The Birchden, Groombridge and Ashurst Triangle
For very many years all services coming south from Ashurst and east from the Three Bridges line turned towards Tunbridge Wells. Passengers were required to change at Groombridge to go south towards Eridge. Although there was a direct line between "Ashurst Junction" and "Birchden Junction" it was only used for the storage of out of service locomotives. It was not until 7 June 1914 that direct services ran between Ashurst and Eridge. Thus a triangle of operational lines was formed in the area.
Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn. Eridge remains open, on the line between Uckfield and London, but one side of the station now also serves as a terminus for the Spa Valley service from Tunbridge Wells, which arrived in 2011. In the period between 1985 and 2011 parts of Eridge Station were left in poor condition but it has since been restored to a very high standard.
Separate collections cover (a) Eridge Station up to 2008; (b) Eridge Station 2008 - 2010; (c) Eridge Station 2011 - 2020; (d) Eridge Station from 2021; (e) Forge Farm Crossing; (f) The Birchden, Groombridge and Ashurst Triangle; (g) Groombridge Station; (h) Groombridge Signal Box; (i) East of Groombridge; (j) High Rocks Station; and (k) Tunbridge Wells Station and Shed.
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A fully operational Birchden Junction on 18 July 1970 with 1302 on the 11:54 from Oxted and the telegraph poles still in position (they disappear in later pictures). The sign on the left read "Unworked Trailing Point", or a point that was essentially spring loaded and was moved by the weight of the train. A point lever is visible just beside the points, which presumably allowed the points to be moved for "wrong line" workings. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A 1926 aerial photo of the area including the Birchden triangle and Groombridge Station. The red arrow marks the position of the original station and the green arrow marks the cutting in which the Spa Valley Railway subsequently built their station. Ashurst Junction is on the bottom left, and Birchden Junction is just off the bottom right of the photo. A minor road can be seen running under a now demolished bridge and across the triangle. It leaves the picture on the bottom right, crossing over the railway at the Corseley Lane overbridge. The blue arrow shows Groombridge Junction signal box, located within the intersection of the Ashurst and Birchden lines. The yellow arrow shows the site of a long lost agricultural crossing which can still be seen in this picture. Pink dots have been placed adjacent to signal posts that can be seen in a magnified image; at least one signal is missing - the Groombridge Junction Home signal from Birchden is probably obscured by the large tree in advance of the junction. The image can be enlarged by clicking ON the photo. I am grateful to Robert (Bob) Pitts for supplying the photo and he retains all rights to the image. Some adjustment has been applied to remove cloud shadow.
Birchden Junction signal box, pictured on 18.07.1970. The signalmen seem to have an ample supply of coal for their stove. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Levers in the frame at Birchden Junction signal box. The main signal levers would be painted red, the distant signal levers yellow and the spare levers white. See the next picture for the other end of the frame. June 1970. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
leverstheframeBirchden.mainsignalwouldpaintedreddistantonesyellowandspareswhite.Seenextpic.forotherend
The other end of the frame in Birchden Junction signal box. Point lever 13 is black, lever 12 (pulled so out of shot) was the FPL (facing points lock - coloured blue). The white bands on some red levers indicate that it is the section signal, locked by the box ahead via the block instruments. June 1970. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
PointleverblackpulledoutshotwastheFPLblue.whitebandssomeredleversindicatethatsectionsignallockedboxaheadviablockinstruments
The Down Groombridge line Home signal is raised as a 3D unit runs south off the spur at Birchden Junction on Tuesday 01.03.1983. The unit is 1306 or 1308 but unfortunately there is insufficient resolution to be more specific. There is a 20mph restriction through the trailing points, but also a 20mph restriction on the line towards Groombridge. The reason for the latter restriction is unknown. The (weak) bridge in the distance on the main line carries a minor country lane over the railway and just prior to the bridge there is a glimpse of the northbound Advance Starting signal. In about 2002 the embankment on the left of the signal would fail and require significant repair. More of this in later pictures. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Viewed from the fields near Forge Farm Crossing a DMU is signalled north towards Ashurst at Birchden Junction on Tuesday 01.03.1983. Unfortunately the number is indistinct but the unit is either 1106 or 1108. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Looking as though it had recently had a repaint, 1302 runs south through Birchden Junction on Tuesday 14.06.1983. The unit is carrying a "99" headcode denoting a London Bridge to Uckfield service. The northbound Advance Starting signal can be seen in the background. At the start of the gallery there is another picture (from 1970) of the unit when it was in blue livery. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A nice shot of Birchden Junction signal box taken on Tuesday 24.04.1984. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
