Bluebell Railway Northern Extension - Vowels Lane Bridge to Imberhorne Lane Bridge

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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An even earlier shot, taken on 09.04.2006, shows the track on the extension still under construction. The white tank says Gas Oil Only, and was presumably for the excavator.
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Adjacent to Imberhorne Lane Bridge there is a small ledge (within security fencing) that is currently used to park contractor's vehicles. 23.04.2009
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
A second view of the small ledge, showing the edge of the contractor's temporary hut. 23.04.2009
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Moving the camera slightly to the right the site of the former western embankment slip can be seen, suitably fenced. A pipe was installed to drain excess water. 23.04.2009. This area was subsequently completely dug out and properly consolidated when the level of the trackbed was raised in 2012.
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
A second view of the slipped western embankment. Compare this shot to the next picture taken two years earlier. It can be seen that natural growth is appearing on the embankment sides which will help to bind the material together and improve the appearance. 23.04.2009. This area was subsequently completely dug out and properly consolidated when the level of the trackbed was raised in 2012.
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
An earlier shot, taken in 2007, looking down from the south side of Imberhorne Bridge, showing the reshaped western embankment. 27.03.2007
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
On 09.04.2006 they were still digging out the inert spoil from the southern side of Imberhorne Lane bridge, and it can be seen that the excavator is working on a ledge having only reached about half the depth of the cutting.
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Taken at a different angle the reshaped embankment is starting to emerge. Subsequently part of this embankment slipped (pictured earlier). It might be an optical illusion but a damp area can be seen above and behind the excavator which is about where the problem with water occurred. 09.04.2006
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
After work to dig out the southern side of the bridge had been completed, this is the western embankment adjacent to Imberhorne Lane Bridge. 23.04.2009
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Another shot of the western embankment including the southern parapet of Imberhorne Lane Bridge. It can be seen that track extended under the bridge at that time. 23.04.2009
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
An earlier shot taken on 09.04.2006 looks down into the area south of Imberhorne Lane bridge as the inert spoil was being extracted.
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
A second shot shows a larger area of the temporary ledge. The two sides of the embankment adjacent to the bridge are beginning to emerge. Note the difference in the colour of the soil. 09.04.2006
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Changing angle this wider shot shows the site as it existed on 09.04.2006
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
At the southern end of the Imberhorne Lane tip, this 2007 shot looks down into the area from which soil had already been extracted. 27.03.2007
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
A similar shot, taken in 2009, shows the much improved appearance of this area, and the access ramp down the eastern embankment. Another obvious and welcome addition is the track. 23.04.2009
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 3116
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 3120
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 7602
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 3117
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 7603
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 7612
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 7615
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the inert spoil that was moved there prior to spreading it to raise the level of the trackbed and form a gradient up towards the bridge. 24.11.2011 7614
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
By February 2013 the inert spoil had been used to raise the level of the track bed and the line had been relaid as far as Imberhorne Lane Bridge, following the installation of drains and services. On the right an area of slipped embankment has been dug out and repaired, and on the left spare track panels are available to further extend the line under the bridge. 17.02.2013 6137
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the newly laid track. On the left a path slopes up to an Infrastructure access adjacent to the bridge. 17.02.2013 6138
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the newly laid track. 17.02.2013 6148
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the newly laid track. The track bed has been raised from a position adjacent to the bridge that is behind the signal. Additional track panels can be seen stored ready for use. 17.02.2013 8664
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the newly laid track. In the far distance the track curves left towards Kingscote. 17.02.2013 6146
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the distant signal that indicates the aspect of the down colour light home signal outside Kingscote. 17.02.2013 6138
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at signal KC53R. 17.02.2013 8466
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep
Looking south from Imberhorne Lane Bridge at the newly laid track. In the far distance a small red area on the track is a Stop board indicating the limit of the possession that was then in force. 17.02.2013 8467
bluebell railway extension east grinstead imberhorne lane ashlea farm hazelden farm vowels lane bridge turners hill road bridge bluebell railway northern extension nep