Crowborough Station and Crowborough Tunnel
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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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
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
This older picture shows the station in 1998. A goods yard and cattle pens were originally behind the wooden fence on the left. On the right there appears to be the remains of a bay platform but actually two goods sidings were sited there. The nearest siding curved past the brick shelter in the distance and terminated beyond the footbridge at the end of the platform. 19.09.1998
Looking over the fence on the southbound platform, it can be seen that at least one of the two sidings is still in situ although the growth of the trees shows how long it has been disused. The track is positioned some distance from the platform edge, showing that this was never intended as a passenger facility. 07.12.2005
In 1998 Thumper 205001 runs into Crowborough station en route to Oxted. This unit was one of the four units involved in the Cowden rail accident. It was the rear three coaches of the six car Up train, and sustained no significant damage in the collision. At the end of the platform the fixed danger signal can be seen which allows trains to run south into the northbound platform and terminate if required. 19.09.1998
Looking south from Crowborough station with a long lens. The trees on the right of the picture mark the position of Crowborough Brick Works. The siding running towards the left bottom of the picture leads to the sidings on the east side of the platforms (disused) and another siding sweeps away south towards the goods shed (see next picture). The points nearest the camera directed wagons left into a very large coal yard. 10.04.2008