Uckfield Line - Crowborough Station and Crowborough Tunnel
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.

<-- Index | Showing 1-12 of 33 pictures | Next -->
Crowborough Station is large, spacious building and if you arrived knowing nothing about the Uckfield line it might reasonably be assumed to be a main line station. Being actually in Jarvis Brook and very close to the large town of Crowborough the car park is invariably full. 07.12.2005
Crowborough Station is large, spacious building and if you arrived knowing nothing about the Uckfield line it might reasonably be assumed to be a main line station. Being actually in Jarvis Brook and very close to the large town of Crowborough the car park is invariably full. 07.12.2005
 The main entrance to Crowborough Station viewed from the west. The station was named Rotherfield until 1 August 1880, when it became Crowborough. Jarvis Brook was added to the station name in 1897, but this later fell into disuse. 07.12.2005
The main entrance to Crowborough Station viewed from the west. The station was named Rotherfield until 1 August 1880, when it became Crowborough. Jarvis Brook was added to the station name in 1897, but this later fell into disuse. 07.12.2005
 A view south showing the car park on the western side of the line. This was originally a large goods yard and (on the left) cattle pens with a suitable loading dock. There was also a long siding running directly adjacent to the boundary with Farningham Road where the cars on the right are currently parked. This joined the main line south of the station alongside Crowborough Brick Works. On the left a train departs towards Buxted and Uckfield. 10.04.2008
A view south showing the car park on the western side of the line. This was originally a large goods yard and (on the left) cattle pens with a suitable loading dock. There was also a long siding running directly adjacent to the boundary with Farningham Road where the cars on the right are currently parked. This joined the main line south of the station alongside Crowborough Brick Works. On the left a train departs towards Buxted and Uckfield. 10.04.2008
 Another view of Crowborough station building, looking from the north. 07.12.2005
Another view of Crowborough station building, looking from the north. 07.12.2005
The platform side of the main building in 2008. The canopy originally ran the whole length of the building. The door that is used as the entrance to the station has been painted in Southern green, but the blue doors nearer the camera would benefit from some attention. 10.04.2008
The platform side of the main building in 2008. The canopy originally ran the whole length of the building. The door that is used as the entrance to the station has been painted in Southern green, but the blue doors nearer the camera would benefit from some attention. 10.04.2008
 Southbound passengers have never enjoyed large facilities, but they did originally have a canopy. In recent times they at least have the benefit of a brick built shelter. Given that there is now only Buxted and Uckfield to the south there is not usually a crowd on the platform. 07.12.2005
Southbound passengers have never enjoyed large facilities, but they did originally have a canopy. In recent times they at least have the benefit of a brick built shelter. Given that there is now only Buxted and Uckfield to the south there is not usually a crowd on the platform. 07.12.2005
 Looking north from Crowborough Station towards Eridge. Just north of the station there is a single line section which extends through Eridge to Ashurst. 19.09.1998
Looking north from Crowborough Station towards Eridge. Just north of the station there is a single line section which extends through Eridge to Ashurst. 19.09.1998
 Trains can go north from Crowborough Station from either platform. This facility presumably caters for potential problems in the single line section south to Uckfield. The signals are arranged in a similar way to Hever station with blue SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signals beyond the main signal. If a train passes the main signal it should be brought to a halt, but the SPAD signals are also activated and show a steady red in the centre with flashing red lights above and below the steady red aspect. 10.04.2008
Trains can go north from Crowborough Station from either platform. This facility presumably caters for potential problems in the single line section south to Uckfield. The signals are arranged in a similar way to Hever station with blue SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signals beyond the main signal. If a train passes the main signal it should be brought to a halt, but the SPAD signals are also activated and show a steady red in the centre with flashing red lights above and below the steady red aspect. 10.04.2008
A slightly longer lens shows the SPAD signals and junction more clearly. 10.04.2008
A slightly longer lens shows the SPAD signals and junction more clearly. 10.04.2008
 Looking south along Crowborough station platform from the north end. 10.04.2008
Looking south along Crowborough station platform from the north end. 10.04.2008
 Crowborough Station has the benefit of a large canopy for northbound passengers, although it originally extended further to the south. The bridge in the background was a temporary structure erected in 2005 whilst repairs were made to the main footbridge. 07.12.2005
Crowborough Station has the benefit of a large canopy for northbound passengers, although it originally extended further to the south. The bridge in the background was a temporary structure erected in 2005 whilst repairs were made to the main footbridge. 07.12.2005
 A view north showing the main building at Crowborough Station. The canopy originally extended to the end of the building. 10.04.2008
A view north showing the main building at Crowborough Station. The canopy originally extended to the end of the building. 10.04.2008

Click here to return to the main site Index page

 

Google
 

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