47 342 at Northfleet Cement Works, Kent. 1987.
47 342 stands in the lunar like landscape of Northfleet Cement Works with gypsum train 6H34 11.30 from Mountfield Exchange Sidings in East Sussex. The gypsum train is seen on the 'A' loop which prescribed a large balloon loop through the plant from Northfleet Sidings beside the BR North Kent line. 'A' Loop was shared by the coal trains too but the gypsum intake was much further round the loop adjacent to the cement loading shed which can be seen in the background. By this date the 'B' loop had been rationalised with one track removed through the cement loading shed. When completed in the 1960's APCM's Northfleet plant was the largest cement works in Europe, it was said a double decker bus would easily fit within the rotating kilns. The 'A' loop ran beside one of the kilns and it was quite impressive with heat coming off it like an open furnace. Alas Northfleet fell victim to cheap imports from Southern Europe in the mid 1990's and has since closed.
During gypsum discharge it was common for the hopper beneath the train to fill up to track level thus requiring the train to stop for up to half an hour before resuming to unload using the automatic MGR style discharge equipment fitted to the wagons at the stately pace of ½mph.
This was quite a long day for Tonbridge crews but one I remember well as it was triple manned back then with Driver, Guard and Secondman. If time permitted we all used to wander down to the quayside on the Thames to watch the tugs or shipping. Others thought of their stomach however and made use of the rather fine canteen for the cement works staff.
47 342 at Northfleet Cement Works, Kent. 1987.
47 342 stands in the lunar like landscape of Northfleet Cement Works with gypsum train 6H34 11.30 from Mountfield Exchange Sidings in East Sussex. The gypsum train is seen on the 'A' loop which prescribed a large balloon loop through the plant from Northfleet Sidings beside the BR North Kent line. 'A' Loop was shared by the coal trains too but the gypsum intake was much further round the loop adjacent to the cement loading shed which can be seen in the background. By this date the 'B' loop had been rationalised with one track removed through the cement loading shed. When completed in the 1960's APCM's Northfleet plant was the largest cement works in Europe, it was said a double decker bus would easily fit within the rotating kilns. The 'A' loop ran beside one of the kilns and it was quite impressive with heat coming off it like an open furnace. Alas Northfleet fell victim to cheap imports from Southern Europe in the mid 1990's and has since closed.
During gypsum discharge it was common for the hopper beneath the train to fill up to track level thus requiring the train to stop for up to half an hour before resuming to unload using the automatic MGR style discharge equipment fitted to the wagons at the stately pace of ½mph.
This was quite a long day for Tonbridge crews but one I remember well as it was triple manned back then with Driver, Guard and Secondman. If time permitted we all used to wander down to the quayside on the Thames to watch the tugs or shipping. Others thought of their stomach however and made use of the rather fine canteen for the cement works staff.