Uckfield Line - Ashurst Station
1st January 1998 to 31st December 2008

Railways came to this area relatively late, and it was not until 10 March 1884 that the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company opened the adjacent line that ran from Oxted to East Grinstead. Subsequently a junction was created south of Hurst Green (then a simple railway halt taking a maximum of two carriages).

A line was then constructed from the Hurst Green junction south through Edenbridge (called Edenbridge Town from 1 May 1896), Hever, Cowden and Ashurst to join with the existing line from East Grinstead through Withyham to Tunbridge Wells. This line opened to passengers on 1 October 1888.

However in those days all services were directed towards Tunbridge Wells and it was not until 7 June 1914 that direct services travelled south from Ashurst towards Uckfield.

<-- Index | Showing 1-12 of 32 pictures | Next -->
The single line from Hever through Cowden ends just north of Willetts Bridge, this view north showing the points where double track restarts. 09.04.2008
The single line from Hever through Cowden ends just north of Willetts Bridge, this view north showing the points where double track restarts. 09.04.2008
 Pulling the camera lens back this is the actual view north from Willetts Bridge. 09.04.2008
Pulling the camera lens back this is the actual view north from Willetts Bridge. 09.04.2008
 Looking south from Willetts Bridge with a long lens a northbound Turbostar waits at the main signal (seen just below the train's headlight). Beyond the main signal (nearer the camera) is the rear of a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal. These signals are more clearly illustrated in the collections for Hever and Crowborough stations. No SPAD signal was fitted at the time of the Cowden collision. 09.04.2008
Looking south from Willetts Bridge with a long lens a northbound Turbostar waits at the main signal (seen just below the train's headlight). Beyond the main signal (nearer the camera) is the rear of a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal. These signals are more clearly illustrated in the collections for Hever and Crowborough stations. No SPAD signal was fitted at the time of the Cowden collision. 09.04.2008
 Looking south towards Ashurst from Willetts Bridge. A 171 Turbostar has just left the single line section and the northbound train waits to proceed. 09.04.2008
Looking south towards Ashurst from Willetts Bridge. A 171 Turbostar has just left the single line section and the northbound train waits to proceed. 09.04.2008
Looking north from Ashurst station in the direction of Willetts Bridge in 2003. The main station building had, by then, been demolished and the site (on the right behind the metal fence) is used for a small car park. 18.04.2003
Looking north from Ashurst station in the direction of Willetts Bridge in 2003. The main station building had, by then, been demolished and the site (on the right behind the metal fence) is used for a small car park. 18.04.2003
 This view north from the station, also taken in 2003, shows the bridges directly adjacent to the station. The nearest is the road bridge over the A264 and next the bridge over the River Medway, which flows directly past the station on the western side and then crosses under the railway to head east. The final bridge in shot is an accommodation bridge to allow farm animals to pass under the railway. 18.04.2003
This view north from the station, also taken in 2003, shows the bridges directly adjacent to the station. The nearest is the road bridge over the A264 and next the bridge over the River Medway, which flows directly past the station on the western side and then crosses under the railway to head east. The final bridge in shot is an accommodation bridge to allow farm animals to pass under the railway. 18.04.2003
 A later picture taken in 2006 shows that the Southern colour scheme and signs have appeared. The brick shed on the right is the only part of the original station buildings that survives. The area on the right was originally occupied by a station house, booking hall, canopy and platform lever frame for the points and signals. 19.03.2006
A later picture taken in 2006 shows that the Southern colour scheme and signs have appeared. The brick shed on the right is the only part of the original station buildings that survives. The area on the right was originally occupied by a station house, booking hall, canopy and platform lever frame for the points and signals. 19.03.2006
 A view north with a longer lens shows, in the far distance, the red signal protecting the entrance to the single line section that starts north of Ashurst station and continues to Hever. The SPAD signal and Willetts Bridge (previously featured) are out of sight around the bend. 19.03.2006
A view north with a longer lens shows, in the far distance, the red signal protecting the entrance to the single line section that starts north of Ashurst station and continues to Hever. The SPAD signal and Willetts Bridge (previously featured) are out of sight around the bend. 19.03.2006
The same view in 2007 with a slightly longer lens. On 15 October 1994 signal OD58 seen in the distance in advance of Willetts Bridge was passed at red by the 08.00 Uckfield to Oxted train, which then ran through (and broke) the points and entered the single line section. Just south of Cowden it collided with the oncoming 08.04 Oxted to Uckfield service which was correctly within the section. The reason why the driver passed the signal will never be known as he and the guard (who was riding in the front cab) were both killed, together with the other driver and two passengers. A memorial to those who lost their lives is at Cowden station. 02.04.2007
The same view in 2007 with a slightly longer lens. On 15 October 1994 signal OD58 seen in the distance in advance of Willetts Bridge was passed at red by the 08.00 Uckfield to Oxted train, which then ran through (and broke) the points and entered the single line section. Just south of Cowden it collided with the oncoming 08.04 Oxted to Uckfield service which was correctly within the section. The reason why the driver passed the signal will never be known as he and the guard (who was riding in the front cab) were both killed, together with the other driver and two passengers. A memorial to those who lost their lives is at Cowden station. 02.04.2007
 A view north down the line from Ashurst station again showing signal OD58. At the time of the Cowden rail crash the weather was foggy but the line is straight at this point and should have provided adequate sighting. In 1994 the signal had no supplementary SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal although one has since been provided and technology has advanced since the collision. The enquiry into the accident considered that the signal met the signalling standards that then existed. 02.04.2007
A view north down the line from Ashurst station again showing signal OD58. At the time of the Cowden rail crash the weather was foggy but the line is straight at this point and should have provided adequate sighting. In 1994 the signal had no supplementary SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal although one has since been provided and technology has advanced since the collision. The enquiry into the accident considered that the signal met the signalling standards that then existed. 02.04.2007
 A wider view shows that by 2007 the northbound platform had been refurbished with a tactile strip, and the car park had been given a proper tarmac surface. The base of the Cab Secure Radio antenna tower can be seen on the right. 02.04.2007
A wider view shows that by 2007 the northbound platform had been refurbished with a tactile strip, and the car park had been given a proper tarmac surface. The base of the Cab Secure Radio antenna tower can be seen on the right. 02.04.2007
 This view south taken in 1998 from the southbound platform shows the neglected state of the station. The platform surface is poor, the fence broken, and trees and shrubs are spreading on to the adjacent platform. 10.10.1998
This view south taken in 1998 from the southbound platform shows the neglected state of the station. The platform surface is poor, the fence broken, and trees and shrubs are spreading on to the adjacent platform. 10.10.1998

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© 1998-2009 Derek Hayward - All copyrights rest with the Author
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