Rye Station
A separate branch was originally provided to Rye Harbour, opening in 1854 and closing on 29 January 1960. The Harbour branch was approached from the west and not from the station. This branch is not currently featured in the photographic collection.
Separate collections cover (a) Ashford Station and Works; (b) Ham Street Station; (c) Appledore Station; (d) Rye Station; (e) Winchelsea Station; (f) Snailham Halt (Closed); (g) Doleham Station; (h) Three Oaks Station; (h) Ore Station; and (i) Hastings Station.
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Rye Station undoubtedly has the most impressive building on the line, although the station name above the middle arch is very hard to see. This view looks north on 20.09.2008
A second view of Rye Station building looking north east. Two sidings originally ran behind the westbound platform right up to the wall of the building, the outermost siding passing through a large goods shed which stood on part of the road that now forms the one-way system approaching the station. The goods shed closed in 1963 and was demolished in 1984. 20.09.2008
Opening up the view of Rye Station building and looking north, the Southern Region added a parcels office to the right hand side of the building that was much in keeping with the original structure. It is no longer used for that purpose. 20.09.2008
A close up of the former parcels office at Rye Station shows that it is now being used by the appropriately named Fat Controller cafe. In the interests of accurate reporting I sampled the food, which was very good. 20.09.2008
Looking west at the platform side of Rye Station building in 2005, with the signal box on the right. In common with many stations on this line the platforms are staggered, and trains normally pass here. 08.08.2005
Turbostars 171727 and 171729 demonstrate the passing movement at Rye Station. 171727 awaits departure westbound, whilst 171729 heads for the staggered eastbound platform with a service to Ashford International. 08.08.2005
A second view of the westbound platform at Rye Station, this time in 2008, shows the view little changed. Unusually for stations in this area a footbridge was provided, which enhances safety at a location where two train movements take place at almost the same time. 20.09.2008
Changing angle slightly this westbound view looks in more detail at the main Rye Station building and, excluding the former parcels office, it can be seen that the main building has three distinct segments; a main building and two wings at either end. 20.09.2008
Looking west with a slightly longer lens the level crossing at the western end of Rye Station is Ferry Road, and beyond that the railway crosses the River Tillingham. When the whole line was double track there was a footbridge beyond the level crossing for the convenience of pedestrians but this has since been removed. 20.09.2008
Looking east from the western end of the westbound platform at Rye Station. The staggered eastbound platform can be seen beyond the footbridge, and the signal box is on the left. There was originally a siding on the left, running in front of the signal box, and on the right behind the fence there were additional sidings and a goods shed. 20.09.2008
In 2005, Turbostar 171727 waits to depart for Hastings, having just passed the eastbound service, which can be seen standing at the eastbound platform in the background. Rye Station 08.08.2005
Slightly further up the platform, and without a train in shot, this view looks east towards the eastbound platform at Rye Station on 08.08.2005
Another older picture from 2005 looks west from the end of the westbound platform. Note the catch points and sand drag to prevent trains entering the single line section west of Rye Station before the eastbound service has arrived. The purpose of the two sheds at the end of the platform is unknown. 08.08.2005
A second view west from Rye Station with a slightly longer lens, taken in 2008, shows the points and level crossing over Ferry Road more clearly. In contrast to other crossings on the line this one has double lifting barriers. When gates were installed a signal box stood on the left, beyond the two sheds, and controlled the operation of the gates. 20.09.2008
Looking west with a long lens from the footbridge at Rye Station gives a clearer view along the line. A pedestrian crosses the level crossing and in the far distance the parapet of the bridge over the River Tillingham can just be seen. A siding originally ran alongside the line on the right of the picture as far west as the level crossing. 20.09.2008
The windmill adjacent to the bridge over the River Tillingham is a well known local landmark. Other references suggest that in the past it has been used as a pottery and a guest house. Beyond the river bridge a branch curved south to Rye Harbour, trains approaching this branch from the west and not from the direction of Rye Station. 20.09.2008
The main buildings at Rye Station looking west through the footbridge. Note the vertical boards on the platform ramp on the left to prevent passengers taking a short cut across the track. The path on the right leads to the signal box, a gate being provided at the end of the platform. 20.09.2008
In 2005 Turbostar 171727 approaches the westbound platform at Rye Station prior to passing the eastbound service. The coach and car park on the right was originally a goods yard, with a loading dock. On the extreme right the buildings were a cattle market. 08.08.2005
A view west from the eastbound platform at Rye Station. Note the remains of an engineer's siding on the left (the points having been removed). A banner repeater is provided for westbound services owing to restricted sighting of the signal. 20.09.2008
Slightly further east along the eastbound platform at Rye Station, and still looking west. Facilities on this platform have always been limited, but a small shelter is provided. The footbridge was erected in 1960, when electrification of the line was considered, but the plan was later dropped. 20.09.2008
Looking west from the eastern end of Rye Station on 20.09.2008. The path on the right, behind the fence, provides alternative access to the station from Rope Walk, and also serves as level disabled access to eastbound services. It is, however, rather a long way round, an inevitable consequence of staggered platforms. On the left the car park occupies the former goods yard.
