Hever Station

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.Text.

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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
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
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
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 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
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
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
A closer view of Thumper 205025 at Hever. 18.09.2003
Thumper 205025 departs north from Hever en route to Edenbridge Town and Oxted. 18.09.2003
By 2005 the Thumpers had given way to the modern Class 171 units, and through trains to London were restored in a new timetable. Unit 171804 waits to depart on a southbound journey to Uckfield. 14.08.2005
The rear of the privately occupied Hever station building, looking south from the northbound platform. If you need to wait for a train at Hever you only have the benefit of a small shelter akin to a bus stop. However the station is not exactly busy. 14.08.2005
A view south from Hever taken from the station footbridge before the lamps and shelters were repainted. 18.09.2003
The rear of the Hever station building looking north from the northbound platform. 27.09.1998
Approximately the same view of the Hever station building taken five years later. 18.09.2003
Hever station looking north from the southbound platform. 27.09.1998
South of Hever the line has been reduced to single track. Signal OD55 and the TPWS magnets protecting the single line section are shown, together with the special blue SPAD signal beyond the main signal. If the signal is passed at danger the train should be brought to a halt, but the SPAD signal also shows a steady red signal with two flashing red signals above and below the steady red as an additional warning. SPAD stands for Signal Passed At Danger. This signal was CORRECTLY passed at green by the driver of one of the two trains involved in the fatal Cowden rail accident. At the time there was no subsequent means of warning the train of another service coming the other way. 18.09.2003
Looking north back towards Hever station from the bridge seen in the distance in the previous photograph. 18.09.2003
Looking south from the same bridge the points can be seen where the line changes to single track. 18.09.2003