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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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
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
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.
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