The Branch Line to Ardingly
Near the start of the collection are pictures of bridge sections delivered in October 2013 with a view to spanning the gap west of Horsted Keynes. There are also some views (taken in 2009) of the operational Ardingly siding at Horsted Keynes, together with some shots of the Carriage and Wagon Works and the area known as the triangle, which contains inert spoil from Imberhorne Lane.
This area is private Bluebell property; pictures exhibited with permission. The Ardingly branch is out of bounds to holders of a photographic PTS.
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Having walked only a short distance this view looks east back through the copse. You can still just see the red colour of a coach in the sidings.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking west from the same spot it can be seen that significant effort has been made to clear the trackbed as it extends west towards Ardingly.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The access from the road passes directly across the trackbed and enters private land to the south of the line through this gate. This would be a farm crossing if the line were in use.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view looks back east from the farm crossing towards the copse at the end of the embankment.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The next point of reference is a house on the northern side of the cutting, this view looking west past the house.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A small amount of material appears to have been deposited in the cutting at this point, although there is still a wide track. Unfortunately the drainage in this area is no longer functioning and there are deep pools of water extending the width of the cutting. It is not possible to pass through this area in ordinary footware as the mud and water is too deep.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view looks east from just beyond the house. A pile of waste material is on the left. This picture gives a slightly false impression; the surface is more wet than it appears.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A short distance west of the house a farm access is on the north side.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
From the farm crossing in the previous two pictures, this view looks east, back down the trackbed towards the house.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view looks west from the farm access. The track is emerging on to an embankment at this point, and the surface is therefore much drier than in the shallow cutting.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A short distance further west power lines run into the trackbed from the north (at the top of the picture).
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The power lines turn west on entering the trackbed and follow the route of the track. This view looks west. It can been seen that the route remains fairly clear.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
After another short distance the trackbed crosses an accommodation bridge (cattle creep), this view looking west at the south parapet.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view also shows the south parapet, in this case looking east towards one of the power line poles that also cross the bridge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A final shot of the northern parapet, looking east.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking down through the hedge it can be seen that the outer walls of the arch appear in good condition.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The bridge leads to a gate, but the undergrowth suggests that it may be used only infrequently (there is a clear narrow track under the bridge).
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The power lines follow the trackbed for some distance, this view looking back east from a position west of the accommodation bridge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This is the point where the power lines turn south west. An old trackside hut is on the left and Lywood Tunnel can just be seen in the distance. At one time a distant signal stood on the right (for eastbound trains) but the signal site is now hidden by undergrowth.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This is the view looking back east from the point where the power lines leave the trackbed.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The power lines disappear up this track or gulley, which enters the trackbed from the south west. Water (of unknown origin) cascades down this track in wet conditions, and has eroded a clear watercourse. See next picture.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The problem with water entering the trackbed may date back to the time when the line was open. A board has been inserted into the watercourse to divert the water (see next picture) although the flow has since found it's way around the end nearest to the camera.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
It can be seen that at one time the flow of water was successfully diverted into this trackside drain, one of the few remaining railway relics found.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This lineside hut was overgrown, but in surprisingly good condition, perhaps due to it's remote location.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view west from the point at which the power lines leave the trackbed shows Lywood Tunnel in the distance
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Lywood Tunnel looking west towards the eastern portal from just inside the cutting.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking back east from the same point. The ground here is soft but not waterlogged, suggesting that despite the undergrowth the cutting still has a limited amount of operational drainage.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A bit closer to the tunnel the ground again becomes wet. Buildings can be seen above the portal.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Taken from the same point, but with a longer lens, this picture shows the eastern portal. The tunnel appears generally in good condition. Please note that the tunnel is not owned by the Bluebell Railway and is private property. It is strictly OUT OF BOUNDS.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Turning round, this view looks east along the cutting leading to the eastern portal of the tunnel.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Taken with a long lens from outside the tunnel, this view looks west through the tunnel from the eastern portal. The pools of water glistening at the far end are from a broken drain on the tunnel wall, and the flow of water is causing considerable problems at the western end (see later).
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view looks east from outside the eastern portal of the tunnel
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The western portal of Lywood Tunnel, looking east. The ground here is waterlogged, although it does not show up in the picture. The tunnel is not owned by the Bluebell Railway and is OUT OF BOUNDS.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking west from the tunnel portal. This area is totally impassable, consisting of a deep watery muddy slime topped with a crust of reeds or grass. The drainage in this cutting has totally failed and there is no outlet for the water until beyond an accomodation bridge further west, which forms a partial dam. Water is draining into this area from the tunnel, but not clearing effectively.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The western portal, looking across to the south. Please bear in mind that I use long lenses - I was not near the edge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The western portal of the tunnel looking north, also taken with a long lens. Although it appears firm in the picture, the trackbed coming out of the tunnel is extensively waterlogged as a consequence of a broken drain on the wall inside the tunnel, which is discharging water across the trackbed and into the cutting.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
West of the tunnel an accommodation bridge serves Great Lywood Farm. This area is flooded with a deep wet sludge (and is impassable) as a consequence of the failure of the water to drain through the cutting to beyond the accommodation bridge. There are also some land drains on the south side, which also discharge water into the cutting east of the bridge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Looking east towards the Great Lywood Farm accommodation bridge, with Lywood Tunnel in the distance (hidden by undergrowth). This area is wet and overgrown as a consequence of the poor drainage.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
West of the Great Lywood Farm accommodation bridge the trackbed is covered by established trees, but from this point there is an obviously well used track through the area. This view looks east along the track with the accommodation bridge just out of sight in the distant bushes.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
This view looks west from the same point, with the track winding through the trees towards Ardingly.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The track continues to wind through the trees on the top of an emabankment, and this view looks east along the track in the direction of Lywood Tunnel.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
A view looking west towards Ardingly Station taken from the same position.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Continuing west the narrow track ends at a gap in the embankment caused by the removal of an accommodation bridge. The path descends down the northern side of the embankment at this point and joins a public footpath (see later photograph). A fence can be seen on the opposite side of the bridge to protect the gap.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Turning round and looking east from the missing accommodation bridge the unofficial track can be seen leading away towards Lywood Tunnel. It appeared to be well used - there were many footprints in the mud.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
The unofficial path can be seen descending the side of the embankment on the left of this picture of the former Hillhouse Farm accommodation bridge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Hillhouse Farm accommodation bridge looking south. A track used to pass under this bridge and run south to the farm, but the way is now blocked on the south side of the bridge.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
Hillhouse Farm accommodation bridge looking north through the gap. As the track this bridge served is now disused the bridge could perhaps be infilled.
bluebell railwayardinglylywood tunnelcopyhold junctionhorsted keynesardingly station
