Uckfield Line - Cowden Station and Markbeech Tunnel
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.

On 15 October 1994 a serious railway accident took place just south of Cowden Station.

<-- Index | Showing 1-12 of 41 pictures | Next -->
North of Cowden Station the line passes through Markbeech Tunnel which is 1342 yards long. This view shows the southern portal of the tunnel. Note the white patch on the wall which was provided to assist in the sighting of the up Outer Home signal, long since removed. 10.04.2008
North of Cowden Station the line passes through Markbeech Tunnel which is 1342 yards long. This view shows the southern portal of the tunnel. Note the white patch on the wall which was provided to assist in the sighting of the up Outer Home signal, long since removed. 10.04.2008
 A second view of the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel. Radio antennas for the Cab Secure Radio system can be seen attached to the roof of the tunnel. 10.04.2008
A second view of the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel. Radio antennas for the Cab Secure Radio system can be seen attached to the roof of the tunnel. 10.04.2008
 A closer view of the radio aerials that help to keep trains safe on this section of the line. One aerial points south and another north, sending a signal into the tunnel. The Cab Secure Radio system allows drivers to contact the signalman at Oxted. CSR was installed after the rail accident at Cowden. 10.04.2008
A closer view of the radio aerials that help to keep trains safe on this section of the line. One aerial points south and another north, sending a signal into the tunnel. The Cab Secure Radio system allows drivers to contact the signalman at Oxted. CSR was installed after the rail accident at Cowden. 10.04.2008
 A public footpath runs across the top of the tunnel portal, allowing this unusual view of the rear of the arch and providing a viewpoint from which to look south to Cowden Station. 10.04.2008
A public footpath runs across the top of the tunnel portal, allowing this unusual view of the rear of the arch and providing a viewpoint from which to look south to Cowden Station. 10.04.2008
Looking south to Cowden from the portal of Markbeech Tunnel. The area on the left was the route of the former double track and part of the former goods yard. Two sidings ran north towards the tunnel. After a period when this area was totally derelict, ballast has recently been laid and flattened to such a high standard that one might almost think that track was to be laid. 10.04.2008
Looking south to Cowden from the portal of Markbeech Tunnel. The area on the left was the route of the former double track and part of the former goods yard. Two sidings ran north towards the tunnel. After a period when this area was totally derelict, ballast has recently been laid and flattened to such a high standard that one might almost think that track was to be laid. 10.04.2008
 This shot looks south from Markbeech Tunnel to Cowden Station with a longer lens. The single line curves into the one operational platform. On the left is the site of the former goods yard, which included a goods shed (now demolished). The goods facilities closed in 1960 and the area is now used to store permanent way materials to maintain the line. 10.04.2008
This shot looks south from Markbeech Tunnel to Cowden Station with a longer lens. The single line curves into the one operational platform. On the left is the site of the former goods yard, which included a goods shed (now demolished). The goods facilities closed in 1960 and the area is now used to store permanent way materials to maintain the line. 10.04.2008
 Cowden station sign in Southern colours. The station is actually over a mile from the village of Cowden and closer to Markbeech. 03.04.2005
Cowden station sign in Southern colours. The station is actually over a mile from the village of Cowden and closer to Markbeech. 03.04.2005
 The forecourt of Cowden station looking north. The station house is a private residence. The gates to the former goods yard can be seen on the right of the picture. 18.04.2003
The forecourt of Cowden station looking north. The station house is a private residence. The gates to the former goods yard can be seen on the right of the picture. 18.04.2003
A second view of the forecourt at Cowden station, looking north, taken two years later. This is a quiet rural station some distance from Cowden village and it attracts few customers. 03.04.2005
A second view of the forecourt at Cowden station, looking north, taken two years later. This is a quiet rural station some distance from Cowden village and it attracts few customers. 03.04.2005
 Cowden station forecourt looking south. 02.04.2007
Cowden station forecourt looking south. 02.04.2007
 Looking north from Cowden station towards the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel. It can be seen that in 1998 the goods yard area was very overgrown. 10.10.1998
Looking north from Cowden station towards the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel. It can be seen that in 1998 the goods yard area was very overgrown. 10.10.1998
 A second view of the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel taken from the abandoned northbound platform at Cowden station. A signal box used to stand at the northern end of the northbound platform, giving the signalman a view of the goods yard. 10.10.1998
A second view of the southern portal of Markbeech Tunnel taken from the abandoned northbound platform at Cowden station. A signal box used to stand at the northern end of the northbound platform, giving the signalman a view of the goods yard. 10.10.1998

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