Uckfield Line - Uckfield Station
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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There are no significant buildings at the current Uckfield station, which consists of a concrete platform built on the site of the former down line, east of the High Street. In 1998, when this view was taken, the platform was slightly short, and the station lamps can be seen extending east beyond the platform. If you listened carefully at night you could hear the screams of unwary passengers as they plunged down to track level.... 19.09.1998
There are no significant buildings at the current Uckfield station, which consists of a concrete platform built on the site of the former down line, east of the High Street. In 1998, when this view was taken, the platform was slightly short, and the station lamps can be seen extending east beyond the platform. If you listened carefully at night you could hear the screams of unwary passengers as they plunged down to track level.... 19.09.1998
 By 2005 commonsense had prevailed and a nice modern extension had been built at the end of the platform. Six coach trains would fit, but unfortunately not eight coach Turbostars... Ho hum! The warning signs are a mystery - crossing the line leads to a barbed wire fence, and there is no live rail... Never mind.... 17.11.2005
By 2005 commonsense had prevailed and a nice modern extension had been built at the end of the platform. Six coach trains would fit, but unfortunately not eight coach Turbostars... Ho hum! The warning signs are a mystery - crossing the line leads to a barbed wire fence, and there is no live rail... Never mind.... 17.11.2005
 Looking north with a slightly longer lens the remains of the former up line can be seen on the bend. The down line now forms a single track route until north of Buxted station. 02.09.2007
Looking north with a slightly longer lens the remains of the former up line can be seen on the bend. The down line now forms a single track route until north of Buxted station. 02.09.2007
 Looking west down the platform from the extension the basic facilities can be seen. There is simply a single track and one platform. 17.11.2005
Looking west down the platform from the extension the basic facilities can be seen. There is simply a single track and one platform. 17.11.2005
A later view in 2007. Uckfield Mills originally stood behind the trees on the left and the River Uck passes under the station. 02.09.2007
A later view in 2007. Uckfield Mills originally stood behind the trees on the left and the River Uck passes under the station. 02.09.2007
 Looking east from just beyond the buffers in 1998 the river bridge can be seen on the left. 19.09.1998
Looking east from just beyond the buffers in 1998 the river bridge can be seen on the left. 19.09.1998
 Roughly the same view in 2005. There is a small shelter provided, but the station is not what would be expected for a town the size of Uckfield. 17.11.2005
Roughly the same view in 2005. There is a small shelter provided, but the station is not what would be expected for a town the size of Uckfield. 17.11.2005
 A final view from the buffers in 2007. An electronic departure board can be seen in the distance, beyond the shelter. 02.09.2007
A final view from the buffers in 2007. An electronic departure board can be seen in the distance, beyond the shelter. 02.09.2007
Turning round, the buffers mark the point where the railway passed over a level crossing into the former station on the other side of the road. Through the gate the fence on the other side of the road marks the position of the former level crossing gates. 17.11.2005
Turning round, the buffers mark the point where the railway passed over a level crossing into the former station on the other side of the road. Through the gate the fence on the other side of the road marks the position of the former level crossing gates. 17.11.2005
 The former Uckfield signal box that controlled the signals and the level crossing is now a cab office. At least the company maintains it in a very satisfactory condition. 02.09.2007
The former Uckfield signal box that controlled the signals and the level crossing is now a cab office. At least the company maintains it in a very satisfactory condition. 02.09.2007
 Looking across the road from the other side of the level crossing towards the station entrance and old signalbox. The former Uckfield station is featured in a separate collection. Please choose the appropriate link below. 17.11.2005
Looking across the road from the other side of the level crossing towards the station entrance and old signalbox. The former Uckfield station is featured in a separate collection. Please choose the appropriate link below. 17.11.2005

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