Ardingly to Haywards Heath
The section of the line from Horsted Keynes to the eastern end of Ardingly station is private property owned by the Bluebell Railway.
There is no expectation that the Bluebell Railway will restore the section of the line that they own in the near future, and there is no finance for any significant works.
Separate collections cover (a) Horsted Keynes to the site of Sheriff Mill Viaduct; (b) The site of Sheriff Mill Viaduct to Ardingly Station; (c) Ardingly Station and the Hanson Plant; and (d) Ardingly to Haywards Heath.
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A goods line runs west from the Ardingly Station site. This view looks east towards Ardingly station from Rivers Farm.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The same view as the last picture, but this time with a long lens. The start of the Ardingly sidings and run round loop can be seen in the distance.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The goods line runs away west towards the main line at Copyhold Junction.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Copyhold Junction, looking north, with the goods line from Ardingly on the right.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Copyhold Junction looking north on Sunday 9 August 1970 as 7326 passes with a Down train. The line to Ardingly curves away on the right. Eric Kemp retains all right to this image.
Copyhold Junction looking south on Sunday 9 August 1970 as 2-HAP 6104 passes at the head of an Up train. On the left is the line from Ardingly with a very obvious set of trap points protecting the exit from the branch. The track layout was subsequently changed with the points in the foreground removed and the goods line extended much further south. Eric Kemp retains all right to this image.
A number of accidents have occurred near Haywards Heath. This is Copyhold Junction on Monday 18.12.1972 as breakdown trains cleared the wreckage from a collision that occurred on 16 December 1972 when two northbound Victoria trains came together at the point where the Up Through line and Up Local line merged near Copyhold Bridge. The trains were lightly loaded and although there was extensive damage there were no serious injuries. The incident was caused by the train on the local line passing a red signal. This is the view south. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A number of accidents have occurred near Haywards Heath. This is Copyhold Junction on Monday 18.12.1972 as breakdown trains cleared the wreckage from a collision that occurred on 16 December 1972 when two northbound Victoria trains came together at the point where the Up Through line and Up Local line merged near Copyhold Bridge. The trains were lightly loaded and although there was extensive damage there were no serious injuries. The incident was caused by the train on the local line passing a red signal. This is the view north. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A later track layout at Copyhold Junction, looking south, with the Ardingly goods line continuing south on the left of the picture. 27.03.2007
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Copyhold Junction, looking south with a long lens. The two main signals control the main line, with a permanent yellow colour light for the goods line. The main signal for the goods line is beyond the gantry. 27.03.2007
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking north from Old Wickham Lane bridge, the goods line junction is almost out of sight. 27.03.2007
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The same view north, but with a long lens, showing the junction in more detail. 27.03.2007
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking south towards Haywards Heath from the same viewpoint (Old Wickham Lane bridge). Sidings can be seen on the left in the distance. 27.03.2007
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Haywards Heath yard on 27.09.1971, with heritage rolling stock stored awaiting transfer to the Bluebell Railway. The locomotive is 21C123 Blackmore Vale, in a livery which was fortunately temporary. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Haywards Heath station on 14.06.1981, during upgrading of the colour light signals. These are the Up Starting signals, with a new signal (T340) installed but not yet commissioned. The white oblong with a black bar below the aspects indicates that it is an automatic signal. A tamper stands in the Up siding. Many years before a turntable was sited on the left of the line just beyond the station. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1110 heads a Down train into Haywards Heath on Saturday 28.04.1990. Note that signal T342 showed a permanent red signal, but that departures and shunts to the north were permitted from the Down Slow line via signal T344. Among other things this allowed access to the sidings and for goods train moves towards the Ardingly Branch. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Who remembers these? A GPO trolley at Haywards Heath on 26.04.1990, wearing a very prominent "E:R" logo and the legend "Eastbourne Lewes Mails", for which, presumably, it was waiting. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The last few pictures in the collection show the earthworks of the Ouse Valley Railway, here marked by the line of trees in the distance, running south east from Copyhold Junction. Works were started, but the railway was never built
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The Ouse Valley Railway embankment runs south east (along the line of trees) near Rivers Farm.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The embankment crosses Copyhold Lane south of Rivers Farm. The road levels have changed here (the road went under a bridge) and the car helps with scale
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The edge of the embankment where a road bridge would have been situated.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The Ouse Valley Railway embankment on the south side of Copyhold Lane
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A public footpath leaves Copyhold Lane adjacent to the point where the railway would have crossed the road, but it does not follow the railway embankment south east. The OVR would have crossed the course of the Bluebell Line between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park, en route to Uckfield and beyond. What might have been....
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
