Unusual Warning System on Trial at Appledore Level Crossing, Kent

Date filmed: Saturday the 29th of March 2025
Video filmed at 17:58

Route: The Marshlink Line
Appledore (APD) Station

Crossing type: Automatic Half Barrier Crossing (AHBC)

Filming location: B2080, Appledore (TN26 2DG)

A half-barrier automatic level crossing situated beside Appledore Station on the Marshlink Line in Kent. This level crossing has loud E2S 'Appello' alarms, 'Stopping / non-stopping controls' which vary its activation time for Ashford-bound trains, and some fairly new barriers with what look very much like 'Ping-Pong bats' on the end of them. These are a trial method of improving visibility at half-barrier level crossings, and are being trialled here following a similar trial in Northallerton, and they act as 'roundels' on the ends of the barriers which will hopefully catch the attention of motorists a little better, as if the bright, reflective barriers weren't enough. Just at the other end of the station, the branch line towards Dungeness splits off from this passenger line.

An Ashford-bound stopping service is featured in this video, with the level crossing only activating as it pulled in to perform station duties as to not keep the barriers down for too much longer than is necessary. The Signallers were making U-turns with the decision as to whether to allow this train or the waiting Railtour on the branch line to proceed first, and after originally taking back this train's route while it was far enough away, decided to send this train first. The Railtour pulled in soon after it left, but had to wait a good 10-15 minutes while this passenger train cleared the section in front towards Ashford, adding to its already sizeable late-running.

Trains featured:
Intro - 0:00
-
Lowering (0:41):
171 808 (Southern) - 1:53
2D50 Eastbourne ➡ Ashford International | 2 minutes late
-
End-of-video picture showcase: 2:37

Train details sourced from:
Real Time Trains: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/sear...
Open Train Times: https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps
Traksy: https://traksy.uk/live

Filmed on: Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus in 4K, 30fps

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