Kingscote Station
There are four collections covering the stations: (a) Sheffield Park Station; (b) Horsted Keynes Station; (c) Kingscote Station; and (d) Bluebell Railway's East Grinstead Station (including the construction).
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).
Two collections show lineside views: (a) the line from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes; and (b) the line from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote.
Five galleries show the construction of the Northern Extension to East Grinstead: (a) Track improvements north of Kingscote; (b) Vowels Lane Bridge to Imberhorne Lane Bridge; (c) Imberhone Lane Tip; (d) Hill Place Farm Bridge to Hill Place Viaduct; and (e) Hill Place Viaduct (sometimes called Imberhorne Viaduct).
Please note that the vast majority of the Northern Extension pictures were taken on private land with permission. Where necessary lookout protection was provided or a possession was taken. No matter what their status no pedestrian may enter the section of restricted clearance adjacent to Turners Hill Bridge without specific authority and appropriate protection.
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Kingscote Station, on a line built by the contractors J T Firbank on behalf of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) in 1882. This building is almost identical in appearance to the demolished station at West Hoathly. 03.06.2007
Kingscote Station looking north in July 1963, the same year as the tracks were lifted. The station had closed on 29 May 1955. Although trains on the line were reinstated between August 1956 and March 1958 they did not call at Kingscote. Subsequently condemned stock was stored on one of the lines, and there were occasional locomotive movements in connection with this. The former signal box is seen at the north end of the southbound platform, although this was later demolished. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote Station looking south from the southbound platform in July 1963, just before the track was lifted. Wartime black and white stripes remained on the canopy and one of the lamps. The markings were intended to prevent passengers walking into them during the wartime blackout. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote station, looking north, on 17 July 1966 after the removal of the track. At the time the canopies were still intact but the platforms were very overgrown. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote station, looking south on 17 July 1966 after removal of the track. The canopy on the Down (left hand) platform was later demolished and had to be rebuilt when the Bluebell Railway extended their line into the station. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote station, looking south on 17 July 1966 after removal of the track. Today a completely rebuilt (and award winning) signal box stands on the left, and a goods dock and goods yard are on the right. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote station, looking south on 17 July 1966 after removal of the track. Contrast the overgrown platforms with the immaculate station that the Bluebell Railway later created. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The forecourt of Kingscote station pictured on 17 July 1966 when the station was closed. The flower beds are rather overgrown, but Royal Mail still appear to be collecting from the post box. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote Station pictured on Sunday 19.06.1983, when there was a rather brown lawn and an overgrown flower bed in front of the station; a sight that may surprise people who can only remember the station forecourt. At the time the building was privately owned. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The platform side of Kingscote Station on Sunday 19.06.1983, with only the northbound platform intact, but in a rather dilapidated condition. The remainder of the site is overgrown but in the foreground some trees have been cut down. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A closer view of the main building at Kingscote Station on Sunday 19.06.1983, with the area in front of the camera heavily overgrown. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The almost derelict main platform at Kingscote Station on Sunday 19.06.1983, with weeds and trees encroaching into the area. The sign on the platform says "Kingscote Station - Private Residence". Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The front of Kingscote Station in December 1984, although many people might hesitate to call the muddy area a "forecourt". The sign next to the boarded up window says "Kingscote Station House - Sold", the Estate Agents being RH & RW Clutton of East Grinstead. The site had been purchased by the Bluebell Railway, although the sale was only completed in January 1985, a month later. Perhaps the estate agents meant "subject to contract". Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The railway cottages south of Kingscote Station, pictured in December 1984. At the time number 2 was "as built", but number 1 (to the right) had been extended and had received new windows. Subsequent modifications to these cottages are covered later in the gallery. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote Station on Saturday 20.02.1988, and a station forecourt has been re-established. The cars presumably belong to volunteers restoring the station as the railway did not re-open the line to Kingscote until April 1994. The poster on the wall and on the board is indistinct but features a locomotive. Having regard to the date it is possibly 1618. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The platform side of Kingscote Station looking south on Saturday 20.02.1988, and there has been a dramatic improvement. The main platform and station building are now in a generally good state of repair and a neat area of grass awaits the eventual arrival of the track (it would be a further six years before the line reopened to Kingscote). On the left there is virtually nothing remaining of the down platform, but railings can be seen around the stairs to the subway. