Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Hundreds of locals flocked to Deal Station on Saturday to give a huge 'Welcome to Deal' for the 200 passengers visiting the town on the world-famous Orient Express train, on the first of four UK Pullman 'Discover Deal' excursions in 2012.
Founders of Deal station's new café 'Platform 1', Nick and Andy Stevens, along with local independent traders The Just Reproach and The Bohemian, jointly organised the reception for visitors and all were on hand to provide information of their popular town centre establishments and other Deal attractions to visit during passengers' two-hour stay.
Nick Stevens, who was interviewed live on BBC Radio Kent's Pat Marsh Breakfast Show on Saturday morning, said : "We'd like to thank all the local people who came to the station to not just see the world famous train, but who gave visitors such a wonderful welcome. We were determined to make a positive impression by maximising this opportunity to showcase the town to visitors, many of whom were visiting Deal for the first time and whom we hope will return time and time again."
"Our new retro-style 'Platform 1' café proved hugely popular with many visitors and we look forward to welcoming many more on future 'Discover Deal' excursion visits in 2012."
Platform 1 cafe co-owner Andy Stevens added: "It was a fabulous event for the town, and brilliant to see so many people flocking to the station to welcome our guests. That sort of friendly welcome is what Deal is all about - and thankfully it was wonderful weather too, showing the town in its very best light.
"The feedback from Orient Express passengers and train staff we spoke to was marvellous and really positive: they really enjoyed their short stay in the town and the lovely welcome they received at the station. Let's hope lots of local businesses benefited from the Orient Express' first of four visits to Deal this year. It's all very good news for the town."
The next three Orient Express 'Discover Deal' excursions are on Friday 29th June, Saturday 18th August and Wednesday 26th September.
Evoking further memories of glorious eras of train travel, the iconic Golden Arrow steam train also travelled through Deal Station on Saturday, following the afternoon departure of the Orient Express UK Pullman.
'Platform 1' cafe is open Monday to Friday from 05.30am to 5.30pm and on Saturdays from 08.00am to 5.30pm, serving a range of hot and cold drinks, snacks and selection of newspapers.
For more information go to facebook.com/platform1deal or twitter.com @platform1deal
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Absolutely bloody marvellous! What an initiative! Well done to all concerned.
http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Orient-Express-welcomed-Kent-seaside-Discover/story-16144098-detail/story.html?ito=email_newsletter_thisiskent
Nice pics on the news item.
I'm just sad that it couldn't happen in Dover.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Thanks Terry.
Nick and I, Dovorians born and bred, wish this sort of thing could happen in Dover too.
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,316
Being (a) a rail enthusiast and (b) wanting to promote Dover I would love to get involved in promoting just such events. Sadly, increasing decrepitude on my part and lack of initiative in the right place in this town means that it won't happen.
Forethought could have been given to the Cruise terminal to a allow a train still to use it. The "triangle" could have been left to allow steam engines to reverse. Alas, that is not possible now. Think of the possibility, starting a cruise with a Pullman train from London or Manchester or even Edinburgh. It would have been possible. But not now.
So, how about emulating Deal with a day trip? Yes, it could work as Andrew says, but "could" and "will" are two different words and "will" in another context just isn't there.
Once again, well done Deal.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Ah...Andy beat me to it with this one. All sounds great indeed.
here are a couple of pictures that Nick sent over...
Nick Stevens left and Andy Stevens right..the proprietor meeters and greeters of Platform 1
Shot of the famed Orient Express...I'm sure I see Hercule..
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
congratulations to all involved, wish i had heard about it in advance.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
My fault there Howard. I did get info in on it but what with all the other info coming in it completely slipped my mind...I did put it to one side in a special file but then forgot about it all.
Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
I think this is the next one -
http://www.orient-express.com/web/uktr/journeys/4_154711.jsp?date=26%20September%202012&departure=London%20Victoria
You can always search on the website for others, Folkestone and Canterbury are also regular destinations.
