riverside Station used to have some signs in Russian.

[@JenOnTheMove]

I may or may not have already filmed at that location for an upcoming video 😉

[@FeoragForsyth]

Love your co-star at the end.

[@katesonanadventure]

The departure area at St Pancras is woefully undersized. It only takes one delayed service for the entire place to become suffocatingly busy. Opening Ashford or Ebbsfleet and especially Stratford would help enormously with this issue. Sorry you had some drama!

[@jmaybankjackson]

It's a shame that filming is so controversial to some. Network Rail owned stations are like that sadly. But Ashford International is a strange one as the International Side of the station is managed by HS1 not Southeastern, hence the difference in opinion on cameras

[@londonandy9913]

Enjoy your Holiday! Not expecting any filming but a Postcard Would be nice. 😉 Mind you if you buy a stamp you won't be able to afford the holiday.

[@JenOnTheMove]

It was a very nice holiday thankyou! Just what I needed!

[@annabelholland]

I think the Kent economy (and the nearby Designer Outlet) is still below pre-pandemic levels. Maybe Calais-Fréthun should also reopen, and definitely the Disneyland services (seems odd that was discontinued in June 2023 and not immediately after the pandemic). Looks like Eurostar is losing money/passengers after closing its Ashford/Ebbsfleet/Calais/Disneyland services.

[@harryelliott4310]

Trains Station 🚉

[@salsapixie]

Can we change the name of Eccles station to Eccles International? Inaccurate too, I know, but it would make you feel so much better about being in Eccles.

[@katrinabryce]

The nicest thing I've seen done with an old railway station is reopening it ...

[@MrGreatplum]

Sorry you had to bump into a jobsworth 😩 I can’t imagine that Ashford international will reopen until or if we rejoin the custom union! Absolutely love Folkestone harbour station - one to add to the list!

[@Rail_Focus]

All caught up 😅

[@thomasfy4]

Eurostar have said they are reintroducing services from 2025

[@erinmcgrathejm4985]

Seaside tracks are the best tracks.

[@catwalkin-im7yp]

Hostile toxic Ashford International with redundant border guards. Met a similar character at Southend Central once so I took a picture of him. Years later I did some work for C2C which included photographing stations.

[@Andrewjg_89]

I don’t see the point in Ashford International station that doesn’t see any Eurostar trains stopping there. Apart from Southeastern Highspeed trains that stop at Ashford International.

[@aston-s]

Eurostar shuttered Ashford and Ebbfleet in 2020 because of the pandemic, in 2021 they announced they would resume services from those 2 in 2025...

[@lauriecroad3186]

Quite, quite sad really. So much dereliction, none concealed. Sorrowful.

[@martxw]

What's the least used International station? Ashford, Stratford, Ebbsfleet, St Pancras?

[@cybermaxpower]

That's easy Stratford. As its never had an International station service in the 1st place

[@Anonymoususer_8823]

Why not rename Ashford International to Ashford Interchange instead. As Eurostar no longer stops there and Southeastern Highspeed trains do stop. I have been to Ashford once and it’s a very nice town in Kent.

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

ASH opens 29th Sept.

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Not so fast it's the 28th my bad

[@fionaaviani-bartram]

i'd argue manchester piccadilly - oxford road on a 397/802 is the shortest journey you could do on a high speed train!

[@CliveBilby]

Southeasten are doing their best at short notice, the retirement was sprung on them, only 40 years notice. 🤣 You should have taken the train from Ebbsfleet International instead of Ashford, Ebbsfleet goes all the way from Kent to...London!

[@ADAMEDWARDS17]

Always mad going to Folkestone Harbour to see a platform I actually used to go to Italy. Epic start to an interrail trip going Stockport-London-Folkestone-Boulogne and then through couchette from Boulogne to Rome with the coaches shunted from Gard du Nord to Gare de Lyon via the now closed Petite Ceinture line, hauled by a little diesel engine. We finally got to Rome about 14:00 on day 2. The toilets had run out of water.....

[@jonnysimmons6014]

Maidstone East line next?😃

[@KevinPople]

Goodevening Jen where you from im interested in buses and trains

[@monkeymanbob]

You're not wrong about SE and ticker offices. It's taken 6..7? years to get FKC actually staffed on a daily basis - though Sundays are hit and miss. Their recruit is awful. The decline of AFK is a real shame. The Euroatar has much potential for something, but they appear unwilling to do anything. It could be used for large groups & charters. You'd have a massive detour if you wanted to walk to FKC via the sea - but if you did do the walk, theres a Morrisons and apart with a zip line

[@-MapEnthusiastjj4eu]

4:08 the station that lies

[@missm10]

Sadly international services will not return to Ashford International until Brexit is reversed. It's too costly and impractical otherwise. Anyone who wants services back should support the UK reversing Brexit.

[@AquaFonic]

You can’t reverse Brexit people who wanted it are now REGRETTING IT they wanted it so blame them

[@noahbrock349]

There is no good reason whatsoever why international services cannot stop at Ashford now. The whole station was refurbished for that very purpose. Now all that has gone to waste.

[@robtyman4281]

Ashford is also essentially just a small, and unremarkable provincial market town. It's not Canterbury.....or even Tunbridge Wells. Sure it was convenient for Kent people to pick up the Eurostar, without having to schlepp it all the way to St.Pancras; but as others have said - it's not worth Eurostar keeping on serving, as it requires a passport control etc etc . Same applies to Ebbsfleet. Neither are commercially viable for Eurostar. That's the reality. Harsh, but true.

[@robtyman4281]

​@@noahbrock349 it's simply not financially viable for Eurostar. Neither is Ebbsfleet International. And neither is Stratford International.

[@noahbrock349]

@@robtyman4281 I agree that it makes sense for Ebbsfleet not to operate international services, but the Eurostar should at least serve one Kent station. Ashford International would serve Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells. Furthermore, I'm sure there is ample room in Ashford for passport controls. The international departure building is fairly large.

[@pmichael73]

No international trains in Kent. Eurostar should lose the franchise. When Ashford and Ebbsfleet had international services, there were no flights from Gatwick to Paris. How to kill your market. . . .

[@neiljones1530]

😂

[@caramelldansen2204]

:)

[@IS-L]

Saddling has a revers suggesting a good yard in years gone by

[@camotech1314]

This is the reason I spend less and less time outside around people. 5:20