Bluebell Railway Northern Extension - Hill Place Viaduct (sometimes known as Imberhorne Viaduct)

The Bluebell Railway's Northern Extension is covered by several galleries.

Separate collections cover (a) Track improvements north of Kingscote; (b) Vowels Lane Bridge to Imberhorne Lane Bridge; (c) Imberhone Tip; (d) Hill Place Farm Bridge to Hill Place Viaduct; (e)Hill Place Viaduct (sometimes called Imberhorne Viaduct); and (f) the Bluebell Railway's East Grinstead Station.

Please note that the vast majority of these 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.

The whole area of the extension is OUT OF BOUNDS to holders of a photographic PTS. I have authority from the Bluebell Railway to display this collection.

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The public face of Hill Place (Imberhorne) Viaduct, looking east along Garden Wood Road. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The commemorative plaque marking the transfer of Hill Place Viaduct to Bluebell Railway ownership on 8 September 1992. 17.01.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Hill Place Viaduct can be seen from many parts of East Grinstead, here commanding the horizon above the houses. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The eastern face of Hill Place Viaduct comes into view. Taken (with permission) looking west from private property. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
I am grateful to John Attfield for allowing me to use this image in the gallery. Hill Place Viaduct is pictured, looking west, on 17 July 1966. Until I saw this image I was not aware that BR had sited a southbound Advance Starting signal on the viaduct. At the time double track was laid across the viaduct. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
In this view, looking west, the new security fencing can just be seen on the extreme left of the picture. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Towards the centre of the valley the ground drops steeply away in a wooded copse. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Changing angle, the northern end of the viaduct can be seen joining the steep hill on the north side of the valley, prior to entering East Grinstead station. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Hill Place Viaduct is a massive structure, brought out by this close-up, which shows some of the exterior repointing. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
In this view looking down into the base of the valley, Garden Wood Road can just be seen running through a distant arch. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Pulling back, this view shows the sweep of trees that have grown up on the eastern side. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The majority of the trees are in the base of the valley and border a stream which flows under the tallest arches. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
This appears just to be a wooded hollow, but the clue is in the foreground as water runs away from one of the natural springs on the valley side. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Swinging round 90 degrees towards the viaduct the flow of water from the spring runs down into the valley. These springs make the ground under the highest part of the viaduct very marshy. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
This view looks towards the taller arches, under which a rather small stream flows, mainly concealed by shrubs. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Garden Wood Road passes through the arch to the north of the stream, an adjacent three storey house giving an impression of scale. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Three of the massive central spans. Security fencing at the base of an arch can just be seen. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
In the right foreground is another of the natural springs which cover this area. The ground is very soft and marshy at this point. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A slightly different view with the spring now in the central foreground. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A close-up of the natural spring, this time in the form of a pool near the base of the viaduct, which overflows down into the valley. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking up at the viaduct from the bottom of one of the tallest arches really brings home the scale of the structure. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The viaduct changes colour as the sun moves round, creating some interesting contrasts. This view looks up and south. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
An early picture of the surface of Hill Place Viaduct, taken whilst some initial repointing of the brickwork was in progress. 27.03.2007
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
In January 2009, before work started on the surface of the viaduct, there was an Open Day at East Grinstead. Having passed through the security gates this shot looks north across Hill Place Viaduct. 17.01.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north across Hill Place Viaduct with a longer lens. 17.01.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from the northern end of Hill Place Viaduct during the East Grinstead Open Day. 17.01.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from the northern end of Hill Place Viaduct with a longer lens. In the foreground a depression marks an area where the surface ballast has been removed, exposing the foundation of the parapet and the top surface of the viaduct. 17.01.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
In October 2009 this is Hill Place Viaduct looking north from the southern end. On the left ballast has just been laid on the future track bed, which will be towards the western side of the viaduct. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Hill Place Viaduct looking south along the newly laid ballast. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The ballast has not yet been laid right across the viaduct, and this shot shows the sand laid underneath the ballast. A waterproof membrane goes on top of the sand, causing water to drain into the adjacent pipes. The boundary of the current layer of ballast can be seen in the distance. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north along the flat layer of sand towards the northern end of Hill Place Viaduct. On the right of the picture are pipes which will collect water. This will, in turn, be stored for use in the engines. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south across Hill Place Viaduct. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from the northern end of Hill Place Viaduct. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from the northern end of Hill Place Viaduct. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
The entrance to one of the huge voids in the viaduct pillars which were part of the original drainage system. It is a great shame that these unique pieces of industrial heritage have to be sealed as part of the works. 10.10.2009
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north from the southern end of the viaduct in April 2010. Sleepers are laid, but rails have not quite reached the southern end of the viaduct. 17.04.2010 2020
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north across the viaduct to the point at which rails have been laid. A huge amount of work went into the preparation of the viaduct surface before track could be laid on the top. 17.04.2010 2022
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north across Hill Place Viaduct with the track in place. 26.06.2010 2964
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking north across Hill Place Viaduct with a longer lens. East Grinstead can be seen in the distance. 26.06.2010 2966
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
4-VEP 3417 travelling south on Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 04.09.2010 4462
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
4-VEP 3417 travelling south on Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 04.09.2010 4393
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
4-VEP 3417 travelling south on Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 04.09.2010 4455
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of four images showing Class 73 Electro Diesel Kirsten hauling 4-VEP 3417 northbound across Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 10.04.2011 0500
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of four images showing Class 73 Electro Diesel Kirsten hauling 4-VEP 3417 northbound across Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 10.04.2011 0503
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of four images showing Class 73 Electro Diesel Kirsten hauling 4-VEP 3417 northbound across Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 10.04.2011 0504
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of four images showing Class 73 Electro Diesel Kirsten hauling 4-VEP 3417 northbound across Hill Place Viaduct during an East Grinstead Open Day. 10.04.2011 0505
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of images travelling south over Hill Place Viaduct from East Grinstead Station. 10.04.2011 6806
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep
A succession of images travelling south over Hill Place Viaduct from East Grinstead Station. 10.04.2011 6805
hill place viaduct imberhorne viaduct Bluebell railway extension east grinstead garden wood road bluebell railway northern extension nep