This older picture, looking west in 2005, shows the coach park heavily used, and the siding intact although severed from the main line. Latterly an engineer's siding this was originally the entrance to this section of the goods yard. Rye Station 08.08.2005
Turbostar 171729 stands at the eastbound platform at Rye Station waiting to depart for Ashford. It has just passed the westbound service, but the signal has not yet cleared. 08.08.2005
This old shot, taken from Rye Station footbridge in 2005, clearly shows the former siding. The land on the right used for coach and car parking was formerly occupied by three sidings, a double sided water crane for steam engines, a huge water tower to supply the water, loading docks, and a wagon weighbridge. 08.08.2005
The same shot in 2008 shows the siding lifted. Before the footbridge was built the site between the two platforms at Rye Station was occupied by wagon turntables. These allowed wagons in the siding adjacent to the signal box to be turned through ninety degrees and wheeled at right angles across the main line. They could then be turned again in the southern goods yard and placed in the appropriate siding. These turntables were removed many years ago, and replaced by a pedestrian foot crossing at track level. Subsequently the footbridge was provided. 20.09.2008
Looking east from the eastbound platform at Rye Station. The loading dock in the goods yard stood approximately where the white coach is parked, with the cattle market on the right. 20.09.2008
Looking east at the eastbound platform at Rye Station from the westbound platform. On the extreme left the white gate gives access to the signal box. Note the original waiting shelter and canopy. 20.09.2008
The original waiting shelter on the eastbound platform at Rye Station. A Gents was originally provided on the right hand side of the shelter. The sign says Rye, Ancient Town, Cinque Port. 20.09.2008
Looking east from the eastern end of Rye Station. The notice reminds drivers to check the signal aspect before departing from this passing point. Ending up in the sand drag is unlikely to enhance your career. 20.09.2008
Looking east at Rope Walk level crossing with a long lens from Rye Station footbridge. This crossing also has double barriers. On the left the roof of the old crossing keeper's cottage can be seen, and on the right one of the buffer stops from the old goods yard remains in situ. 20.09.2008
The same view of Rope Walk level crossing, but this time looking east from the eastbound platform at Rye Station. The tall Cab Secure Radio tower can be seen beyond the crossing. 20.09.2008
An older view of Rope Walk level crossing taken from the same point on Rye Station on 08.08.2005
Rye signal box, looking north from the westbound platform on 08.08.2005. A siding originally ran in front of the signal box.
A later view of the signal box at Rye Station, looking north on 20.09.2008
The west end of Rye signal box. The box was built in 1893 and is still operational, controlling the single line sections from Appledore and Ore. The exact boundary of the area controlled by the box is unknown. Can anyone assist? 20.09.2008
The eastern end of Rye signal box. The building apparently originally contained 30 levers, but the semaphore signals have now given way to colour lights which are presumably capable of automatic operation given the regularity of train movements. 20.09.2008