HELP my Grandson see long freight near Maidstone

[roland day]

I'm not sure anyone can help me and my Grandson?

He is 5 years old and interested in anything mechanical - especially TRAINS! He knows the difference between steam, diesel and electric trains; why the latter needs three rails, and we regularly visit our local station so he can wave at the driver [they are brilliant - always wave or give him a toot!]. He likes watching the 'skimmer' - his word - and to see if it flashes. Loves it when it's wet! I'm a novice in comparison but have told him my boyhood stories of, for example, standing on bridges in short trousers, and being enveloped in steam/smoke and hot ashes!

He would love to see a decent goods/freight train and, like me, counting more than 100 wagons! I've explained that's unlikely, but he still wants to see one.

I've got some general advice at our helpful local station and looked at the realtraintimes website, but due to my lack of knowledge - without success. Can anyone help?

Rollie

 

[that1giox]

I'm not sure anyone can help me and my Grandson? He is 5 years old and interested in anything mechanical - especially TRAINS! He knows the difference between steam, diesel and electric trains; why the latter needs three rails, and we regularly visit our local station so he can wave at the driver [they are brilliant - always wave or give him a toot!]. He likes watching the 'skimmer' - his word - and to see if it flashes. Loves it when it's wet! I'm a novice in comparison but have told him my boyhood stories of, for example, standing on bridges in short trousers, and being enveloped in steam/smoke and hot ashes! He would love to see a decent goods/freight train and, like me counting more than 100 wagons! I've explained that's unlikely but he still wants to see one. I've got some general advice at our helpful local station and looked at the realtraintimes website, but due to my lack of knowledge - without success. Can anyone help? Rollie

If he's looking to see freight it highly depends on what area you live, how far you wish to travel ect. If you could provide me and the rest of the forum with a few more details Im sure we'd be able to get what your son is looking for!

 

[roland day]

If he's looking to see freight it highly depends on what area you live, how far you wish to travel ect. If you could provide me and the rest of the forum with a few more details Im sure we'd be able to get what your son is looking for!

Thank you for your speedy response. We both live in Kent and our local stations are Maidstone East and Maidstone West. Our principle limitation is availability, as he now attends school, so it's after say 4pm and not too late. I understand freight train timetables are only reliable in the short term, and with there scarcity, we may now need to wait for the Easter School holiday. I'm sorry to be so longwinded but hope that helps.

 

[that1giox]

Thank you for your speedy response. We both live in Kent and our local stations are Maidstone East and Maidstone West. Our principle limitation is availability, as he now attends school, so it's after say 4pm and not too late. I understand freight train timetables are only reliable in the short term, and with there scarcity, we may now need to wait for the Easter School holiday. I'm sorry to be so longwinded but hope that helps.

It's fine, longwinded responses provide more details. I'm currebtly out but when I get home I'll give it some research.

 

[TukayAway]

At Maidstone East, you should be able to see freights heading to and from the Channel Tunnel, it's just a question of timing. If you look at realtime trains you can see when freights are due, in this case you're looking at trains to and from Dollands Moor: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MDE/2024-02-14/1321 If it shows as Q for the actual departure time then it's not running and just be aware that freights can often run very early as well as very late.

 

[30907]

At Maidstone East, you should be able to see freights heading to and from the Channel Tunnel, it's just a question of timing. If you look at realtime trains you can see when freights are due, in this case you're looking at trains to and from Dollands Moor: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MDE/2024-02-14/1321 If it shows as Q for the actual departure time then it's not running and just be aware that freights can often run very early as well as very late.

If you select "ZZ" as the TOC you can get a list of all the freights that might run that day. You can then check nearer the time whether any of them is actually running - if it has left its starting point it's a fair bet!
Do the same for West Station - you may be able to see a trainload of stone.

 

[that1giox]

At Maidstone East you've got services that are heading to/from Dollands Moor Sdgs, with some even running later on today. More towards 6PM.
As mentioned above by other members freight services tend to be unreliable, in the fact that they can run really late or really early. At Maidstone West it tends to be more Aggregates (like stones) and some Departmental services. For longer freight trains I would personally recommend Maidstone East as they are container based services. To check the timetable for either station use RealTimeTrains (RTT) and Traksy, if you understand how to look at signal diagrams for more precise information. On RTT select TOC then select ZZ - Freight Services to remove all the passenger trains from the list. If your grandson is also interested in Steam you should look for railtours that are passing Maidstone. All the links to useful websites I'll put below.

RTT Maidstone East
RTT Maidstone West
Traksy Maidstone East
Traksy Maidstone West/Maidstone Barracks
Railtour Info 2024
Check for Railtours through your station

Hope that helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

 

[sh24]

Basingstoke is a good option to travel, regular container trains to and from Southampton. They are long and impressive!

 

[roland day]

At Maidstone East you've got services that are heading to/from Dollands Moor Sdgs, with some even running later on today. More towards 6PM.
As mentioned above by other members freight services tend to be unreliable, in the fact that they can run really late or really early. At Maidstone West it tends to be more Aggregates (like stones) and some Departmental services. For longer freight trains I would personally recommend Maidstone East as they are container based services. To check the timetable for either station use RealTimeTrains (RTT) and Traksy, if you understand how to look at signal diagrams for more precise information. On RTT select TOC then select ZZ - Freight Services to remove all the passenger trains from the list. If your grandson is also interested in Steam you should look for railtours that are passing Maidstone. All the links to useful websites I'll put below.

RTT Maidstone East
RTT Maidstone West
Traksy Maidstone East
Traksy Maidstone West/Maidstone Barracks
Railtour Info 2024
Check for Railtours through your station

Hope that helps, if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!

Thank you for taking the time and trouble to provide such a comprehensive answer. I'll work through your advice and check out the suggested websites. I'll also try to remember to let you know how we get on. Again, many thanks. Rollie

 

[roland day]

Basingstoke is a good option to travel, regular container trains to and from Southampton. They are long and impressive!

Thank you for your reply. Long and impressive is what we're looking for! Basingstoke's a bit of a long haul from here but does look a good option! I have a permit from mum to check out in the holidays if I can nail down some timetable info.
Again, many thanks. Rollie

 

[roland day]

At Maidstone East, you should be able to see freights heading to and from the Channel Tunnel, it's just a question of timing. If you look at realtime trains you can see when freights are due, in this case you're looking at trains to and from Dollands Moor: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/detailed/gb-nr:MDE/2024-02-14/1321 If it shows as Q for the actual departure time then it's not running and just be aware that freights can often run very early as well as very late.

Many thanks for this further information. I'm a bit overwhelmed with the responses. I should have worked harder at trains when I was younger! Naively, I never realised there was so much to it! Rollie

 

[roland day]

If you select "ZZ" as the TOC you can get a list of all the freights that might run that day. You can then check nearer the time whether any of them is actually running - if it has left its starting point it's a fair bet!
Do the same for West Station - you may be able to see a trainload of stone.

Many thanks 30907. Funnily enough, in the 1950s on hot summers days me and a couple of mates used to sit high up on the banks of the River Medway in East Farleigh watching goods trains [as we called them] approaching Maidstone West, whilst our families picked hops in the hop garden behind us. Great memories - different world. Rollie
P.S. I probably shouldn't ask but is 30907 train related?