Uckfield Line - Hever 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.

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Hever station forecourt. The station building is now privately owned and is occupied by a commercial company. Access to the platforms is via a gate on the right of the picture. Unfortunately the station is a considerable distance from the castle and village, and the route is via some rather narrow country lanes where some caution is required to avoid passing traffic. The station is, therefore, not well used. 14.08.2005
Hever station forecourt. The station building is now privately owned and is occupied by a commercial company. Access to the platforms is via a gate on the right of the picture. Unfortunately the station is a considerable distance from the castle and village, and the route is via some rather narrow country lanes where some caution is required to avoid passing traffic. The station is, therefore, not well used. 14.08.2005
 Looking north from Hever station towards Edenbridge Town. The track between the two stations is straight for the whole length. A signal box originally stood at the end of the platform on the left, giving the signalman a view of the former goods yard. 27.09.1998
Looking north from Hever station towards Edenbridge Town. The track between the two stations is straight for the whole length. A signal box originally stood at the end of the platform on the left, giving the signalman a view of the former goods yard. 27.09.1998
 The same shot north from Hever station as the previous picture but with a wider camera angle showing the refurbished platforms. 18.09.2003
The same shot north from Hever station as the previous picture but with a wider camera angle showing the refurbished platforms. 18.09.2003
 Moving the camera slightly to the east the site of the old Hever Station goods yard can be seen on the right. A large goods shed stood in the yard but was demolished after the yard closed. 18.09.2003
Moving the camera slightly to the east the site of the old Hever Station goods yard can be seen on the right. A large goods shed stood in the yard but was demolished after the yard closed. 18.09.2003
Hever Station goods yard looking north. Directly behind the fence was a raised platform which facilitated loading and unloading of goods, but, like the goods shed, it has vanished without trace. 09.04.2008
Hever Station goods yard looking north. Directly behind the fence was a raised platform which facilitated loading and unloading of goods, but, like the goods shed, it has vanished without trace. 09.04.2008
 The site of Hever Station goods yard looking south. The coach in the distance is featured in the next picture. 09.04.2008
The site of Hever Station goods yard looking south. The coach in the distance is featured in the next picture. 09.04.2008
 The commercial company which occupies the station building required more space, and have used part of the goods yard to site a refurbished coach to meet their needs. Very appropriate. It stands at the end of what would have been the long siding at the back of the goods yard. 14.08.2005
The commercial company which occupies the station building required more space, and have used part of the goods yard to site a refurbished coach to meet their needs. Very appropriate. It stands at the end of what would have been the long siding at the back of the goods yard. 14.08.2005
 The same coach three years later in 2008. One of the difficulties of using old railway stock in this way is that it needs regular refurbishment. 09.04.2008
The same coach three years later in 2008. One of the difficulties of using old railway stock in this way is that it needs regular refurbishment. 09.04.2008
Looking south along the Hever station platforms from the north end. There was originally a canopy on each platform. 27.09.1998
Looking south along the Hever station platforms from the north end. There was originally a canopy on each platform. 27.09.1998
 About seven years later another view south from the southbound platform at Hever station. The lamps and signs have changed to Southern colours, but the footbridge is still blue. 14.08.2005
About seven years later another view south from the southbound platform at Hever station. The lamps and signs have changed to Southern colours, but the footbridge is still blue. 14.08.2005
 By 2003 the Thumpers providing the service were often dirty and reduced to two carriages. Unit 205025 stops on it's way north. 18.09.2003
By 2003 the Thumpers providing the service were often dirty and reduced to two carriages. Unit 205025 stops on it's way north. 18.09.2003
 Thumper 205025 departs north from Hever en route to Edenbridge Town and Oxted. 18.09.2003
Thumper 205025 departs north from Hever en route to Edenbridge Town and Oxted. 18.09.2003

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