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The platform side of Kingscote Station looking north on Saturday 20.02.1988. The photographer is standing on the grassed covered remains of the down platform, a running in board has been erected and the ladder suggests that the canopy is under repair. There is a new shed in the station garden. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The forecourt of Kingscote Station, pictured, complete with daffodils, on Monday 20.04.1992. The presence of two scaffolding towers and a ladder suggests that repairs to the building are in progress. A heavy concrete monument, originally used as an aide to aligning the track, marks the boundary of the flower bed, and survived into the 21st century. I have a memory of a signalman inadvertently reversing his car into it (the monument won the argument), but to save the gentleman's blushes he will remain nameless. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
![The entrance to the Booking Hall at Kingscote Station, pictured on Monday 20.04.1992. The sign says "Kingscote Stn. Welcome to Bluebell Railway [sic], We hope you enjoy your visit". There was, of course, no track in the station at the time. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.](https://photos.smugmug.com/BluebellRailway-1/Explore/Kingscote-Station/i-WDws3gL/4/5182773d/XL/Kingscote%20Monday%2020.04.1992%2029%20Nick%20Bailey%20E-XL.jpg)
The entrance to the Booking Hall at Kingscote Station, pictured on Monday 20.04.1992. The sign says "Kingscote Stn. Welcome to Bluebell Railway [sic], We hope you enjoy your visit". There was, of course, no track in the station at the time. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A family photograph taken on Monday 20.04.1992 catches Kingscote Station in Bluebell Railway ownership and under renovation. Little remained of the southbound platform although the rails around the stairs to the subway can just be seen on the extreme right of the picture. A JCB was on site. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A family photograph taken on Monday 20.04.1992 catches Kingscote Station in Bluebell Railway ownership and under renovation. The trackbed was being cleared and work would subsequently start to rebuild the southbound platform. In the background the canopy was being repaired, and the supports for the running in board would eventually receive a new sign. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Kingscote signal box, pictured on Monday 20.04.1992 having suffered the worst subsidence I have ever seen. Or, possibly, the railway had yet to build the brick ground floor. The "top" of the box came from Brighton Upper Goods Yard, and sat on temporary brick stub supports until it was erected at the north end of the station on 30.08.1996. However the "north" box remained out of service for many years and did not become operational until 05.02.2016. In the meantime Kingscote was controlled from a small box to the south of the station. The signal boxes have their own very extensive gallery showing the installation of all the equipment. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
RT604 outside Kingscote during a Steam Through the Ages event. The bus was doing round trips to East Grinstead. 23.09.2017 17923
The entrance to Kingscote Station. There are stones above the left hand window marked LB&SCR (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway) and 1882 respectively. 03.06.2007
In early 2011, the porch and the doors on the ticket hall were repainted. 06.02.2011 5765
A closer look at the freshly painted porch. 06.02.2011 5766
The lamp was also cleaned and polished. 06.02.2011 5767
Kingscote has long had a problem with rainwater running down the adjacent hill and flooding the booking hall, causing much inconvenience and work for staff. In early 2017 new drains were installed which are intended to catch the water and discharge it into an existing land drain to the right of this photograph. 11.06.2017 17358
Kingscote has long had a problem with rainwater running down the adjacent hill and flooding the booking hall, causing much inconvenience and work for staff. In early 2017 new drains were installed which are intended to catch the water and discharge it into an existing land drain. The tarmac leading away from the porch covers the pipe which takes the water away. 11.06.2017 17357
The ground works contractor has an appropriate heritage vehicle (no extra charge). 09.04.2017 17099
In 2017 it was unfortunately necessary to replace the roof of the Gents following the theft of lead. Although the material was recovered following an arrest, it was too badly damaged to be re-used. The current roof has no monetary value. 27.05.2017 15467
Newly erected posters outside Kingscote Station. 16.03.2014 10057
Kingscote Station also retains the Victorian (VR) postbox adjacent to the entrance albeit with only one collection daily (Sundays excepted). You have to be early on a Saturday; the postman is gone by 8.45am. 03.06.2007
The forecourt of Kingscote Station seen from an unusual viewpoint. 24.09.2017 17970
RT604 outside Kingscote during a Steam Through the Ages event. The bus was doing round trips to East Grinstead. 23.09.2017 17845
Before the line between Kingscote and East Grinstead was reopened a bus service was provided regularly. RML2317 was one of the buses used, seen here in green livery (it was subsequently painted red). 20.10.2007
An appeal banner erected outside Kingscote in connection with the East Grinstead extension. Note also the prominent station name board which faces the road. 20.03.2012 3845
Inside the ticket hall which was refurbished in 2011. 06.02.2011 5777
Inside the ticket hall which was refurbished in 2011. 06.02.2011 5781
An earlier image inside the ticket hall on 11.04.2010 1793
Inside the ticket hall on 11.04.2010 1796
Inside the ticket hall on 11.04.2010 1801
Inside the ticket hall on 11.04.2010 1800
The certificate indicating that in 1950 Kingscote achieved Third Place in the Best Kept Stations Competition. 17.04.2016 14882
Kingscote Station Booking Office, complete with nice warm fire. 10.02.2008
Kingscote Station Ticket Office. 03.06.2007
