15 December 2008
11:3410974#1
I hear through my many and various sources (some reliable, some less so!) that our revered local railway supremos are looking into the feasibility of re-opening Dover Marine station (or the cruise terminal, in new money) in the not-too-distant.
Now that would be something. Imagine it: a high-speed rail link from one grand railway cathedral (the Marine) to another (St Pancras). And with a potential five-star, Grade 1-listed hotel beside it (or Southern House, if you prefer).
How about that for some imaginative thinking re the Western Docks redevelopment? Using the town's finest assets. After all, if it was good enough for our Victorian/Edwardian forefathers (and David Dimbleby!), then it should be good enough for us.
Regards all,
Andy
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
15 December 2008
12:1910975#2
That would be super but haven't they tarmaced over the tracks etc and turned it into a car park.Mind you it would not be too expensive to reverse.
My parents once came down by train from Stockport without having to traverse Euston to Charing X.Got on in Stockport with all their luggage and alighted at the Marine Station.Why oh why did they close down that link and route.
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
15 December 2008
13:0510978#3
I think this has been mulled over for quite a few years by DHB. They filled in the platforms, but I am sure it would be reversable although expensive....
Been nice knowing you :)
Terry Nunn
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
15 December 2008
13:2610979#4
I seem to recall Ed Connell and myself having a dialogue about this on the old DoverWeb. My assertion was that it could cater for the "money market" and have the Orient Express calling again.
The yanks would love all that pampering.
Ah Marek, through trains! The last one we had was about 20 years ago. Class 47 hauled via Kensington Olympia to Manchester. Travelled on it a number of times, the buffet car always ran out of sandwiches!
Before that of course was the Birkenhead train. Went on that once, took hours.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
15 December 2008
14:1110980#5
I remember in the mid-Eighties getting a train direct from Dover Marine to Manchester Piccadilly. Great stuff - bring the old place back to its former glory, I reckon. Would be a fab add-on for Dover's cruise industry too.
Guest 645- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,463
15 December 2008
14:4610982#6
I'd prefer have the money spent on the Marine Station rather than the Cable Car
Marek
I think therefore I am (not a Tory supporter)
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
15 December 2008
16:5510985#7
As Andrew mentions this magnificent Hotel in his top posting I thought I would include it here. I took this by co-incidence only this very weekend as it got caught by some early winter sun. It caught my eye as it looked particularly good in the lighting.
Wouldnt it be marvellous if all this was brought to life again.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
15 December 2008
19:1910995#8
I'm not sure this would be a good thing for Dover (opening up the Marine station again) as people would come down on the morning of their cruise and get straight on board ship.
This would mean that Dover businesses (including hotels and guest houses) wouldn't benefit at all.
We need the cruise passengers and the crew to spend their money here.
Roger
Terry Nunn- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 4,321
15 December 2008
19:3910999#9
Ray Haines was promoting a new hotel, why not bring back into service Southern House? The former Lord Warden Hotel, now owned by DHB, exuded luxury in it's day. What a package, three cruise terminals, a short railway station, some high speed trains reversing there on their way to Ramsgate and the VSOP calling to meet and drop wealthy tourists on their way to the liners.
Nope, it won't happen. All Bob Goldfield thinks about is freight.
Terry
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
15 December 2008
20:1311006#10
would be lovely to see the old hotel restored to its former glory, and the station of course.
it all seems like a pipe dream though.
Ross Miller
- Location: London Road, Dover
- Registered: 17 Sep 2008
- Posts: 3,709
15 December 2008
21:1311008#11
DHB in its consultation over the Western Docks did include outline proposals for a freight rail head.
This proposal was/is designed to help DHB increase unaccompanied freight throughput at the port, the DHB officers Ii spoke to at the time were categorically clear there was no intention to handle passengers. Of course things move on and this may have changed.
I understand from my sources that the Dover Marine/Western Docks area was looked at as a start point/holding area for the Javelin trains but this was ruled out due to the expense of re-instatement of track and platforms as well as the lack of ready pedestrian access etc. The favoured solution is to use the existing facilities at Dover Priory, with the possibility of adding a further island platform where the existing train sidings are for the use of the Victoria services freeing up platform 2 for the Javelin Service.
"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 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
15 December 2008
21:4111011#12
"why not bring back into service Southern House"
I had heard rumour that they may, possibly why they purchased it back recently ?
Been nice knowing you :)
