Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes
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.
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The Ouse River Bridge, a substantial double track structure, is directly north of Sheffield Park station. Crew members look out on both sides as 672 Fenchurch crosses the bridge on 14.01.2007
Someone obviously decided to clearly date the timbers on the River Ouse Bridge. 12.09.2009
Have you ever wondered what might be inside one of those grey cabinets that you pass? Well this is what the one outside Sheffield Park looks like. 10.03.2007
As trains leave Sheffield Park they pass the Inner Home bracket signal which incorporates Calling On arms to allow moves towards the platforms when they are occupied. 21C123 passes the signal on 10.03.2007. The Starting signal can be seen in the background in the Off position.
The same signal, in this case cleared for Stepney to enter Platform 2 with a returning Footplate Days and Ways course on 02.06.2007
One of those shots where you are in the right place at the right time. The Sheffield Park Inner Home bracket signal is pictured as a military helicopter passes by. It is not that unusual to find helicopters overflying Sheffield Park. 14.04.2011 0727 (For those in doubt this is not photo editing trickery).
In 2017 temporary colour light signals and "calling on" signals were installed whilst the bracket signal was refurbished. 02.04.2017 17062
In 2017 temporary colour light signals and "calling on" signals were installed whilst the bracket signal was refurbished. Some of the new (or refurbished) parts are seen at ground level before fitting. 06.05.2017 17109
In 2017 temporary colour light signals and "calling on" signals were installed whilst the bracket signal was refurbished. Some of the new (or refurbished) parts are seen at ground level before fitting. 06.05.2017 17110
A little further north is Poleay Bridge, which gives access to a meadow. At times when the river is high excess water can escape under this bridge. 672 Fenchurch runs north with the Observation Car 08.05.2007
The first signs of The Bluebell Railway are just north of Poleay Bridge. In spring Bluebell Specials allow the flowers to be viewed from the Observation Car. 01.05.2008.
Signals have to be repaired and maintained. The Sheffield Park Advance Starter receives some refurbishment on 25.03.2007. This signal was subsequently shortened and repositioned.
The finished Sheffield Park Advanced Starter signal, repainted, and with a new safer gallery fitted at the top. 02.04.2007. This signal was subsequently shortened and repositioned.
The same signal is featured later in the month as 80151 arrives at Sheffield Park. 15.04.2007
A rainbow caught in the eastern sky just north of Sheffield Park, with the low December sun also illuminating the trees. 01.12.2007. Unfortunately I got soaked by the heavy shower that caused the rainbow - you can't win them all!
Ketches Bridge used to stand between the Advance Starting signal and Ketches Halt, but was blown up (demolished) many years ago. The route of an old permissive path can still be seen either side of the site, although the path is now abandoned and becoming somewhat overgrown. 9017 passes the hump in the embankment marking the site of the bridge. 25.03.2007
On the west side of the line passengers can watch out for the pronounced hump that marks the site of the bridge. 25.03.2007
On the eastern side of the line there is also a mound in the embankment, and a small part of the bridge brickwork remains to mark the spot. 25.03.2007
Although now closed, Ketches Halt is situated just north of Sheffield Park. The halt was used to give access to the adjacent Ketches Farm and is well known for the display of bluebells. 08.05.2007
Another shot of Ketches Halt, looking north at the height of the Bluebell season. 26.04.2009
A slightly wider shot of the old halt, including the Sheffield Park Outer Home signal. 08.05.2007
Another wider shot of Ketches Halt including the southbound Outer Home signal for Sheffield Park. 26.04.2009
592 hauls a service train south through Ketches Halt during bluebell season. 26.04.2009
The woods adjacent to Ketches Halt have an excellent bluebells almost every year. 26.04.2009
The woods adjacent to Ketches Halt have an excellent bluebells almost every year. 26.04.2009
Bluebells in the woods at Ketches Halt 06.05.2017 17115
Bluebells at Ketches Halt 06.05.2017 17126
A view, taken in 2006, of Ketches Halt looking north. In the distance the track curves to the left at the start of Freshfield Bank. 04.06.2006
The Sheffield Park Outer Home Signal is at the southern end of Ketches Halt, and in the distance the Sheffield Park Advance Starter can be seen. 04.06.2006
A clearer view of the Sheffield Park Outer Home signal taken from the end of the platform at Ketches Halt as 65 approaches on 11.06.2006
A footpath used to run south from behind Ketches Halt. The footpath is now abandoned, but this view looks out from the path towards Sheffield Park Outer Home signal as 9017 passes on 25.03.2007
Ketches Halt looking south. In the far distance the tall pole of the Sheffield Park Advance Starter can just be seen. 04.06.2006
A wider view of Ketches Halt, looking south, on 02.04.2007
One of many lineside huts is sited at Ketches Halt, but this one has a unique drunken chimney. The bricklayer had clearly had a few when he built it! 02.04.2007
In 2009 it was suggested that Ketches Halt might be dismantled and a number of pictures of the location were therefore taken. 592 passes with a northbound service train. 26.04.2009. In the event the structure remained in situ.
80151 passes Ketches Halt with a southbound Golden Arrow Pullman. 26.04.2009
A view looking up Freshfield Bank from Ketches Halt towards the Distant signal. The lens makes the distance appear shorter. Just before the fogman's hut Palmer's Cattle Creep passes under the line. The fogman's hut marks the original position of the Distant signal. In the far distance is Town Place Bridge. 04.06.2006
A second view north up Freshfield Bank, taken with a different lens, gives a better impression of distance than the previous shot. 14.07.2007
The first bridge up Freshfield Bank is Palmers Cattle Creep, a simple bridge of brick abutments crossed by iron girders, on which sits a timber base for the line. This view looks east. 23.09.2007
A second view of Palmers Cattle Creep, looking west. The odd shape to the fencing on the bridge arises from temporary fencing around a hole in the bridge. 23.09.2007
The underside of Palmers Cattle Creep. At first sight this looks a bit draughty, but the eastern end of the bridge has never carried any load, the track in this area being a single line since construction in 1881. Careful viewing of the picture shows the iron girders supporting the track to be totally intact, with a solid base. Nearest the camera, where there is no load, there is a wooden cross beam rather than iron, and the planking has seen better days. 23.09.2007
Having walked part of the way up Freshfield Bank, this view looks back south towards the Fogman's Hut, which marks the original position of the Sheffield Park Distant signal. 32473 approaches with a Grandparent's Special. Anyone for a cream tea? 23.09.2007
The Sheffield Park Outer Home signal is situated around the bend at the bottom of Freshfield Bank. A Distant signal sited on the bank gives drivers early warning of the possible need to stop. The signal is shown in the Off position on 11.03.2007
A close up of the arm of the Sheffield Park Distant signal. 11.03.2007
This shot looks south down Freshfield Bank from a point adjacent to the Distant signal. In the far distance Fenchurch disappears around the bend towards Ketches Halt with the Victorian coaches. 01.07.2007
Turning round, this view looks north, and catches the Distant signal mid-way between the Off and the On position. Before anyone praises the photographic skill it was pure fluke. I happened to release the shutter just as the signal changed. A short distance away the parapets of Oakham Bridge can be seen. 01.07.2007
The second bridge when travelling north up Freshfield Bank is Oakham Bridge, which allows an unmade track to pass under the line. This view looks west on 11.03.2007
Oakham Bridge looking east. Much unseen effort goes into maintaining structures on the line, and repairs were in progress when this picture was taken on 11.03.2007