Faversham - Introduction

This simulation is based on the signalling provided in the 1950's but with colour lights being used in place of semaphores in order to simplify the methods of working. It is designed less as a test of signalling working and more as a Controller's exercise in managing the area's varied train working.

Two timetables (1955 and 1983) have been included to afford the user a variety of train working scenarios.

Background

The station is located on the former South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company main line from London to the Kent coast. It was where the routes to Margate and Dover via Canterbury East diverged, with a branch to Faversham Creek on the banks of the Thames estuary.

The original 1858 station (built for the East Kent Railway) was rebuilt in 1898 and is an example of London, Chatham and Dover Railway architecture. The buildings are Grade II listed and have been well maintained by Network Rail in recent years. A brick engine shed (also Grade II listed) has, however, fallen into ruinous condition at the junction to the east of the station, mainly due to its inaccessibility. A further engine shed, formerly on the Faversham Creek spur has now been renovated and converted as offices. Sidings and other small buildings remain, some a legacy from pre-electrification days (1959) when Faversham Shed (73E) was of some importance. The spur line to Faversham Creek has now disappeared and incorporated into a housing development. The track ran along Standard Quay (a building beside the creek). In 1967, the track on Standard Quay was lifted, although a tiny section survives and Iron Wharf still has a few railway goods vans,[3] now used by the boating fraternity. 

The brick built signal box dated from 1959 when electrification was completed. In 2009 preparatory works were completed before services to London St Pancras via Ebbsfleet International commenced on 13 December 2009. This forms part of the UK's first domestic high speed service (beyond Gravesend) with typical journey times of around 65 minutes. The Chatham Main Line was re-signalled east of Faversham during 2011, and the Faversham signal box was decommissioned in late December (still remaining in situ in August 2014). Signalling responsibilities were transferred to the power box at Gillingham.

Despite having been merged into the Southern Railway in 1923 and British Railways in 1948 the London, Charham and Dover continued to be operationally independent and even in the 1980's retained its own working timetables and self contained service. 

Other than the loss of some Pullman cars and the replacement of King Arthur 4-6-0's by more modern locomotives the service changed little under British Railways until 1959 when the lines west of the Medway were electrified.

Swale Bridge - a rail and road lifting bridge which requires to open for large ships to and from Ridham Docks, a process which takes around 20 minutes from start to finish. This is not every day but when required it can result in trains being delayed or even cancelled. (This information is provided for interest only as the PC-Rail software does not allow this to be replicated.)

Startup photo

A Southern Region pacific (probably Battle of Britain Class 34086, 219 Squadron) heads an Up passenger train from Ramsgate to Victoria. It is approaching Faversham Station from the Margate lines. Date and source of photo unknown.

Acknowledgements

This has been developed jointly by David Palmer and Richard Wade.  
Thanks to those PC Rail users who tested the simulation and helped with their suggestions and comments.