Horsted Keynes to Kingscote
There are five collections covering the operational part of the line: (a) Sheffield Park Station; (b) the line from Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes; (c) Horsted Keynes Station; (d) the line from Horsted Keynes to Kingscote and (e) Kingscote Station.
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).
Photos relating to the Bluebell Railway's Northern Extension to East Grinstead are in several separate collections within the Photographic Tours index.
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Looking south over New Coombe Bridge, the residential development in the vicinity of the West Hoathly station site can be seen on the hillside. 27.08.2007
North of New Coombe Bridge a farm track runs on the west side of the line, towards Dean's Crossing. The adjacent farmland is private and out of bounds for lineside photography. 27.08.2007
This view looks south from Dean's Crossing, back towards New Coombe Bridge, with the farm track on the right of the picture. 27.08.2007
Dean's Crossing allows access across the railway between farmland. This view looks east. The adjacent fields are private. 27.08.2007
In 2008 the signs at Dean's Crossing were updated to comply with legislation. 24.02.2008
Ten years later in 2017 the view at Dean's Crossing is almost completely unchanged but the telephone and the fence have been renewed. 06.08.2017 17597
Looking north from Dean's Crossing towards Kingscote. 27.08.2007
A second view north from Dean's Crossing. 27.08.2007
Dean's Crossing viewed ten years later, just after the lineside clearance team had done a massive amount of work north of the crossing, rectifying an area that had become rather overgrown. 06.08.2017 17598
Looking north from Dean's Crossing just after the lineside clearance team had restored both embankments to immaculate condition. 06.08.2017 17602
Twelve years earlier than the previous photograph the area north of Dean's Crossing is shown in an overgrown condition. This cutting can be rather muddy in the winter and the damp conditions seem to cause very rapid regrowth. Indeed in 2017 by the time the lineside clearance team had reached the far end of the rather long cutting there was already substantial growth where they had started. It is rather like "painting the Forth Bridge". This view looks north towards the northbound Kingscote Distant signal. 27.10.2005
Evidence of the rather damp conditions in this area is provided by a large crop of fungi. 06.08.2017 17583
Telegraph poles originally stretched along the line (as they did throughout the country) but were demolished when the line closed. For an unexplained reason one survived on the embankment north of Dean's Crossing and now stands as a relic of past times. 03.05.2007
In 2017 the telegraph pole north of Dean's Crossing was still standing. It can be a challenge to try to spot it from the train. 06.08.2017 15871
Closer inspection of that area of the embankment after the lineside clearance team had been through revealed the stump of a pole which had been cut down (the normal fate). If you look closely you can almost see a face (it's not a photographic trick). 06.08.2017 17596
A camp site on the eastern side of the line. 11.06.2017 15550
On entering the control of Kingscote signal box northbound trains encounter a Distant signal that was fixed at Caution in 2007. It is seen here as Fenchurch and Stepney pass with a southbound goods train. 14.04.2007
A second view of the Kingscote northbound fixed Distant signal. 17.04.2006
The Kingscote Up Distant signal was subsequently converted to an operational signal and is seen here in the "Off" position. 09.06.2013 8920
At the northern end of the cutting is a disused farm crossing. This old gate is on the eastern side of the track. The land adjacent to the railway is private. 06.02.2010
On the western side of the line a drainage ditch has been dug, but a section of fence the size of a gate clearly marks the site of the old railway crossing. Beyond is the site of the former W E Th. Ingwersen Ltd, Birch Farm Nursery, Gravetye, whose speciality was a very wide range of hardy plants but particularly alpines. The nursery at Birch Farm has now closed, but a nearby railway crossing still bears the name of the farm. Subsequently the large house on the site has become a private residence. 06.02.2010
Emerging from the cutting the line heads for Birch Farm foot crossing. This view looks back south towards the northern end of the cutting. The former Ingwersen's nursery is on the right, out of shot. 09.04.2007
Near Birch Farm foot crossing are some unusual conifer trees. Many years ago a local landowner planted a variety of alpine trees adjacent to the railway, and some of these trees have since grown very large. 17.04.2006
A study of some of the very tall alpine trees in this area. 06.02.2010
The moon sometimes shines during the day, and is caught here appearing over one of the large alpine trees near the former Ingwersen's nursery. 09.03.2014 10022
A public footpath crosses the line at Birch Farm foot crossing, seen here as 672 Fenchurch passes with the Metropolitan coaches on 21.01.2007. This foot crossing is approached by a very steep climb on both sides of the track, and walkers have a dangerous tendency to sit on the crossing after climbing the slope. I observed a near miss here when teenage walkers failed to control a loose dog. Please remember that trains cannot stop quickly and use foot crossings safely.
