Tenterden in Kent, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Ashford Railway Works

Photographed by Michael Herrick

1. Ashford Railway Works Marker

Inscription.

Ashford Railway Works. . Ashford Railway Works - the early years. As early as 1834 The South Eastern Railway looked towards a line between London and Dover and by February 1846 the Directors had spent £21,000 to purchase 185 acres of countryside for what was quaintly referred to as a 'Locomotive Establishment’. By the summer of 1847 an initial seventy-two labourers cottages were built. In 1850 the Carriage and Wagon Works opened. In the same year (28 October), the railway line between Ashford, Rye and Hastings was opened by The Lord Mayor of London. A Chaplain, the Reverend John Pughe was appointed in the same year to cater for people's spiritual needs, having his salary paid entirely by the company. By 1852 the town's population had risen from 3,000 to 5,000 and increased to 7,000 by 1861. In the same year The Newtown School was built and this could accommodate up to 550 pupils. Those who planned and managed the expansion of the works and associated dwellings had the foresight to provide a school, leisure facilities (including public baths) and a general store from the outset. The first locomotives rolled out of the Railway Works in 1853. Examples of the stock built at Ashford can be seen at K&ESR. Our Family saloon was built there in 1900, followed by SE&CR carriage No. 2947 a year later. The P Class engine entered traffic in February 1909. The unique looking ‘Birdcage' carriage was completed in 1910. Hundreds were employed as engineers, fitters, turners, smiths, drillers, lamp makers, carpenters, painters and labourers. Some of the lesser known occupations included a rubber down, staver, striker, rivet lad, vicemen and fetler! Many more houses were built around a village green, including a tavern built in 1866 (originally called The Locomotive, but later becoming The Alfred Arms), and shops. It was called Alfred Town or Alfred New Town, which by 1861 became known as New Town and is still referred to as this today. The highest paid employees were usually the smiths who earned between 24 and 36 shillings, closely followed by the turners who earned between 21 and 34 shillings. Fitters and carriage painters earned between 21 and 30 shillings and lamp-makers earned between 16 and 36 shillings dependent on their experience and skills. Drillers received between 16 to 22 shillings with labourers earning between 15 to 18 shillings. The 1851 census shows that just nine women were employed at the works as sheet and lining makers and paid between 12 and 15 shillings a week. There was a large turnover of men in the early years attributable to perhaps the hard, dirty and noisy working conditions, or the harsh discipline imposed by the company. Reasons for dismissal included insolence, carelessness, drunkenness, dishonesty, bad timekeeping, disobedience, neglect of duty and ‘stealing brass’.

Ashford Railway Works - the early years As early as 1834 The South Eastern Railway looked towards a line between London and Dover and by February 1846 the Directors had spent £21,000 to purchase 185 acres of countryside for what was quaintly referred to as a 'Locomotive Establishment’.

By the summer of 1847 an initial seventy-two labourers cottages were built.

In 1850 the Carriage and Wagon Works opened. In the same year (28 October), the railway line between Ashford, Rye and Hastings was opened by The Lord Mayor of London. A Chaplain, the Reverend John Pughe was appointed in the same year to cater for people's spiritual needs, having his salary paid entirely by the company.

By 1852 the town's population had risen from 3,000 to 5,000 and increased to 7,000 by 1861. In the same year The Newtown School was built and this could accommodate up to 550 pupils.

Those who planned and managed the expansion of the works and associated dwellings had the foresight to provide a school, leisure facilities (including public baths) and a general store from the outset.

The first locomotives rolled out of the Railway

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Works in 1853. Examples of the stock built at Ashford can be seen at K&ESR. Our Family saloon was built there in 1900, followed by SE&CR carriage No. 2947 a year later. The P Class engine entered traffic in February 1909. The unique looking ‘Birdcage' carriage was completed in 1910.

Hundreds were employed as engineers, fitters, turners, smiths, drillers, lamp makers, carpenters, painters and labourers. Some of the lesser known occupations included a rubber down, staver, striker, rivet lad, vicemen and fetler!

Many more houses were built around a village green, including a tavern built in 1866 (originally called The Locomotive, but later becoming The Alfred Arms), and shops. It was called Alfred Town or Alfred New Town, which by 1861 became known as New Town and is still referred to as this today.

The highest paid employees were usually the smiths who earned between 24 and 36 shillings, closely followed by the turners who earned between 21 and 34 shillings. Fitters and carriage painters earned between 21 and 30 shillings and lamp-makers earned between 16 and 36 shillings dependent on their experience and skills. Drillers

Photographed by Michael Herrick

2. Ashford Railway Works Marker

received between 16 to 22 shillings with labourers earning between 15 to 18 shillings.

The 1851 census shows that just nine women were employed at the works as sheet and lining makers and paid between 12 and 15 shillings a week.

There was a large turnover of men in the early years attributable to perhaps the hard, dirty and noisy working conditions, or the harsh discipline imposed by the company. Reasons for dismissal included insolence, carelessness, drunkenness, dishonesty, bad timekeeping, disobedience, neglect of duty and ‘stealing brass’.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1846.

Location. 51° 4.214′ N, 0° 41.148′ E. Marker is in Tenterden, England, in Kent. It can be reached from the intersection of Station Road and Rogersmead, on the right when traveling north. Located at Tenterden Town Station, Kent & East Sussex Railway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tenterden, England TN30 6HE, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Greater South East.

Globally, it is on the Atlantic

Photographed by Michael Herrick, September 9, 2018

3. Ashford Railway Works Marker

Ocean,

in the North Atlantic Region,

in Europe,

in Atlantic Europe,

on one of the British Isles,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ashford’s legacy at the K&ESR today (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Ashford’s legacy at the K&ESR today (here, next to this marker); Tenterden Yard Crane (within shouting distance of this marker); Tenterden Town The First Station Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kent & East Sussex Railway (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Visit (within shouting distance of this marker); Tenterden Town Signal Box (within shouting distance of this marker); Rye & Camber Coach Chassis (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tenterden.

Also see . . . Kent & East Sussex Railway. (Submitted on February 1, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on January 27, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 1, 2019, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.