I've been deeply immersed in the Romney Marsh this week (and once or twice quite literally), but obviously couldn't resist another flying visit to Dungeness. On leaving I spotted this curious building, looking like a 1930's public lavatory for the vertically-challenged. But I know that the Southern Railway ran trains down here until 1937, so wondered if this was something to do with it. It's so out of character, that is: not being made of driftwood and not looking like it might take off in the next Channel storm. So, can anybody out there help?
Thursday 15 July 2010
What's That Then?
I've been deeply immersed in the Romney Marsh this week (and once or twice quite literally), but obviously couldn't resist another flying visit to Dungeness. On leaving I spotted this curious building, looking like a 1930's public lavatory for the vertically-challenged. But I know that the Southern Railway ran trains down here until 1937, so wondered if this was something to do with it. It's so out of character, that is: not being made of driftwood and not looking like it might take off in the next Channel storm. So, can anybody out there help?
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ReplyDeleteHow about a bird observatory?, as the area is known for its bird interest. Just a thought!
ReplyDeletethis has the air of electricity sub-station about it - certainly utilities related i'd say
ReplyDeleteCan't see anything on here
ReplyDeletehttp://www.disused-stations.org.uk/d/dungeness/index.shtml
Can this building be spotted on Google satellite? Are there any traces of old lines nearby.
The roads on dungeness tend to be old trackbeds, and I was standing on one to take the photograph. It has to be for electricity I suppose, a comparatively new innovation here.
ReplyDeletewell - there's a lesson here then. Next time:
ReplyDelete1.OS grid reference and orientation
2.A thorough pfotographic survey
3.Dimensions
4.Details of any conduits, pipes, services etc
5. Survey to 20m radius for manholes and I/Cs.
6. Close up shots to idenify material source, particularly useful for identifying brick manufacturer, roofing tiles/slates, masonry etc
7. A thorough root around in the long grass for discarded plaques, signs etc
.... next time !
The Southern Railway owned most of the Dungeness area at some point, inherited from the South Eastern Railway who liked to use the shingle as ballast. The shingle made completely awful ballast, probably the primary cause of the 1927 Sevenoaks accident. The nearest passenger station was Lydd, but there were various shingle-quarrying freight branches in the Dungeness area.
ReplyDeleteA thorough root around in the long grass for signs etc? Trouble is, that Lord Carrot will have been there before you.
ReplyDeleteElectrickery I reckon...they seem to like those small high windows. Did you spot any highly disguised railway carriages on your travels?
ReplyDeleteElectrickery I reckon...they seem to like those small high windows. Did you spot any highly (or thinly) disguised railway carriages on your travels?
ReplyDeleteSorry....spooky double post there...can you delete please MrA?
ReplyDelete