Uckfield Line - Buxted Station, Sleeches Viaduct and Greenhurst Viaduct
1st January 1998 to 31st December 2008

The original Uckfield Station (now closed) was first reached from the south by the Lewes and Uckfield Railway in October 1858. The company was purchased by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway in 1864 and a new more heavily engineered southern route opened on 1 October 1868. This whole section closed on 23 February 1969.

The line was extended north from Uckfield to join a new line from Tunbridge Wells to Groombridge in the period 1864 to 1868. Work was complicated by the need to construct a tunnel and two viaducts between Buxted and Crowborough, but the line opened on 5 August 1868. Double track was provided in 1894. In the early days services were directed towards Tunbridge Wells and it was not until 7 June 1914 that direct services travelled north from Eridge to Ashurst and on to Oxted.

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Sleeches Viaduct, looking east. This is the more northerly of two viaducts on the line between Crowborough Station and Buxted Station. The viaduct is 183 yards in length and consists of 11 brick arches, unfortunately partially obscured by trees. 10.04.2008
Sleeches Viaduct, looking east. This is the more northerly of two viaducts on the line between Crowborough Station and Buxted Station. The viaduct is 183 yards in length and consists of 11 brick arches, unfortunately partially obscured by trees. 10.04.2008
 Greenhurst Viaduct is located south of Sleeches Viaduct and is 185 yards in length, consisting of 10 brick arches. This view from the west is unfortunately slightly obstructed by trees. 10.04.2008
Greenhurst Viaduct is located south of Sleeches Viaduct and is 185 yards in length, consisting of 10 brick arches. This view from the west is unfortunately slightly obstructed by trees. 10.04.2008
A second view of Greenhurst viaduct, looking east. 10.04.2008
A second view of Greenhurst viaduct, looking east. 10.04.2008
 Within this general area it is very common to find wartime pillboxes overlooking the line. This example survives on the western side of Greenhurst viaduct and would have had a line of fire over the whole structure. 10.04.2008
Within this general area it is very common to find wartime pillboxes overlooking the line. This example survives on the western side of Greenhurst viaduct and would have had a line of fire over the whole structure. 10.04.2008
The entrance to Buxted station. I presume the houses on the left to be railway cottages. 10.04.2008
The entrance to Buxted station. I presume the houses on the left to be railway cottages. 10.04.2008
 Buxted Station building, with the inevitable car park payment machine. This station attracts passengers from the Uckfield area because of inadequate parking facilities at Uckfield. 02.09.2007
Buxted Station building, with the inevitable car park payment machine. This station attracts passengers from the Uckfield area because of inadequate parking facilities at Uckfield. 02.09.2007
 The same view two years earlier, with a slightly more dull colour scheme and a less obvious requirement to Pay Here for the car park. 17.11.2005
The same view two years earlier, with a slightly more dull colour scheme and a less obvious requirement to Pay Here for the car park. 17.11.2005
 Buxted Station car park was originally a goods yard with a goods shed, although this was demolished many years ago. This view looks north with the Cab Secure Radio mast on the left and a mobile phone mast on the right. 10.04.2008
Buxted Station car park was originally a goods yard with a goods shed, although this was demolished many years ago. This view looks north with the Cab Secure Radio mast on the left and a mobile phone mast on the right. 10.04.2008
The original entrance to Buxted goods yard, with the former trackbed still visible. 10.04.2008
The original entrance to Buxted goods yard, with the former trackbed still visible. 10.04.2008
 In 1998 it was possible to gain access to the abandoned northbound platform for this view north along the platforms. The line is single track from Greenhurst Viaduct into Uckfield. The abandoned northbound platform was then tatty but not overgrown. A footbridge used to link the two platforms at the southern end of the station. 19.09.1998
In 1998 it was possible to gain access to the abandoned northbound platform for this view north along the platforms. The line is single track from Greenhurst Viaduct into Uckfield. The abandoned northbound platform was then tatty but not overgrown. A footbridge used to link the two platforms at the southern end of the station. 19.09.1998
 By 2005 the northbound platform was very overgrown but a picture north through the station could still just be obtained. Southern colours and signs had appeared on the operational platform. The Cab Secure Radio tower can be seen at the northern end of the station. 17.11.2005
By 2005 the northbound platform was very overgrown but a picture north through the station could still just be obtained. Southern colours and signs had appeared on the operational platform. The Cab Secure Radio tower can be seen at the northern end of the station. 17.11.2005
 A closer view of the platform side of the Buxted Station building. By 2005 electronic departure information was being provided at the station. 17.11.2005
A closer view of the platform side of the Buxted Station building. By 2005 electronic departure information was being provided at the station. 17.11.2005

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