Last days of Eurostar trains using link between Farningham Road & High Speed One 10th November 2007

This film starts at Farningham Road, the last station on the London to Chatham line before Eurostar trains to and from London Waterloo branch off at Fawkham Junction onto the two mile spur that leads to the first section of High Speed One, formally Channel Tunnel Rail Link section 1. Opened in 2003, the spur was laid on the disused track bed of the old line to Gravesend West Street. It is on this line that Eurostars switch between the Southern Region 750v 3rd rail and the 25kv overhead systems. Lineside signs tell the driver when to do this. If you look closely at the 4th scene (1:29) you will see the pantograph spring up onto the contact wire. Signalling systems also change between the TVM430 in-cab used on HS1 and conventional colour light signals of the Southern Region. At Southfleet the line curves onto HS1. In four days' time, trains will speed to and from the new London St Pancras International on the two centre lines at 186mph and the spur will become redundant, ending this very short lived and interesting feature.

[@SiVlog1989]

I will always remember times travelling to Waterloo on South West Trains and running parallel to a Eurostar running into the International terminal. The speed they were allowed on the third rail network seemed painfully slow compared to the capable speed they could achieve on high speed lines

[@TrainJosh395]

Beautiful video of a bygone era. It was this livery and the 373 that first got me started with trains as a hobby when I first visited England back in Christmas 2008. I never knew that Fawkham to Southfleet was OHLE, I always thought it was 750V DC. Sadly I never got a chance to see or ride the trains there in person.

[@RODALCO2007]

Great video, love the sound of the loco's.

[@jamestoyn9755]

i would love to see the whole of Fawkham Junction along with the 3rd rail and overhead wires on train simulator 2022 now that will be something to remember if it ever happens.

[@nowapproachingyt]

1:11 that moment when it switches to Overhead Wires is actually really satisfying if you get what I mean.

[@mysteriouskazakh]

Sure, for the rail passangers. But it certainly makes that stretch of motorway it paces for a good 10 miles a lot more interesting!

[@HSTHoward]

love it very much going to medway bridge soon

[@dylanjb4065]

Speed?

[@andydiaz697]

Is this line now abandoned ?

[@kermito3659]

legally still in use if I remember correctly, mothballed I think