Sheffield Park to Horsted Keynes
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.
SCROLL DOWN to view the pictures. Click here to return to the main website index page.
The Sheffield Park Outer Home Signal is at the southern end of Ketches Halt, and in the distance the Sheffield Park Advance Starter can be seen. 04.06.2006
A clearer view of the Sheffield Park Outer Home signal taken from the end of the platform at Ketches Halt as 65 approaches on 11.06.2006
In 2018 the Outer Home signal post was refurbished, although the decorative top did not retain it's previous red colour. A sighting board, which improves visibility of the signal to drivers, was also added. 18.05.2018 16478
The Sheffield Park Outer Home signal in the "Off" position. 18.05.2018 16482
263 steams north past the refurbished southbound Sheffield Park Outer Home signal, complete with newly fixed sighting board. 18.05.2018 18326
Ketches Halt looking south in 2006. In the far distance the tall pole of the Sheffield Park Advance Starter can just be seen. 04.06.2006
A wider view of Ketches Halt, looking south, on 02.04.2007
In 2009 it was suggested that Ketches Halt might be dismantled and a number of pictures of the location were therefore taken. 592 passes with a northbound service train. 26.04.2009. In the event the structure remained in situ.
80151 passes Ketches Halt with a southbound Golden Arrow Pullman. 26.04.2009
North of the abandoned platform at Ketches Halt a stream passes under the railway in a culvert, it's position being marked by a dip in the fence line on the western side, where it discharges towards the River Ouse. 18.05.2018 18320
North of the abandoned platform at Ketches Halt a stream passes under the railway in a culvert, it's position being marked by a dip in the fence line on the western side, where it discharges towards the River Ouse. 18.05.2018 16484
The point east of the line where the stream enters the culvert is less obvious. 18.05.2018 18321
One of many lineside huts is sited at Ketches Halt, but this one has a unique drunken chimney. The bricklayer had clearly had a few when he built it! 02.04.2007
Ketches Halt used to have a lovely PWay hut, but unfortunately a falling tree demolished the roof. 18.05.2018 16479
Ketches Halt used to have a lovely PWay hut, but unfortunately a falling tree demolished the roof. There is something about PWay huts that seems to make them a target for trees, prone to fire, and a home for nests of hornets. 18.05.2018 16480
A view looking up Freshfield Bank from Ketches Halt towards the Distant signal. The lens makes the distance appear shorter. Just before the fogman's hut Palmer's Cattle Creep passes under the line. The fogman's hut marks the original position of a signal. In the far distance is Town Place Bridge. 04.06.2006
The first bridge up Freshfield Bank is Palmers Cattle Creep, a simple bridge of brick abutments crossed by iron girders, on which sits a timber base for the line. This view looks east. 23.09.2007
A second view of Palmers Cattle Creep, looking west in 2007. The odd shape to the fencing on the bridge arises from temporary fencing around a hole in the bridge. 23.09.2007
The underside of Palmers Cattle Creep pictured in 2007. At first sight this looks a bit draughty, but the eastern end of the bridge has never carried any load, the track in this area being a single line since construction in 1882. Careful viewing of the picture shows the iron girders supporting the track to be totally intact, with a solid base. Nearest the camera, where there is no load, there is a wooden cross beam rather than iron, and the planking had seen better days. The rotten timbers were subsequently removed. 23.09.2007
Looking north up Freshfield Bank at the point where the 10mph speed restriction out of Sheffield Park changes to 25mph. 18.05.2018 16481
When Palmers Bridge was built in 1882 provision was made (on the left) for a second track, by laying timber decking. After so many years this deck has naturally rotted and new fencing has been erected around the consequential hole. This alleviated the dreadful screams as track walkers disappeared down the abyss. In the background the board marking the start of the 10mph speed restriction into Sheffield Park can be seen. When the track in the area is renewed this restriction will be lifted. 18.05.2018 18317
