Forest Row Station (Closed) and parts of the adjacent Forest Way Country Park.
A second branch then continued to the east, constructed by the East Grinstead, Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells Railway Company. Work started on 18 July 1863 but unfortunately failed four official inspections. This delayed the opening until 1 October 1866, when the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway (LBSCR) arranged to operate the line. The section through Groombridge to Tunbridge Wells is now part of the Spa Valley Railway and covered in separate collections which can be accessed from the main website index page.
Both lines closed on 2 January 1967, victims of the Beeching cuts, and the track bed now forms part of the Worth Way Country Park to the west, and the Forest Way Country Park to the east.
Separate collections cover (a) Withyham Station; (b) Hartfield Station; (c) the site of Forest Row Station; (d) the site of East Grinstead High Level Station; (e) the site of Grange Road Station; and (f) Rowfant Station.
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After leaving Hartfield Station the old trackbed crosses country heading west towards the site of the old Forest Row Station. However east of the station an old bridge survives carrying a private road and public footpath north towards Ashdown House School and some other nearby properties. This view looks west. 09.05.2009
Looking west along the old track bed (now Forest Way footpath and cycle route) from the top of Ashdown House Bridge. 09.05.2009
Ashdown House Bridge looking east towards Hartfield Station (which is a long way away). The bridges were constructed for double track (via individual arches) but only a single track was ever provided.09.05.2009
Looking east from the top of Ashdown House Bridge. Although the trees provide a pleasant country atmosphere, many of the views that would have been available when the trains were running are obstructed by the significant growth of trees and shrubs after the line closed. 09.05.2009
Looking north over Ashdown House Bridge. The road is not a through route and gives access only to nearby properties. 09.05.2009
The reverse of the previous view looking south over Ashdown House Bridge. 09.05.2009
Continuing west, the old track bed passes through a cutting which leads to another surviving bridge which carries a private road giving access to Emerson College and other properties. This view looks west. 10.05.2009
Looking west towards Forest Row from the top of Emerson College Bridge. 10.05.2009
Emerson College Bridge looking east in the direction of Hartfield. 10.05.2009
Looking east from the top of Emerson College Bridge, but the view is obstructed by trees. 10.05.2009
The top of Emerson College Bridge, looking north. The railway was not generous with the width of bridges in this area, but when constructed they allowed for horses and carts. 10.05.2009
Emerson College Bridge, looking north. 10.05.2009
The eastern borders of the old Forest Row Station now just look like a country path. This view looks east back towards Hartfield Station, which is a considerable distance away. 18.10.2009
Still looking east at Forest Row the sign confirms the status of the old railway as Forest Row Country Park, but the path widens towards the camera. This is actually the junction at the eastern end of the station as the track opened out to double track and a line led off to a goods yard. 18.10.2009
Turning round and looking west towards the site of Forest Row Station. The double tracked station was directly ahead, part of the site being occupied by the building with a green roof. The junction to the goods yard ran off to the left (to the right of the sign with a blue poster). 18.10.2009
A closer view of the entrance to the goods yard at Forest Row Station. There was a bridge at the eastern end of the station but it is quite difficult to see in the trees. The parapets are arrowed. The entrance to the goods yard was over the bridge. There was a large brick goods shed and one other siding to the south, but this area is now occupied by a large modern industrial unit. 18.10.2009
The bridge at the eastern end of Forest Row Station looking north. There is virtually no headroom under the bridge and it's purpose is not clear. Information would be welcomed. 18.10.2009
John Attfield has kindly contributed some historical photos to this gallery. The forecourt on the south side of Forest Row station photographed on 20 April 1965, before the station closed. The bus is RT3133, registration KXW242, and is heading for West Croydon on Route 409. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
I am very grateful to Eric Kemp for allowing me to use some of his historic images in this gallery. The station building and forecourt at Forest Row, pictured on 2 November 1968, after closure, by Eric Kemp, who retains all rights to this image.
Forest Row station, looking west past the goods shed on 20 April 1965. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The running-in board at Forest Row station photographed on 20 April 1965 by John Attfield who retains all rights to this image.
Looking east along the platform at Forest Row on 20 April 1965, with the signal box at the eastern end of the station. Note the bikes in the racks on the other platform. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
I am grateful to John Clark for supplying this excellent image of Forest Row station, looking east, taken on 20 April 1969. Forest Row was closed to passengers on 2 January 1967, goods traffic having ceased on 7 November 1966. John Clark retains all rights to this image.
The westbound platform and station building at Forest Row, pictured on 2 November 1968 by Eric Kemp, who retains all rights to this image.
The goods shed on the southern side of Forest Row station, pictured on 2 November 1968 by Eric Kemp, who retains all rights to this image.
The goods shed on the southern side of Forest Row station, pictured on 2 November 1968 by Eric Kemp, who retains all rights to this image.
The eastbound platform and station building at Forest Row, pictured on 2 November 1968 by Eric Kemp, who retains all rights to this image.
The track bed leading into the site of Forest Row Station, looking west. The building directly in front of the camera is built on the double track of the station and the ramp on the left appears to be part of the westbound platform. Forest Row had a passing loop via the eastbound platform and a footbridge, which were provided in 1897. In latter years demand justified extending trains from East Grinstead to Forest Row where they terminated to serve the growing town. Closing the rail connection to this area was probably unwise but forward planning was not a strong point in the 1960s. 18.10.2009
On the northern side of the building in the previous picture a small part of the eastbound platform survives adjacent to a footpath. The remainer of the station (west of this point) has been levelled and the adjacent area is now occupied by a waste transfer site. So much more useful than a railway station.... 18.10.2009
A lonely looking westbound starting signal at Forest Row on 23 August 1968. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A modern view of the western end of the Forest Row Station site and looking east, the Forest Way path and cycle track can be seen heading east between the waste transfer site and the back of the industrial unit built on part of the old goods yard. This is not the most scenic part of the route. The other building in shot is the community Fire Station (there is a clue on the door...) 09.05.2009
A social club acquired the site after the railway closed, and moving the camera to the left brings their building into shot. Much of the old goods yard and station forecourt is a mass of tarmac. Buses once terminated here in order to serve the station. Behind the camera is an industrial estate (not pictured). 09.05.2009
A further shot of the social club built on the Forest Row Station site, looking north, together with the associated car park. A veterinary surgery (not pictured) is also located on the track bed to the left (west) of this building. 09.05.2009
Enthusiasts who like disused stations will not enjoy Forest Row, the area having been redeveloped. However the old coal office in the station forecourt survives as The Riverview Cafe. 18.10.2009
West of Forest Row Station the railway left the town on an embankment which still survives and can be seen on the left. This view looks west. 18.10.2009
Turning round this view looks east towards Forest Row Station with the embankment on the right. 18.10.2009
The demolition of the railway bridge which stood to the west of Forest Row station in July 1973. The sign says (rather obviously) "Danger Demolition in Progress". Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
West of Forest Row the railway crossed the busy A22 on a bridge. It is no surprise that the bridge at this location was demolished and the embankment cut back away from the road. Users of the Forest Way path are provided with a rather amusing traffic light controlled crossing that even has provision (and symbols) for horse riders! This view looks west towards the western embankment. 18.10.2009
Looking east across the A22 towards the overgrown embankment that leads east towards Forest Row Station (behind the traffic lights). The road is very busy and this crossing is much needed. 18.10.2009
One of the ornate signposts that are situated at intervals along the path. This one is on the western side of the A22 road crossing. 18.10.2009
Looking west up the old track bed that climbs up towards East Grinstead. When the railway was open this long ascent was called Brambletye Bank. 18.10.2009