It is a sunny morning at Birchden Junction on Tuesday 24.04.1984, and the frost is just lifting from the grass as 1318 runs off the Groombridge spur en route to Eridge. A milepost can be seen just behind the train and this would later be the site of gates that would block off the Spa Valley Railway (seen in later pictures). Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The horses are not very interested as a 3D unit heads towards Groombridge from Birchden Junction on Tuesday 24.04.1984. The tall fir trees stand just north of the junction and the line to Ashurst can be seen behind the train. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Looking from Harrisons Rocks a 3D unit likely to be 1316 makes its way from Birchden Junction to Groombridge on Tuesday 24.04.1984. The line to Ashurst can be seen behind and slightly above the train. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
BirchdenGroombridgeHarrisonsRocksTuesday24.04.19841316LikelyNickBailey
It is a bit misty at Birchden Junction on Thursday 03.05.1984 as 33004 hauls a weedkilling train south towards Eridge. The signal box and raised signal add to the scene, and the local farmer has even contributed by leaving a photogenic cart in shot. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A hard frost has yet to lift from shaded parts of the grass and scrub as a 3D unit passes through Birchden Junction on Saturday 27.10.1984. Meanwhile, on the hill above, the Autumn light illuminates part of "Glen Andred", a fine home built in 1867 and designed by architect Norman Shaw. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The frost is still on the ground at Birchden Junction on Saturday 27.10.1984 as an unidentified 3H unit heads north towards Ashurst. Meanwhile the Down Inner Home signal has been cleared for a southbound train. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
It is still frosty at Birchden Junction on Saturday 27.10.1984 as an unidentified Class 33 hauls a departmental unit south towards Eridge. The stock has not been conclusively identified but appears to consist of a former 2-HAL EMU. Stuart Moore has since suggested that the unit is one of the three de-icing/rail cleaning units put together in 1967/8 from modified HAL & LAV driving motor cars, numbered 001, 002 and 003. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Birchden Junction signal box seen through the trees on Sunday 10.03.1985. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Birchden Junction on Saturday 18.05.1985. 1313 runs south off the Groombridge spur whilst a northbound 3D unit has come to a stop adjacent to the signal box. The unit is dropping a supply of water for the box and the signalman can be seen on the veranda manhandling one of the churns into the box. Meanwhile the farmer has kindly left his cart in shot to enhance the picture. A totally lost era... Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Birchden Junction on Saturday 18.05.1985. 1309 is the lead unit on a train coming off the Groombridge spur, although the level of patronage probably did not justify a six car train. Meanwhile someone has repainted the "Unworked Trailing Point" notice with red lettering on a white background. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A very unusual visitor to Birchden Junction on Saturday 18.05.1985. 33004 heads south with one of the Mk.1 coaching sets that were normally only used to provide additional capacity in peak hours. This is a diverted service to Eastbourne which was unable to access the station via the normal route. Passengers instead travelled by train to Uckfield and then continued their journey by coach. Note the Mk.1 luggage/parcels van directly behind the locomotive, which was not part of the usual formation. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
BirchdenSaturday18.05.198533004DivertedEastbourneSeebatchNickBailey
