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 north into the woodland north of the south end of West Hoathly Tunnel. Although it is quite difficult to see in the picture there is a fence running along the line of the first group of substantial trees which marks the boundary of railway land. The area beyond is private and there is no access or egress here. 06.04.2012 4336
On the eastern side of the south end of West Hoathly Tunnel a stream flows down to the line, forming what is effectively the eastern boundary of railway land. The stream drains at least part of the land above the tunnel and eventually flows under the line and through the railway drainage system (previously pictured). In some seasons the stream contains a reasonable flow of water and the area can become quite boggy, providing a natural barrier to access. The railway would be off to the left of the picture, but it is in the tunnel by this point. 06.04.2012 4334
Another rather more spectacular plume of smoke and steam (caused by 73082 Camelot) emerges from the north end of West Hoathly Tunnel. These steam effects can vary significantly by weather and wind direction. In some cases the tunnel ventilates itself simply via the central vertical shafts. 251015 12350
Taken with a long lens, it is just possible to see through West Hoathly tunnel from the northern portal. (Is this the light at the end of the tunnel....?). Unlike the stations, which carry the date of 1882, the portal of the tunnel shows 1881, proving that tunnels were often started first to provide spoil for elsewhere on the line. 01.09.2006 (My long lenses give a false impression of position; I was not near the tunnel).
In August 2007 work was taking place at West Hoathly to remove trees from land adjacent to the tunnel. This shot catches the work in progress, with the eastern embankment cleared, but the western embankment still overgrown. A new Whistle sign has appeared since the previous pictures were taken. 27.08.2007
This old view shows the West Hoathly station site looking north on 20.09.1998. The site beyond the platforms was subsequently used to store ballast and sleepers for the East Grinstead extension. The trees on the right were later cut back, and at one time (in the early years of the extension to Kingscote) there was a run-round loop here.
This view looks north from West Hoathly. On the left of the picture is a pile of ballast, and on the right the slightly rising ground adjacent to the track marks the site of the old brickworks siding (the brickworks is behind the trees). The unusual trees on the right feature in old historic photos of West Hoathly, but there was a goods yard here in those days. 27.08.2007
On the east side of the line, north of West Hoathly station, there was originally a siding serving the adjacent brickworks. Changes to land levels in the area have removed virtually all trace of the facilities but in 2016 lineside clearance revealed the original gate to the quarry. A huge pile of earth behind the gate (to raise the road level in the quarry) has buried the quarry entrance behind the gate. 16.04.2016 14782