Horsted Keynes to Kingscote

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

Looking across at the rear of the southern portal of West Hoathly Tunnel from the eastern side of the line. 06.04.2012 4330

The southern portal of West Hoathly Tunnel viewed from the eastern side. Above the tunnel is a large stone engraved "1881" recording the date of construction. 06.04.2012 4329

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

A closer view of the southern portal of West Hoathly Tunnel which, in 2007, has some vegetation growing in the brickwork. Southbound trains emerge from the tunnel going downhill with very little noise or warning and great care needs to be taken in this area. 08.09.2007.

A 2011 view of the south portal of West Hoathly Tunnel, with the undergrowth trimmed back, albeit not to the standard later achieved in 2012. 14.04.2011 0724

The south portal of West Hoathly Tunnel pictured in 2015. The long lens provides a limited view of the north end of the tunnel. 07.03.2015 12024

Reverting back to 2007, Eddystone woz 'ere, en route to Kingscote. A massive amount of smoke issues from the tunnel in an unusual effect caused by the draught and wind direction. The 1881 construction date on the tunnel portal can still just be seen. 08.09.2007.

Smoke continued to issue from the tunnel and the light changed as it rolled towards and totally enveloped the photographer in a fog so thick that the camera refused to function after this picture was taken (the sensors were unable to find a reference point). 08.09.2007

Looking south down the cutting from the tunnel mouth as the fog caused by the smoke clears and the camera functionality returns. The haze in the air can still be seen. 08.09.2007

To prove that not only steam engines generate a "Fug", Deltic fumes issue from the south end of the tunnel in 2015. 19.04.2015 12373 

On the hill above West Hoathly tunnel are the ventilation shafts which help to keep the tunnel clear of steam. Five shafts were originally dug to facilitate the construction of the tunnel and three were later infilled, leaving two to provide the ventilation. 03.05.2008

A closer view of one of the West Hoathly tunnel ventilation shafts. During construction of the tunnel men and materials would have been hoisted and lowered down these shafts in baskets. Such were the facilities in 1881. 03.05.2008

The site of the former West Hoathly station, looking south towards the northern portal of the tunnel. 28.05.2018 16609

This image from 2003 shows steam issuing from the northern end of the tunnel in a similar way to the southern end (previously pictured). The venting of steam does not always occur via the vertical shafts inside the tunnel, and seems to be related to the wind and weather conditions. 25.10.2003

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

The removal of the trees allows this unusual shot of the back of the tunnel mouth, looking north towards Kingscote. The stone block in the centre of the wall is engraved with the date 1881 above the tunnel mouth. 23.09.2007

Taken with a long lens, this shot looks out from above the tunnel towards Kingscote. The foot crossing passes through the remains of the platforms at West Hoathly and in the distance sleepers and ballast for the East Grinstead extension can be seen in the goods yard. 23.09.2007

Looking down from above the north end of West Hoathly tunnel 65 runs south into the tunnel with a service train. 03.02.2007

The pedestrian foot crossing at West Hoathly is provided for the convenience of local residents. This view looks north. 08.06.2008

The foot crossing at West Hoathly is not a public right of way. A self-explanatory notice. 16.03.2014 10038

West Hoathly foot crossing provides good photographic opportunities, and if you get bored waiting for the train you can always read all the signs, which have recently been updated to comply with legislation. This view looks east across the crossing. 08.06.2008

A planning notice at West Hoathly, referring to proposed development. Planning permission for housing on part of the site was subsequently granted. 23.04.2009

The plans for the West Hoathly site were discussed by the Parish Council and subsequently approved. 10.05.2009

The view west across West Hoathly foot crossing on 08.06.2008

One of the old station signs from West Hoathly is preserved in the Bluebell Railway Museum. 23.10.2009

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.

The remains of West Hoathly Goods Yard (on the west side of the line) looking north. 06.08.2017 17604

The former goods dock at West Hoathly in 2017. At the time it was being used for the storage of sleepers, cable troughs and rotten cable drums 27.08.2017 17743

In 2017 quite a number of old concrete cable troughs were stored at West Hoathly, awaiting sorting. It might reasonably be suggested that the pile was somewhat overgrown. 27.08.2017 17744

Sorted concrete cable troughs stored at West Hoathly, after work began to clear the area. 27.08.2017 17741

West Hoathly station was comprehensively demolished when the line closed, but the grass ramps either side of the picture mark the start of the platforms. This view looks south, with the tunnel in the distance. The footpath crosses the line about half way down the platforms. 27.08.2007

In the foreground the site of the old West Hoathly goods yard is either side of the track, with the platforms beyond. In the distance trees have been cleared above the tunnel. 27.08.2007

This shot of West Hoathly goods yard (looking north) has little photographic merit, but it does provide a historic record of the need to store ballast and sleepers here for the East Grinstead extension. 27.08.2007

In 2010 sleepers were disappearing from West Hoathly as materials were transferred to East Grinstead. 13.02.2010

The diminishing sleeper pile at West Hoathly as work progressed on the East Grinstead extension. 24.09.2011 2964

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

A second view of the impressive pile of ballast, this time looking south, as the line curves into the West Hoathly station site. 27.08.2007

There was once a huge pile of ballast at West Hoathly but it had reduced to almost nothing in 2011 as material was moved north for the East Grinstead extension. 24.09.2011 2959

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

Please don't forget to shut the West Hoathly quarry gate. 16.04.2016 14783

North of the West Hoathly station site the line crosses New Coombe Bridge. 32473 heads south across the bridge on a sunny winter day. 21.01.2007

New Coombe Bridge, looking north. 27.08.2007

New Coombe Bridge is a substantial steel structure replacing a bridge demolished when the line was closed. This view looks east. 27.08.2007

Moving the camera angle slightly provides a better view under the bridge. The road enters private land and a security gate controls access. Please note that parking in this area is not permitted. 27.08.2007

The landowner on the east side of the railway values his privacy, and photography from the adjacent farmland is not allowed. This view of New Coombe Bridge, looking west, was legitimately taken from a public footpath which enters the land adjacent to the security gate. 27.08.2007