Sheffield Park 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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The eastern side of the completed carriage shed structure, looking south from the River Ouse bridge. 18.01.2011 5623
A similar view of the finished carriage shed, looking south, with the land on the right being prepared for landscaping. 06.02.2011 5837
The reverse of the previous view, looking north from the northern end of Platform 2. The old pump house building has survived, but the land drain that used to run down to the river has vanished, being replaced by underground drains. 06.02.2011 5812
Later in the month tree planting had started in the area. 12.02.2011 5868
The reverse of the previous view, looking north, showing trees that were planted for landscaping and to replace trees removed during the works. 09.03.2011 6171
The same area, but this time viewed from the corner of the carriage shed looking south towards Sheffield Park station.17.03.2011 6461
Only a few months later, but the land has been properly shaped, top soil has been added and the area is showing the first signs of green shoots. 21.05.2011 7120
Sheffield Park. 08.05.2007
Returning now to the completely changed Platform 2, this is the former Isfield building being refurbished and turned into the Bulleid shop. 03.02.2011 5738
Work continuing in March 2011, Nearest the camera the Bulleid Shop is nearing external completion. 17.03.2011 6471
Inside the Bulleid Shop after it opened. 10.12.2011 3342
Inside the Bulleid Shop after it opened. 10.12.2011 3343
The new buildings on Platform 2, looking north. Nearest to the camera is a plant room and the lavatories. Under the canopy and beyond is the museum. In the background is the carriage shed. 28.04.2011 6915
Nothing escaped the phantom photographer. This is only a very small part of the complex plant room, photographed before it was commissioned. If you warm, pump or flush something on Platform 2, it's probably controlled from here. 24.02.2011 5944
A closer view of the canopy and museum building on Platform 2, looking north. At the time some columns were still to be painted. 09.03.2011 6184
The new canopy at the southern end of Platform 2, attached to the original preserved section. The nearest chimney is a modern copy of the original behind it. The carriage shed roof can be seen in the background; the raised "studs" coming out of the roof are supports for a safety line, allowing anyone working on the roof to "clip on" in safety. 09.03.2011 6174
The completed buildings on Platform 2, looking south. 09.03.2011 6178
The museum building on Platform 2, looking south. 17.03.2011 6480
Transforming a blank space into the Bluebell Railway Museum. 24.02.2011 5952
Transforming a blank space into the Bluebell Railway Museum. 24.02.2011 5962
Transforming a blank space into the Bluebell Railway Museum. 24.02.2011 5958
The museum was formally opened by Lord Faulkner of Worcester, President of the Heritage Railway Association, on 23.06.2011 1844. Images of the event are in a separate gallery.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester, President of the Heritage Railway Association, with the late Bernard Holden MBE, latterly President of the Bluebell Railway Preservation Society, and Sam Bee, latterly Vice Chairman, BRPS, at the official opening of the Bluebell Railway Museum. 23.06.2011 1850
Inside the Bluebell Railway Museum on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park. 23.06.2011 1859
Inside the Bluebell Railway Museum on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park. 23.06.2011 1862
"London Jack" inside the Bluebell Railway Museum on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park. 23.06.2011 1858
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO visited the Bluebell Railway Museum on 10.10.2013 8274. Images of the visit are in a separate gallery.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO unveiled a plaque in the museum marking the official opening of the final stage of the Bluebell Railway Northern Extension Project to East Grinstead. 10.10.2013 8290
Sheffield Park. 05.04.2014 10280
At the northern end of the museum building the old Withyham Signal box has been preserved. 34059 stands alongside the site shortly after the building was dropped on to it's new foundations. 15.12.2010 5454
Whilst photographing the construction works, the roof also provided a unique viewpoint to capture the departure of 34059 with the Pullman. 15.12.2010 5485
Whilst photographing the construction works, the roof also provided a unique viewpoint to capture the departure of 34059 with the Pullman. 15.12.2010 5486
Whilst photographing the construction works, the roof also provided a unique viewpoint to capture the departure of 34059 with the Pullman. 15.12.2010 5492
The Withyham signal box settled on it's new brick foundation and awaiting restoration. 12.02.2011 5862
It's just over three months later and the Withyham signal box has been transformed externally following repairs to it's woodwork, a new roof and several coats of paint. On the right of the picture is an annex to the carriage shed called the "Pullman Room" from which the Pullman cars are serviced whilst stored in C road of the shed. 01.06.2011 7377
Part of the inside of the "Pullman Room" before commissioning. It is from here that supplies and crockery are loaded on to the Pullman coaches before they go into service. 25.03.2011 6531
In 2018 a signal, operated by a lever inside the box, was installed for use by visitors. It was turned sideways, allegedly because it could otherwise have been mistaken for an operational signal. However, much of the effect of watching the signal drop is thereby lost. Having regard to the fact that drivers spend many years qualifying and learning the road it seems odd to think that they might mistake this signal for a real one, especially having regard to it's position offset from the line. Modern decisions are often hard to understand. 18.05.2018 18336
The interior of Withyham Signal Box. One of the levers now operates the signal outside. 16.06.2012 5029
The interior of Withyham Signal Box. One of the levers now operates the signal outside. 16.06.2012 5030
The interior of Withyham Signal Box. One of the levers now operates the signal outside. 26.08.2013 9700
Although this is an old picture dating from 2008, it still illustrates what continues to happen at the northern end of Platform 2. In winter the water column is prevented from freezing by a brazier. 07.12.2008
A view of the water column on Platform 2 at Sheffield Park, taken at dusk in 2007, before the construction of the carriage shed. 03.02.2007
Returning now to the southern end of Platform 2, on 21.05.2011 the construction of the first set of points leading to the carriage shed started. 7132
In June 2011 new points and the connection to the carriage shed were being installed. 01.06.2011 1742
In July 2011 this is the view across the new ballast of the dock points south towards the water tower. 24.07.2011 2369
By August 2011 new track had been laid in the western dock and on the approach to the carriage shed. 13.08.2011 2462
Looking north from the dock points along the new track leading towards the carriage shed. 29.08.2011 2772
Six months later many of the "finishing touches" were completed. Looking north there is a new board crossing and a staff footpath on the left. 19.02.2012 3612