The eastern steps leading on to Birch Farm foot crossing. 18.10.2008
The steep slope up to the eastern side of Birch Farm foot crossing. 18.10.2008
The western steps leading on to Birch Farm foot crossing. 18.10.2008
The steep slope up to the western side of Birch Farm foot crossing. 18.10.2008
The eastern slope at Birch Farm Crossing is still just as steep, but in 2017 the Friends of Kingscote decided that it was time for a new handrail. 11.06.2017 17350
Birch Farm Crossing is normally the southern boundary of the area maintained by the Friends of Kingscote, and in addition to fitting new handrails and fencing the team did some major works clearing the embankment. This view, taken on the eastern side, looks south. 11.06.2017 17347
The reverse of the previous view, looking north from Birch Farm Crossing towards Birchstone Bridge. It can be seen that the team had cleared a massive area of the eastern embankment. 11.06.2017 17346
In addition to erecting new fencing the Friends of Kingscote also provided new stiles on both sides of the line at Birch Farm Crossing, where a public footpath enters railway land. This is the eastern side. 11.06.2017 17348
On the eastern side of the line the public footpath at Birch Farm Crossing is known as the High Weald Landscape Trail. 11.06.2017 17349
New anti-trespass guards fitted at the top of the eastern slope to Birch Farm Crossing. 11.06.2017 17351
The Friends of Kingscote also renewed fencing at the top of the western access to Birch Farm Crossing. 11.06.2017 17354
In addition to erecting new fencing the Friends of Kingscote also provided new stiles on both sides of the line at Birch Farm Crossing, where a public footpath enters railway land. This is the western side. 11.06.2017 17352
On the western side of the line the public footpath at Birch Farm Crossing is known as the High Weald Circular Walk. It is not known why the public footpath changes name as it crosses the railway. 11.06.2017 17353
An earlier view of lineside clearance taken in 2013 near Birch Farm Crossing. It can be seen that the embankment is very high and steep, making the job quite challenging. 09.06.2013 8915
This area of the lineside is maintained by the Friends of Kingscote, and they make a very fine job of it. This view looks north towards Birchstone Bridge just after the embankments had been cleared in 2010. 11.04.2010
There is normally a fine display of bluebells near Birchstone Bridge. 14.05.2017 15259
The bluebells at Birchstone Bridge are much appreciated by the bumble bees. 14.05.2017 15261
A view north from Birch Farm foot crossing towards Kingscote, with Birchstone Bridge in the foreground. 09.04.2007
Birchstone Bridge is also a good place to see wild flowers. 27.05.2017 15483
Birchstone Bridge is not currently being used as an agricultural crossing and the permissive footpath that used to run across it has been closed. Accordingly it is now only possible to access it from the lineside. Nonetheless the Friends of Kingscote have renewed the fencing on the top of the bridge. 11.06.2017 17337
Birchstone Bridge is not currently being used as an agricultural crossing and the permissive footpath that used to run across it has been closed. Accordingly it is now only possible to access it from the lineside. Nonetheless the Friends of Kingscote have renewed the fencing on the top of the bridge. 11.06.2017 17338
Looking east across the disused Birchstone Bridge with the new fencing on the left and right. As the bridge is disused it can become very overgrown in the summer. 11.06.2017 17339