A photographic tour of the Bluebell Railway - Former line from Hamsey and Culver Junction to Sheffield Park
1st June 2007

An opportunity to take a photographic tour north along the former line from Hamsey and Culver Junction to Sheffield Park. Although the trackbed is now in poor condition and extensively overgrown, you can see the environment in June 2007. The line has been closed for more than 50 years and naturally many views are obstructed by vegetation.

Please note that some sections of the line are now private property, and other parts are totally impassable. It is not possible to walk the entire length. The line can also be seen on OS maps and Google Earth. This collection will take some time to view.

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The tour starts at Hamsey Church, south west of Culver Junction.  This view looks south towards the village of South Malling.  The old line from Lewes enters the picture on the middle left, and curves round following the line of trees on the right of the houses.  Nearer the camera you can see the remains of an old bridge where the line crossed the River Ouse.  The slope directly in front of the camera is a cutting which has been totally filled in (shades of the Imberhorne Lane Tip).  Nearest the camera is assumed to be some kind of venting system for gases to escape from the fill in the cutting.
The tour starts at Hamsey Church, south west of Culver Junction. This view looks south towards the village of South Malling. The old line from Lewes enters the picture on the middle left, and curves round following the line of trees on the right of the houses. Nearer the camera you can see the remains of an old bridge where the line crossed the River Ouse. The slope directly in front of the camera is a cutting which has been totally filled in (shades of the Imberhorne Lane Tip). Nearest the camera is assumed to be some kind of venting system for gases to escape from the fill in the cutting.
Turning round, the delightful high arched bridge is now buried in spoil and all that can be seen is the parapet.  The trees growing beyond the northern parapet unfortunately completely blocked any photography from this excellent high viewpoint.
Turning round, the delightful high arched bridge is now buried in spoil and all that can be seen is the parapet. The trees growing beyond the northern parapet unfortunately completely blocked any photography from this excellent high viewpoint.
This view looks over the bridge to the south east.  The road leads only to a pleasant old church.  On the left the ground drops away in a sheer drop beyond the left hand parapet, but the trees prevent any view.
This view looks over the bridge to the south east. The road leads only to a pleasant old church. On the left the ground drops away in a sheer drop beyond the left hand parapet, but the trees prevent any view.
This view looks north west across Hamsey bridge, and down the approach road.  The parapet is almost concealed by undergrowth on both sides.
This view looks north west across Hamsey bridge, and down the approach road. The parapet is almost concealed by undergrowth on both sides.
The line ran away from the bridge across the river flood plain, and there are many historic pictures showing the excellent view at it curved away towards Culver Junction.  Such pictures are now impossible owing to trees, and the only view I could find was this distant shot of the raised embankment beyond this private pond.
The line ran away from the bridge across the river flood plain, and there are many historic pictures showing the excellent view at it curved away towards Culver Junction. Such pictures are now impossible owing to trees, and the only view I could find was this distant shot of the raised embankment beyond this private pond.
As it leaves Hamsey the old trackbed runs directly north east and for the majority of the time forms a farm track, although in some places the line is now part of fields.  This view looks south east from Culver Farm towards an area where the trackbed is a little less well defined.  (This area is private property, photographed with permission).
As it leaves Hamsey the old trackbed runs directly north east and for the majority of the time forms a farm track, although in some places the line is now part of fields. This view looks south east from Culver Farm towards an area where the trackbed is a little less well defined. (This area is private property, photographed with permission).
Even after over 50 years the railway still makes it's mark.  The iron girders and wooden fixings for rails can be seen on this bridge over a stream feeding the River Ouse.
Even after over 50 years the railway still makes it's mark. The iron girders and wooden fixings for rails can be seen on this bridge over a stream feeding the River Ouse.
This view, which looks south west towards Hamsey, is typical of the state of the majority of the trackbed in this area.  The railway was raised up slightly on an embankment to gain some protection from flooding by the adjacent river.
This view, which looks south west towards Hamsey, is typical of the state of the majority of the trackbed in this area. The railway was raised up slightly on an embankment to gain some protection from flooding by the adjacent river.
Turning round, this view looks north east towards Culver Junction.
Turning round, this view looks north east towards Culver Junction.
For some reason best known to the contractors, when the line was taken up this single telegraph pole was left standing, perhaps as a memorial.  It has survived for over 50 years.  This view looks south west.
For some reason best known to the contractors, when the line was taken up this single telegraph pole was left standing, perhaps as a memorial. It has survived for over 50 years. This view looks south west.
The same telegraph pole, but looking north east.  When the line was open this would have been a farm crossing.  The original gate can be seen on the right.
The same telegraph pole, but looking north east. When the line was open this would have been a farm crossing. The original gate can be seen on the right.
Walking nearer to Culver Junction this view looks back south west.  Note the hills in the background which blocked the railway's path.  The line turned left towards Lewes.
Walking nearer to Culver Junction this view looks back south west. Note the hills in the background which blocked the railway's path. The line turned left towards Lewes.

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