Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes

An opportunity to take a photographic tour along the Bluebell Railway, featuring the stations, signals, signal boxes, and lineside views along the line. The photos in this collection date from the period 1998 to 2018.

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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A further image of the PWay hut to the north of Sloop Bridge, with the roof replaced but work still in progress. 07.05.2016 15100
The PWay hut at Sloop Bridge has a plaque attached in memory of Frederick Carter, a member of the PWay gang. 07.05.2016 15101
North of Sloop Bridge the line curves round towards the demolished Town House Farm Occupation Bridge. The section is shown in 2011 just after the lineside clearance team had been through and the drainage ditch on the eastern side of the line had been cleaned out. 12.02.2011 0131
9017 rounds the bend from Sloop Bridge with a northbound train. Note the pheasant directly in front of the engine! 17.02.2007. No animals were harmed in the production of this picture; the bird ran for it's life...
As the line rounds the bend there is a well known vantage point for photographers. 21C123 heads north with the lunchtime Pullman on 11.03.2007
Having rounded a sweeping bend trains pass the site of the now demolished Town House Farm occupation bridge. 80151 runs south through the remains of the bridge on 15.04.2007. Hornets have nested in the roof of the PWay hut in the past, a situation that can cause photographers to retreat rapidly....!
Bluebells in the wood on the abandoned embankment leading to the ruined Town House Farm occupation bridge. 15.04.2007
Looking north from the demolished Town House Farm Occupation Bridge as lineside clearance was in progress. The difference between the nearest section of the western embankment and the more distant area is obvious. For many years there has been very little fall in the drainage ditch on the eastern side and the area is often waterlogged. 12.02.2011 0130
A closer view of the drainage ditch north of Town House Farm Occupation Bridge in 2010, showing water standing almost to the brim. Although the ditch was cleared the following year the issues with lack of fall were largely unresolved, as can be seen in the previous photo. 26.03.2010 1637
Although standing water was not of benefit to the railway the local ducks very much appreciated it. 21.03.2010 1436
A spring display of primroses on the western embankment as the track curves round to the site of the former Freshfield Halt. 28.04.2010 2077
Looking from the embankment in the previous picture north towards the site of the former Freshfield Halt, which was located on the eastern side beyond the PWay hut. The trees are at their best in May. In the distance the parapets of Monteswood Lane Bridge can just be seen. 17.05.2015 12607
October of the same year and the trees have changed to their autumn colours. What a difference a few months makes. 20.10.2015 13874
In 2011 the railway erected a sign marking the former site of Freshfield Halt. The halt itself was demolished completely after it ceased to be used. 28.04.2011 6920
The second road bridge in this area is Monteswood Lane Bridge (sometimes called Cockchase). 9017 passes over the bridge during heavy rain on 25.02.2007
Hidden by the tree, 80151 rumbles over Monteswood Lane Bridge on 27.08.2007. This view looks east.
A further view of Monteswood Lane Bridge, this time looking west. 27.08.2007
Just north of Monteswood Lane Bridge, on the eastern side, is a wood which in most years has a very good display of bluebells. 17.04.2016 14878
Just north of the site of Freshfield Halt there is a strange construction on private land on the west side, which I assume to be a viewing gallery to watch the trains. 20.05.2018 18389
Just north of the site of Freshfield Halt there is a strange construction on private land on the west side, which I assume to be a viewing gallery to watch the trains. 20.05.2018 18388
Beyond Monteswood Lane Bridge the line stretches away north towards Rock Cutting. Bluebells flourish in this area in Spring. 27.08.2007
The instruction at the entrance to Rock Cutting applies to engines, not photographers, and provides a warning for pedestrians using Tremains foot crossing, hidden from view around the bend. 27.08.2007
Rock Cutting looking south in 2018, shortly after track renewal. 20.05.2018 18366
A lot of thought went into the name of Rock Cutting. It is a cutting through a particularly solid lump of rock. This view looks east. The summer weeds conceal much of the rock face; in winter it looks more barren. 27.08.2007
A wider view of Rock Cutting after the Wednesday Lineside Clearance Gang had cleared the undergrowth. 21.03.2010
Taken in 2007, this image looks south into Rock Cutting. In those days the lineside was rather more overgrown. 27.08.2007
Another view looking south into Rock Cutting after the lineside clearance team had been along in 2011. Otye Bridge used to pass under the railway just south of the eight and three quarter milepost, but was filled in around 2006 having become disused. 09.03.2011 6199
The former position of Otye Bridge is marked in this low resolution shot looking south from Tremains foot crossing. At the time the bridge was still open and the bridge parapet was surrounded by orange safety fencing and scaffolding. 09.10.2005
This view south from Tremains foot crossing, taken on 09.10.2005, provides a distant shot of Otye Bridge surrounded by safety fencing.
Looking east towards the railway, 80151 heads north with the Pullman. The engine is on top of the site of Otye Bridge, a filled in bridge formerly used to allow animals to cross under the railway. Changes in land ownership can make these bridges redundant. The site of the bridge is clearly shown by the different coloured foliage. 27.08.2007
In 2018, eleven years later than the photograph above, it was still possible to see the "U" shaped outline where Otye Bridge was filled in. 20.05.2018 18380
On the western side of the line beyond Rock Cutting, and some distance down the adjacent meadow, the Environment Agency have a weir that controls the flow on the River Ouse. The signs read "Danger of Drowning", "No Diving" and "No Unauthorised Access" respectively. This image is taken with a long lens and makes the river look more narrow than is actually the case. 21.03.2010 1475 
Just to the right of the weir the trees are caught in their autumn tints. 10.10.2008
Autumn tints near Tremains foot crossing are often much appreciated by passengers. 10.10.2008
The same trees in 2015, giving a rather more powerful autumn tints display. 20.10.2015 12282
Looking north from Rock Cutting towards Tremains foot crossing shortly after track renewal. 20.05.2018 18367
Viewed from Rock Cutting, Tremains foot crossing is, in theory, seen in the distance. Unfortunately on the day of my visit someone had removed the crossing woodwork, so only the lineside notice and some steps are just visible. You can't leave anything laying around nowadays... 27.08.2007. The two inspection covers on the right of the milepost mark the position of the infilled Otye Bridge.
Tremains foot crossing provides a route for a public footpath. 32473 passes over the crossing with a southbound mixed train on 25.02.2007
Standing on Otye Bridge on an earlier visit in 2005, this shot looks north to Tremains foot crossing. 09.10.2005
A closer view of Tremains foot crossing, looking north, in 2008, with updated signs to comply with legislation. 10.10.2008
By 2018 a lot of work had been done at Tremains foot crossing. This view looks north, with a newly fitted crossing surface within the rails. 20.05.2018 18368
Tremains foot crossing, looking south on 10.10.2008
In 2008, on the eastern side of the line, the approach to Tremains foot crossing was just a muddy slope. 10.10.2008
In 2018, the eastern side of Tremains foot crossing, looking west, with newly created steps up to track level. This is a vast improvement on the previous path. 20.05.2018 18370
New fencing at the top of the steps to Tremains foot crossing, on the eastern side of the railway. 20.05.2018 18371
The eastern side of Tremains foot crossing with a new level area created which provides a safe area in which pedestrians can stand whilst they check that it is safe to cross. Note also the warning sign, now placed at the "decision point". This view looks south. 20.05.2018 18372
Photographed in 2008, on the western side of Tremains foot crossing the approach is via a steep slope, which becomes very muddy in the winter. 10.10.2008 The approach has since been improved during renewal of the track.
The western side approach to Tremains foot crossing, with a vintage warning sign in shot. 20.05.2018 18374