As the demolition of a key part of Ashford's rail heritage begins, Charlie Harman got a chance to look around Chart Leacon - and found out what remains is more than just the shell of a building...

When talking to any Ashford native, almost every one will have some connection to the imposing building next to Matalan which was once a hive of activity.

The site opened in 1961 as a rail depot, refurbishing and maintaining rolling stock up until its closure in 2014.

But its demolition will see a new light maintenance depot with five sidings open at the site, bringing 50 jobs back into the area.

So there were mixed emotions when I had the privilege of touring the site alongside 50 former workers; sadness at its going, but happiness that it would be brought back into use in the same sector.

From the outside the building has survived relatively intact, if a little overgrown.

Inside, the machinery has largely been removed and the once overpowering noise of industry has now been replaced with the cooing of pigeons and an over-enthusiastic (if ineffective) bird scarer.

Offices still bear the detritus of their users and pointed graffiti remains on walls, largely unseen for more than half a decade.

However, as someone who knew little of the history or day-to-day life in the sheds, one thing shone much more than the structure itself… the people who worked there.

The group I was with – consisting of Colin Howland, Mark Hollingsbee, Bob Fear, Andrew Fear, John Dixon and Alan Crotty – abounded with memories, each rekindled by a certain point of interest we were passing.

Mr Howland, when coming upon one building, pointed and said: “This was the shunters’ office, and one day we decided to do it up.

“We gave Percy Vaughan some paint to do up the floor, and we later came in to find him with the floor painted white all the way between him and the door –he was trapped in there.”

John E Dixon – apparently one of two John Dixons who worked together – recalled: “When anybody retired, they used to get on the train horns and everybody would ‘bang them out’,” – meaning to bash their hammers on the nearest available piece of metal.

A separate and slightly concerning tradition allegedly included tarring and feathering a couple who had been tied to a nearby pole.

Another key part of working life there were nicknames, some of which bore no connection to a person at all.

So pervasive was the use of these that some given names were forgotten and replaced by their earned titles.

These included Bucketchops, Bublo, Rivvy, Cod and Ruby Williams (I was not informed as to why these were chosen, but I hope they’re less offensive than some of the ones we can’t print).

A bartering system was also in place, with people from the foundry or the smithy offering metalwork, trinkets or just odd bits-and-bobs in return for fish or favours.

Another facet of Chart Leacon life was an innate lack of concern when faced with dangerous situations.

The former employees told me of a time when a white-hot rivet was thrown towards someone who failed to get out of the way.

The searing metal then went down his shirt, managing to cause a nasty burn down the man’s chest.

Colin, 81, also remembered: “There were huge anvils here that we had to brush off, but one man decided to use his hands –he spent the rest of his life with only one.”

Walking around, it was hard to picture these scenes, which sounded chaotic yet seemingly fun, judging by the smiles on the old boys’ faces.

Leaving the site it became clear that while the building is destined to be erased, the memories of working there will live on.

What does the future hold?

Chart Leacon in Beaver Lane was owned by Bombardier when it closed in 2014, ending the town’s only surviving link with its railway heritage.

But last July, councillors approved plans in principle for a new light maintenance train depot at the spot, submitted by Network Rail.

The rail operator applied for permission for demolition of the existing structures, as well as building a two-storey workers’ accommodation block and 36 parking spaces.

Southeastern trains displaced from the town’s Hitachi depot as a result of the £7 billion Thameslink programme are set to be housed at the new stabling yard – in short, a place to park trains between uses.

Only the sidings will be brought back into use during the first stage of the project, which is set to be completed in 2023.

It is not yet known what Network Rail will use the rest of the site for, but contractors are now starting to demolish the buildings.

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