Looking north up Freshfield Bank with an old fog man's hut on the right. 18.05.2018 18319
An old fog man's hut on Freshfield Bank. These huts were originally sited near signals and provided shelter for men whose duty it was to place detonators on the track and to show flags or lamps to drivers in order to give information about the aspect of the signal in foggy conditions. Such activities are now very much a relic of the past. 18.05.2018 18318
A view north up Freshfield Bank, taken with a different lens in 2007, gives a better impression of distance than previous images. 14.07.2007
Having walked part of the way up Freshfield Bank, this view looks back south towards the Fogman's Hut, which marks the original position of a signal. 32473 approaches with a Grandparent's Special. Anyone for a cream tea? 23.09.2007
The Sheffield Park Outer Home signal is situated around the bend at the bottom of Freshfield Bank. A Distant signal sited on the bank gives drivers early warning of the possible need to stop. The signal is shown in the Off position on 11.03.2007
A close up of the arm of the Sheffield Park Distant signal. 11.03.2007
This shot looks south down Freshfield Bank from a point adjacent to the Distant signal. In the far distance Fenchurch disappears around the bend towards Ketches Halt with the Victorian coaches. 01.07.2007
Turning round, this view looks north, and catches the Distant signal mid-way between the Off and the On position. Before anyone praises the photographic skill it was pure fluke. I happened to release the shutter just as the signal changed. A short distance away the parapets of Oakham Bridge can be seen. 01.07.2007
The second bridge when travelling north up Freshfield Bank is Oakham Bridge, which allows an unmade track to pass under the line. This view looks west on 11.03.2007
Oakham Bridge looking east. Much unseen effort goes into maintaining structures on the line, and repairs were in progress when this picture was taken on 11.03.2007
A closer view of the repairs at Oakham Bridge. It can be seen that a significant number of bricks were being replaced. 11.03.2007
Looking south down Freshfield Bank from the top of Oakham Bridge. 21.10.2007
Further north up Freshfield Bank, Town Place Bridge carries a farm track and a public footpath over the railway. This view looks south towards the Distant signal from the bridge. 09.10.2005
Thirteen years later and another view looking south from Town Place Bridge with the Sheffield Park Distant signal in the distance. New track has been laid northwards from a point roughly adjacent to the signal, with the remainder of Freshfield Bank to receive attention at a later stage. 28.05.2018 18489
The top of Town Place Bridge looking east. The public footpath at this location can be difficult to navigate. 28.05.2018 18486
The top of Town Place Bridge looking west. The public footpath in this area can become overgrown. 28.05.2018 18497
Taken in 2005, this view from Town Place Bridge looks north. In the distance the track curves right as it crosses Sloop Bridge. 09.10.2005
Looking north from the top of Town Place Bridge in 2018 as 263 approaches with a southbound train. 28.05.2018 18490
Looking north from the top of Town Place Bridge as 263 approaches with a southbound train. 28.05.2018 18492
Looking north from the top of Town Place Bridge as 263 approaches with a southbound train. 28.05.2018 18494
Taken from the end of the cutting seen in the previous picture, 32473 has just passed over Sloop Bridge and prepares to descend Freshfield Bank. 11.03.2007
A the top of Freshfield Bank (roughly behind the train in the previous shot) a length of hard standing has been laid. The purpose of this strip is unknown. 27.09.2009
32473 rounds the bend to pass over Sloop Bridge, which gets it's name from a nearby public house, the Sloop Inn. (This bridge is also known as Freshfield Lane Bridge). 11.03.2007
Sloop Bridge (or Freshfield Lane Bridge) looking west. 28.05.2018 18480
Sloop Bridge (or Freshfield Lane Bridge) looking west. 28.05.2018 18483
Sloop Bridge (or Freshfield Lane Bridge) looking east. 28.05.2018 18485
A PWay hut is situated to the north of Sloop Bridge. In 2016 it was repaired by members of 9F Club, this shot catching the work in progress. 16.04.2016 12779