Birchden Junction signal box on 06.07.1985, and the surveillance team hiding in the bushes catch the signalman working on his sun tan between trains. The house revealed above the signal box is "Glen Andred", a fine home built in 1867 and designed by architect Norman Shaw. Shaw also (amongst other things) designed the 1887 Scotland Yard buildings, which are now used by the UK Parliament. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The last day of services to and from Groombridge, and the day that Birchden ceased to be a "Junction" with only the line between Eridge and Ashurst remaining open for passengers thereafter. 1311 and 1317 (operating the "last day" service) emerge from the Groombridge line with the 15:20 from Tonbridge Wells Central. 06.07.1985. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
LastDay6.07.1985BirchdenJcn.1311and1317the15.20TonbridgeWellsCentral
It is Saturday 06.07.1985 and the last day of passenger services between Birchden Junction and Tunbridge Wells West (Grove Junction being the other end of the closed section). An unidentified 3D unit is seen just north of Birchden Junction. After closure some staff trains continued for a few weeks between Eridge and the "depot" at Tunbridge Wells West, but these were not widely reported. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Birchden Junction signal box on 26.09.1987 looking very sad. The box has closed and its name has been removed. Both the cabin and locking room doors are open. The box also looks more white than in previous images and may have been repainted at some stage before closure. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A very sad scene at the former Birchden Junction on Saturday 07.01.1989 as 33022 passes with a train of vans and some items that may be PWay equipment. The signal box is closed and the name has been removed from above the door. All of the signal arms are missing, and the "Unworked Trailing Point" notice appears to have been ripped from its post. Greatly magnifying the image suggests that the track on the Down line from Groombridge has been severed just short of the points (with only a small segment missing). The state of the up line to Groombridge cannot be ascertained. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Looking north just south of the former Birchden Junction in 2009. The Network Rail line between Uckfield and London is furthest from the camera, and the refurbished Spa Valley track to Eridge is in the foreground. The Spa Valley Railway did not actually commence services to Eridge until 2011. 02.03.2009
North of Birchden Junction on the main line to Ashurst when the line was still double track. It is Tuesday 01.03.1983 and the photographer is standing on the overbridge that carries Corseley Road (a minor lane) across the railway. A southbound unit thought to be 1106 or 1108 has just passed some track workers and its "99" headcode shows that it is en route from London Bridge to Uckfield. In the background is a rare view of the Birchden Junction Outer Home signal, still raised to allow the train to proceed. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A low resolution image from 1998 taken from the same point shows a much changed and overgrown view. The camera looks north towards Ashurst as the operational Network Rail line passes under the overbridge at Corseley Road. Although the railway had been converted to single line working (on the former Up line) large sections of the Down line remained in situ, with just a few random sections removed to no obvious pattern. 19.09.1998
Another low resolution image from 1998 looks south towards Birchden Junction as the operational Network Rail line passes under the overbridge at Corseley Road. The disused and heavily overgrown Down line is on the left, again with some random sections of rail removed. 19.09.1998
The overbridge at Corseley Road looking south in 2003. The vast amount of ballast imported into the area is explained by the substantial repairs and reinforcements to the embankment south of the bridge. Unsurprisingly the overhanging trees adjacent to the bridge in the 1998 picture have disappeared. The line then continues south towards the site of Birchden Junction, which is hidden by the trees in the background. 05.10.2003
Looking east at the line from Ashurst to Birchden from a different viewpoint. It is Thursday 19.04.1984 and an unidentified Class 33 hauls the 17:20 service from London Bridge to Uckfield south towards Birchden Junction. Just in front of the locomotive is the post for the Birchden Junction Outer Home signal, which was pictured previously. The Mk.1 coaching stock was used in peak hours to provide additional capacity. Two bridges are in view. The one nearer the camera is an agricultural cattle creep and public footpath, and the more distant bridge carries the River Medway under the line. Also in shot is one of the many wartime pillboxes that were built in the area to protect what was then an important route. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A second picture looking east at the line from Ashurst to Birchden on Thursday 19.04.1984. The 17:20 service from London Bridge to Uckfield has passed the southbound Outer Home signal, and there is a clearer view of the agricultural cattle creep and footpath. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
