Thanet Coast

Introduction

Set around the North Kent coast in the area known as the Isle of Thanet, this simulation includes the seaside towns of Westgate on Sea, Margate,  Broadstairs and Ramsgate. Beyond Ramsgate the line south to Dover extends through Sandwich and Deal. The junctions south of Minster link the different lines.

Frequent passenger services link the coast here with London (Charing Cross, Cannon Street and Victoria) and also with Dover and Ashford.

Freight traffic was mainly coal, which was transported by rail from the four collieries of the Kent coalfields. Betteshanger colliery, the largest, was to the west of the line near Deal. All were closed by 1989. 

Method of signalling

As part of the the Kent Coast Electrification scheme, 3-aspect colour light signals were installed as far as Ramsgate (to signal 478) with Track Circuit Block working, replacing boxes at Margate and Ramsgate.

Absolute Block working remained on the Dover line and the boxes at Minster, Sandwich and Deal retained mechanical lever frames and semaphore signals until 2009. 

For the purposes of this simulation all signals are shown as multiple-aspect colour lights, with NX route setting. 

Electrification

The Kent Coast Electrification Scheme was completed in two phases in 1959 and 1962. All lines are electrified with the Southern's third-rail 750 to 850 volts DC system. Current. is supplied from substations along the trackside.

Bidirectional working

Margate: Platforms 3 and 4
Ramsgate: All platforms

Platform and siding capacities (chains)

Note: 1 chain is equivalent to 1 coach or 3 wagons.
For loco-hauled trains, reduce the capacity by 1 for each loco.

Westgate-on-Sea 
Platforms				13
Down Siding 			20
Up Siding				13

Margate
P1						14
P2						14
P3						13
P4						13
P5 S258  S271			 7
P5 S265  Buffer stops   5
Down Siding				14
Dock	 				 9
Bay Siding S266  S272	 5
Bay Siding S265  Buffer stops	  5

Broadstairs
Platforms				14

Dumpton Park
Platforms				14

Ramsgate
All platforms			20
No 1 Rd Lay By			14
No 4 Rd Lay By			14
Up Siding West			12

Grove Ferry
Platforms				10
Down Siding				10

Minster
All platforms			10
Run Round				12
Dock					10
Down Sidings			12

Sandwich
Platforms 1 and 2		14
Station Siding			14
Spur					 6
Headshunt				 7

Deal
Platforms				14
Loco Spur				 5
Shunt Spur				20
Dock					 7
Down Siding				11

Operating notes

The main passenger service routes are as follows: -
London Victoria to Ramsgate via Chatham, Faversham with extra rush hour trains to from Cannon St.
London Charing Cross to Margate via Tonbridge, Ashford (and divides with front portion via Dover, Deal to Margate and the rear portion via Canterbury West, Sturry Minster and Ramsgate and some to Margate. The same happens on the return journey with the Dover portion joining up to the Canterbury West portion (leaving Ramsgate later than the Dover portion).
London Victoria via Maidstone East, Ashford, Canterbury West, Sturry and Minster, terminating at Ramsgate or Margate.
The Dover, Deal, Ramsgate branch has basically one train an hour in each direction.
The Ashford, Canterbury West branch has 2 trains an hour in each direction, as does the Victoria via Faversham Ramsgate Service, with a couple of extra trains in the late morning from the Dartford North Kent line with seaside specials.

The operator needs to keep an eye on shunting requirements at Ramsgate.

Design compromises

There are many automatic half barrier (AHB) crossings on the route between Minster Junction and Walmer and also one at Grove Ferry. Due to lack of space these are not shown.

Startup photo

Class 33 (BRCW Type 3) diesel loco number 33 223 on ballasting duties outside of Ramsgate station. Photo taken from the Minster end, looking towards the Carriage Shed and the station.

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to the late Richard Wade for putting it all together, Geoff Butler for his help and advice, and our PC-Rail testers for their time and efforts in completing the simulation.


