Unregistered User
18 September 2009
18:2729140Direct from Vince Lucas , one of the top men at South Eastern Trains- JHG will no doubt give me Vince's official title- the service from Dover will be increased from six carriages to twelve carriages to cope with the unexpected demand. Dover's numbers match the numbers at both Folkestone stops and have caught South Eastern out. Travellers from Deal make up these numbers as there is no stop at Deal.
Watty
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
18 September 2009
18:4129143looks like the doom mongers have been caught out on this one.
double the expected demand?
i see that work is also starting on the folkestone road to fit in with the upgraded station.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
18 September 2009
18:4429145Great news - hope it continues to grow.
Yes indeed Howard; looks like they've started on the crossing first.
Roger
18 September 2009
18:4729146I have just been negotiating a contract in paddington so the train will be just right for us - jolly good
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
18 September 2009
19:1329149the extra money on the fares will be worth it to a lot of people, to whom time is money.
not forgetting those who would simply like to spend less time stuck in a train.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
19 September 2009
06:4529153That's right Howard.
Hopefully many people who currently live and work in London (earning London size wages) will try the train journey and see how good and quick it is and with these extra coaches, how comfortable.
If they like what they see here and can find good quality homes here (isn't it a shame those wonderful old Victorian houses in Folkestone Road have been allowed to be turned into little tiny boxes for ne'er-do-wells ?) they could sell there home in Bromley or Barnet and move to Dover.
Selling their house anywhere in Greater London and buying similar or better around here, would mean no mortgage and loads of money in the Bank and possibly enough left over for a small place in France or Spain - that would work well for anyone I'd think.
A lot of work will need to be done to make Dover good enough to make them move here though.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
19 September 2009
08:0129159Another shot of the great train bringing a much needed boost to Dover...seen here as it was about to depart for St Pancras for the first time. The passengers are aboard and its ready to roll...
and a shot not seen before of some of the gathered movers and shakers on the inaugural morning.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
19 September 2009
08:5529161This is fantastic news. Imagine how good it's going to be once the full service is up and running and Dover Priory and its environs are revamped.
Let's hope the powers-that-be in Dover and Deal really start to ramp up the proposed regeneration and our lovely towns really start to benefit.
Cheers all,
Andy
PS: I hope that as part of the revamp that the faded "Welcome To White Cliffs Country" placard on Platform 1 gets replaced too. It's about time. Unreadable and very shabby. Let's announce that we are Dover and proud!
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,698
19 September 2009
11:4229170I understand that southeastern are reviewing whether to start the train from Deal, it runs down to Dover from Ramsgate depot, so it is not like it will make a huge difference to the service.
Yes this is good news for Dover, but frankly you need to get on with the DTIZ, the station improvements, start to tart up the town centre, start taking a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour before Dover becomes truly attractive to outsiders.
"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today." - James Dean
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
While loving someone deeply gives you courage" - Laozi
Guest 683- Registered: 11 Feb 2009
- Posts: 1,052
19 September 2009
11:5629171It is good news but the Deal link could prove troublesome. If I was looking to relocate from London and could choose between down at heel, shabby Dover and attractive, lively Deal I know which i would choose.
Mark
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
19 September 2009
12:3129176Dover...of course.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
19 September 2009
12:3229177Ross is right - there are opportunities here but Dover needs to step up to the plate. When I was working in London I drove daily, a round trip of a minimum of 170 miles, usually quite a bit more more. If I could have had a comfortable, reliable, cost-effective train I would have opted for that when possible. The only thing stopping me would have been those days when I needed to move around London and borders and trains etc wouldn't cut it.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
19 September 2009
12:3729178I have no idea how you managed that drive every single day."It would do my 'ead in" as my son would say.
Mind you if you were an MP,Bern, then you could have had a second home....don't start Marek off again......
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
20 September 2009
09:0329188From Ross: "Yes this is good news for Dover, but frankly you need to get on with the DTIZ, the station improvements, start to tart up the town centre, start taking a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour before Dover becomes truly attractive to outsiders."
Absolutely spot-on, Ross, or Dover will be caught on the hop and miss out. Again.
This time, though, it's Dover town centre's last chance of redemption and renewal. It really is.
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
23 September 2009
09:0029284Made my High Speed Train debut up to the Smoke on Monday. It really is sensational, as is St Pancras International. Never want to travel to London on an old-style train again.
Does eveyone really appreciate how good this could be for the local economy? Or are we yet again in a dithery rabbit-in-the-headlights situation?
The capital city is now properly connected with Dover in a 21st century sense. But is Dover ready for it?
As for the Deal HST connection, well, Monday's 6.42 came in empty from Ramsgate and arrived at Dover Priory around 6.32, meaning it would have had plenty of time to stop at Deal for a couple of minutes.
If only the HST stopped at Deal at peak times, that would be a real boost for starters. Seems pointless the train trundling through from Ramsgate without stopping at Deal (I'm not suggesting it should stop at Sandwich, Walmer or Martin Mill, by the way).
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
23 September 2009
09:0729285I understand this is not a long term arrangement for the HST, it wont be coming via Deal when fully in service. I am sure someone might correct me if I am wrong.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
23 September 2009
14:4429294I of course can't comment too much,but the train stops at Folk Central and West so there shouldn't be too much problem stopping at Deal,then the passengers who want to go on HS 1 can catch the train to Deal or Dover and pick it up there too.Another thing that I think has failed in the marketing machine is yes it is high speed and costs more money,but if you were traverling out of Kings Cross or Euston as well as St Pancras,it is just a short walk saves catching the underground bus or taxi across London to go North.
My only wish is they would let me on it as staff are barred from catching the train at the moment.St Pancras as Andrew has said is a magnificant station,it was always one of the best stations but now it is incredible,even has the longest champaign bar in europe just for Paul B
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
23 September 2009
16:0629295Good to see you enjoyed your trip on HST Andrew, it certainly looks brilliant, I myself will have to find some reason to go to London. And maybe John has found that very reason...the longest Champagne bar in Europe!.. will I never. The recession isnt biting too hard in London by the looks of it as the streets are still clearly paved with gold. I 'll have to sample that Champagne before too long.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
23 September 2009
18:4829299i cannot imagine the railways running a champagne bar.
do they slide them down the end like in all the cowboy films?
let us hope that the canapes are not turned up at the corners.
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
23 September 2009
21:5929306The railway doesn't run the bar Howard,as they do not run the buffets either,they did in the days of BR and we ran ships hotels property as well as the buffets and trains.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
