Horsted Keynes to Kingscote
There are five collections covering the operational part of the line: (a) Sheffield Park Station; (b) the line from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes; (c) Horsted Keynes Station; (d) the line from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote and (e) Kingscote Station.
Signal boxes have separate collections: (a) Sheffield Park Signal Box; (b) Horsted Keynes Signal Box; and (c) Kingscote Signal Box (including the old southern box).
Photos relating to the Bluebell Railway's Northern Extension to East Grinstead are in several separate collections within the Photographic Tours index.
SCROLL DOWN to view the pictures. Click here to return to the main website index page.
The railway cottages at Horsted Keynes. There is a similar group of cottages at Sheffield Park. 22.06.2008
Looking east towards the site of the Memorial Garden at Horsted Keynes. 29.04.2009. (This image was taken before the Memorial Garden was commissioned).
The site of the new memorial garden viewed from the northern end of Horsted Keynes station. 29.04.2009. (This image was taken before the Memorial Garden was commissioned).
A view of the cleared embankment in the vicinity of the memorial garden at Horsted Keynes. 29.04.2009. (This image was taken before the Memorial Garden was commissioned).
In 2009 work was still in progress within the garden itself. The surface had been cleared but needed more attention before it was finished. (The Garden was subsequently finished and dedicated - a separate collection covers this). The area provides views over the line and towards Horsted Keynes station. Photographers are respectfully requested not to use this garden as a vantage point. 29.04.2009
Looking north from Horsted Keynes along the two reversible running lines that lead to Leamland Bridge. The up siding (or headshunt) contains some of the expertly restored goods wagons, and behind them on the embankment the railway cottages associated with the station can be seen. 08.09.2007
Fenchurch passes the Up Advance Starters as it steams under Leamland Bridge with a train for Kingscote. Reversible working applies on both lines in this area, evidenced by the Starting signals for both lines. 24.02.2007
The north side of Leamland Bridge has a good viewpoint for photographers (from a public footpath) and is seen here without a locomotive in shot! 29.08.2005
To prove that Leamland Bridge does offer photographic opportunities 65 steams north with the Victorian coaches. 28.01.2007
The view north from Leamland Bridge. The southbound Inner Home signal can be seen in the distance, but there are no photographers leaning over the gate! 29.08.2005
Woodland adjacent to Leamland Bridge features a large selection of wild flowers. The bluebells are just coming into bud. 17.05.2015 11294
The embankment at Leamland Bridge has an excellent annual display of primroses. 30.03.2014 10129
The same excellent display of primroses on the embankment at Leamland Bridge the following year. Assuming the lineside clearance team cut the scrub back at the appropriate time this display is normally reliable every year. 10.04.2015 10661
Looking north from Leamland Bridge with the primroses in bloom. 11.04.2010 1811
The eastern embankment at Leamland Junction just after the lineside clearance team had finished work in the area. The shape and profile of this embankment was subsequently changed. 12.02.2011
The western embankment at Leamland Junction just after the lineside clearance team had finished work in the area. A public footpath runs along the top of the embankment at this point allowing a good view of trains from a position of safety. 12.02.2011
The eastern embankment north of Leamland Junction in primrose season. 30.04.2016 15035
The reverse of the previous view looking towards Leamland Bridge, with the Down Inner Home signal in shot. 30.04.2016 15036
The southbound Inner Home signal (with route indicator and shunt signal) is situated a short distance north of Leamland Bridge. 08.09.2007
The same signal viewed from the adjacent public footpath. 29.08.2005
Looking south west from the public footpath the Ardingly Branch curves away to the west from the southern end of Horsted Keynes Station. Stock can be seen in the distance in the long siding that was the up line into the station. The lens gives a false impression and the carriages are actually some distance away. 22.02.2009
Looking west from the public footpath on the top of the embankment, towards some of the homes across the valley, including a converted oast house. 12.05.2012 7828
Looking north from the embankment at a departing train hauled by 9017. By sheer fluke I operated the shutter just as the Advance Starter was returning to danger, catching the signal in the process of falling. Bet I couldn't do that again.... 12.02.2011
As seen in the previous image, a second Up Advance Starter is situated north of Leamland Bridge, and is the last signal before trains pass to the control of the signalman at Kingscote. 29.08.2005
Another view of the second Horsted Keynes Advance Starter, with the public footpath on the left behind the fence. 08.09.2007
A public footpath runs alongside the line north of Horsted Keynes and crosses the line south of Horsted House Farm bridge. This view looks south from the foot crossing. The second Up Advance Starter in the previous picture can be seen in the distance. This footpath allows visitors without a lineside permit to get quite close to the trains whilst remaining in a safe public environment. 29.08.2005
The public foot crossing south of Horsted House Farm, looking north towards the private farm bridge. Please note that the road to the farm bridge is not a public right of way. 29.08.2005
The public foot crossing south of Horsted House Farm, looking east. 22.02.2009
The public foot crossing south of Horsted House Farm, looking west. 22.02.2009
The public foot crossing south of Horsted House Farm, looking north. The farm buildings are hidden by the trees on the left and the bridge carries a private road. 29.08.2005
The cutting leading to Horsted House Farm bridge, looking south. 29.08.2005 (I was on private property when I took this image, but had obtained permission in advance).
The Outer Home signal for southbound trains at Horsted House Farm bridge as 41312 runs south. Note the repeating arms on the Home signal for better sighting. In 2006 this Distant signal was fixed at Caution. 01.09.2006
Horsted Keynes Outer Home signal. The repeating arms allow better sighting. This signal is actually slightly taller than originally intended as solid rock was encountered which prevented the post from being sunk as deeply as anticipated. 08.09.2007.
Horsted House Farm Bridge looking south. The Whistle board relates to the public foot crossing south of the bridge. The road carried by this bridge is not a public right of way. 08.09.2007
Looking south down Horsted House Farm cutting from the north end. The trackside hut has a pleasant seat adjacent to it (out of shot). 08.09.2007.
Unfortunately on 24 June 2009 sparks from 592 caused a fire which rapidly became an inferno. The fire brigade could do nothing except to prevent the fire from spreading. The pleasant seat remains (in the background) but that may be of little consolation to the PWay staff. 25.10.2009.
A second view of the burnt out PWay hut at Vaux End. Note that coal is in the grate...! 25.10.2009
Time heals nature. The Vaux End PWay hut remains a ruin but the primroses now flourish. 18.04.2015 12273
Looking east from the same location towards a group of houses (Tanyard) where the public footpath that previously crossed the railway returns to the main road. 08.09.2007
Looking north, a cattle creep (and stream) passes under the railway at Vaux End Bridge. The parapets are seen here as 80151 approaches. 08.09.2007
Having crossed the bridge the railway enters the wooded Northwood Cutting, named after a mansion to the east of the line. This view looks north. 08.09.2007
This view looks back south along Northwood Cutting towards Vaux End Bridge (the parapet can just be seen in the distance). 08.09.2007
Turning round and looking north, the Horsted Keynes Outer Distant signal comes into view. 08.09.2007.
Further up Northwood Cutting this shot looks north past the Distant signal towards the lineside hut known as Black Hut. 08.09.2007
Looking south from the same point it can be seen that the line negotiates a sweeping bend as it climbs steadily towards West Hoathly Tunnel. 08.09.2007
Looking south at the Horsted Keynes Outer Distant signal. 08.09.2007.
In 2007 this signal was fully operational and not a fixed distant as was then found at some other locations. The signalman (unknowingly) obliged by pulling off just at the right moment. 08.09.2007
The immaculately presented interior of the apparatus case at the Outer Distant signal. 08.09.2007