Southeastern’s direct train to Margate, Ramsgate and Whitstable from Greenwich line is back

Southeastern’s summer special trains to Kent coastal resorts running direct from stations along the Greenwich line will begin running every day from 24th July.

Trains on the route are currently running each weekend depending on engineering work, and call at all stations along the Greenwich line towards Whitstable, Herne Bay Margate and Ramsgate.

Abbey Wood to Whitstable takes 1hr and 19 mins, for example. Add another five minutes for Woolwich Arsenal.

Services run slightly earlier on weekends than on weekdays from 24th July. For example, on weekends trains leave Woolwich Arsenal at 8:56am compared to 9:28am on weekdays.

There are also two trains to the coast on weekends each morning.

Trains

Trains used on the route are normally Networkers which are nearing 30 years old and lack air con. The first of around 30 trains are now heading off to storage and likely scrap.

In their place will come air conditioned stock moving over from South Western Railway. That’s a big benefit on warm summer says – though there’s question marks of whether they will be in use in time over the summer – and if they are, whether Southeastern will allocate them to the route.

If they aren’t running and it’s a Networker, many may prefer to take the standard air conditioned suburban trains on Thameslink to Medway and change to Southeastern’s long distance trains, though of course that option is available year round.

As for fares, it remains to be seen if summer specials such as walk-up return tickets for £20 return.

What’s on

Assuming restrictions ease in July there’s a wide number of events over the summer at Kent seaside towns.

Margate will see the return of its soul festival from 6th-8th August.

Whitstable’s Oyster festival runs from 27th to 30th August.