snowdown collery

hi , i saw a iten on my local news about the former site of Snowdown Collery, does anyone know what the plans are for this complex, in my view it would make a first class restoration centre for this part of kent and as the buildings are still standing, would give instant covered accomodation ,ive seen photos of the site and there are several very large buildings that would give them selves to repair shops.

When you look at the facilities at Shepardswell and Selinge , ie, a tent, with everything else stored in the open it does make you think about the chances of stock at these two sites that would stand a better chance of being restored if moved to such a site ,plus there would be room at Snowdown for a running line the two large merchant navies stored at Selinge would stand a better chance of being restored and so would the double decker coach, and im sure that combined working parties from Selinge and the East kent rly would mean that any smaller engines could be used on the East Kent rly and as the main line runs next to the site a mainline registered loco could come straight off after a run to be serviced and Snowdown would be a good base for kent and southeast runs up to london

 

In theory it sounds a good idea but in my view it has some big disadvantages.
The private farm site at Sellindge is not in a village or adjacent to a main road or railway. It is secluded and known only to the locals, enthusiasts and those attending the annual steam fair. It is not likely to attract attention from "unwelcome visitors" and those visiting the site can be seen on the narrow lane approaching the farm. The East Kent Railway sidings at Shepherds Well have limited access are hidden from both the NR main line and the nearest road.
At Snowdown the stock would be clearly visible from the NR line and adjacent road and would probably attraction attention from passing undesirables and a prime target for graffitti artists.

 

Being my local area (Shepherds Well), I would love something to happen.

 

the main problem with selinge is what can you do there once an engine is restored you have to transport it to another railway to test it, and the facilities are very basic, im not knocking the guys but in 2009 restoring an engine in a tent is hardly a perfect situation i just think it would make sense to move the engineering to snowdown and as the east kent has stock that needs restoration it would help them also, with the addition of a running line and servicing facilicies for main line work , you might not even need to have a turntable, there is a triangle very close by at minster , as its close to dover, could the engine from dover museum prehaps find a new home there

 

You mean, back where it came from?

 

New Discussions are now on going about the future of the colliery. I know of some hopes that a museum is positioned on the site however I am also fully aware of knowledge that the site and area within the boundary fence is in a very unstable condition