A view from inside!
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,895
Well done to all those involved it is nice to see a local town promoted.
What a shame Dover sits firmly on its a..e when it come to this sort of promotion, just think how much money a train load of visitors can spend.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 703- Registered: 30 Jul 2010
- Posts: 2,096
It might not stop here for operational reasons, when we went on a trip we got off at Winchester but had to take a coach trip to Southampton to get back on where it had parked up for the afternoon. I'm sure if the company thought there was demand for a Dover trip they would do their best to make it happen.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
regrettably i don't see a demand here, people who pay for such a trip would see deal as an elegant destination but not dover.
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
It was wonderful.
Also impressive to see the Stevens boys whip up a media and public frenzy! Well done.
Finally fame. You can see my stupid head in the first picture from the 'this is kent' article.
Guest 663- Registered: 20 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,136
Oh what a wonderful train thank you for those dates Andrew, its one train that i'm sure every lover of trains would love to ride on,and in the style of Hercule naturally.
Guest 705- Registered: 23 Sep 2010
- Posts: 661
Terry #4.
It is quite possible to reinstate the triangle - if you would wish to recommission Dover Marine Station...but you can still run steam excursions to Dover Priory without the need to turn your loco. So Terry-it could happen in Dover.
However-there are only 2 places in Kent where the Golden Arrow should terminate and Depart from- Folkestone Harbour and/or Dover Marine. The Remembrance Line Association are fighting a gallant action in Folkestone to save the Folkestone Harbour Railway and its station. Last week they were able to put their case to the planning inspector. The latest SDC planning strategy openly wishes to dispense with the railway and any potential harbour operation.
Now hopefully there would be no resistance from DDC or DTC or the port owners to reinstate the classic rail link into the Western Docks at Dover. This future vision would tie into perfection with the cruise terminal-and maybe even be the basis for additional rail services to link with a foot passenger fast cat ferry service to French Ports. The Marine Station restored could be a people's community operation with volunteers backing up a small permanent staff. The Marine Station could double as the Dover Promotion and Information Centre -thus removing complaints about the existing kiosk. Just think how the Castle, the Western Heights, the bronze age boat, the nearby moored TSS Dover and all the other great heritage stuff in Dover could be effectively publicized from this focal point. A suitably designed multi story car park could cater for visitors arriving by car-funnel them all through the Marine Station like English Heritage direct you through their merchandise section!
Promoting the unique world renowned Dover Brand could never be more lucrative.
Never give up...
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
That was a great idea and brought to fruition by independant businesses - very well done guys.
With a CAN-DO attitide in Dover, this is a great "do-able" idea. I tried this some years ago with the old steam trains that occcasionally pass through Dover, but the biggest problem then (apart from a NO-CAN-DO approach) was lack of watering facilitiea at Dover Priory station.
Well done Deal.
Roger
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Thanks Darren,
And a frenzy it was!
Good to see you and Polly at the Platform 1 media 'happening'!
Cheers,
Andy
Guest 752- Registered: 21 May 2012
- Posts: 25
Thanks for reminding me of the other dates.
I met Marlene Burnham our new mayor on Saturday night and she commented what a good event it had been and how people from the train were pleased that the mayor had actually turned out and had theri photos taken with her. We reckon a couple of americans actually thought she was the Queen!!.
Well done all
Peter
This is my first post by the way or BTW!
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
Welcome aboard Peter.
Audere est facere.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Yes indeed, welcome Peter.
Hope you enjoy the Forum, but if there are postings you don't agree with, please don't take offence - we're all O.K. really (well most of us are !)
Roger
Guest 684- Registered: 26 Feb 2009
- Posts: 635
Thank you, Peter. Nick and I were very pleased with the way it all came together. The first of many.
Cheers,
Andy
facebook.com/platform1deal Twitter: @platform1deal
