Dover - Dunkirk Jetty, Western Docks

[Barry Jones]

I was working down here today by the entrance to Dover Marina and noticed a caisson gate by the Cemex sand yard. It didn't seem to go anywhere or do anything.

Apparently, it was the entrance to the old train dock, where train ferries would enter a dock so the water levels could be controlled and the train rolled on to the ferry. The dock has now been filled in and has the sand yard on top of it.

Anybody know any more about the history ???

 

[Habebty]

I am a railway track engineer and was involved in removing the last of the track that went into the old Western Docks station in about 1996? The Dover train ferry lasted longer than the Harwich train ferry (the train ferry dock at Harwich has been listed!) as dangerous goods by rail were not allowed through the tunnel. This has probably changed now. About 3 years ago I stopped at Dover and was weather-bound for a few days. I went for a walk alongside what is now the cruise liner terminal - you walk through the old station to get to the end of the pier - can recommend the walk in a WSW gale!!

 

[Cantata]

Train ferries from Dover stopped running long long before the tunnel was opened. I remember them as a kid but that was 50 years ago, when on the adjacent dockside cars were loaded onto the car ferries by crane.

 

[VicS]

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Ferry

I find it hard to believe the service was still running until 1980 !

 

[Twister_Ken]

As a yoof, I remember train-spotting the Golden Arrow (London-Paris express). At the UK end often pulled by Battle of Britain/West Country class streamlined engines. Very smart! It was a daytime service that stopped at Dover and passengers transferred through Dover Maritime station to a ferry, but there was also a Night Arrow, where the sleeping coaches (but not the engine) were rolled onto a ferry, offloaded in France, and hauled to Paris by some inferior French machine.

 

[penfold]

hauled to Paris by some inferior French machine.

Much as it pains me to point it out, french froggie type Andre Chapelon was a better engine designer than any of ours; latterly many engines were fitted with equipment pioneered by him, improving their efficiency hugely.

 

[Habebty]

Train ferries from Dover stopped running long long before the tunnel was opened. I remember them as a kid but that was 50 years ago, when on the adjacent dockside cars were loaded onto the car ferries by crane.

1994 according to dodgypedia

 

[Seajet]

Much as it pains me to point it out, french froggie type Andre Chapelon was a better engine designer than any of ours; latterly many engines were fitted with equipment pioneered by him, improving their efficiency hugely.

Well I don't remember a Canard beating the Mallard !