East of Groombridge

The Spa Valley Railway currently uses a route that was originally constructed in 1868, when the LB&SCR station at Tunbridge Wells West (then on a cross-country route to Three Bridges) was linked to Uckfield by a line from Groombridge. The two lines separated at "Groombridge Junction", west of the original Groombridge Station.

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and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn.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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East of Groombridge, looking west towards the station in 1996. A large number of concrete sleepers have been deposited beside the line prior to track and signalling improvements. 19.03.2006
Groombridge looking west station 190306
Installation of the westbound Home Signal east of Groombridge Station. 28.01.2008
Groombridge Home Signal looking west 280108
The same view taken on 02.03.2009. The signal arm had yet to be fitted although some cables appeared to have been installed to link it to the new signal box at Groombridge
Groombridge looking west from westbound home signal 020309
Looking east past the westbound Home Signal east of Groombridge Station. Note the modern safety cage on the ladder. 28.01.2008
Groombridge Home Signal looking east 280108
A huge amount of work had been carried out in this area, and a clue on site suggests that the erection of the signal was appropriately toasted! 28.01.2008
East Groombridge Home signal bottle 280108
The westbound Home signal on the approach to Groombridge was subsequently fitted with a sighting board. 29.05.2021 20688
Groombridge Westbound home signal 290521 20688
The bridge adjacent to the westbound home signal on the approach to Groombridge. A public footpath runs under the arch. 29.05.2021 20673
Groombridge Westbound home signal cattle creep 290521 20673
Looking west towards the new Home Signal in 2008. New concrete sleepers had also been laid and the life expired wooden sleepers await collection. 28.01.2008
east Groombridge New track looking 280108
Looking further east towards the area where (in 2008) track replacement was still in progress. 28.01.2008
east Groombridge New track looking 280108
In winter 2008 the railway was closed. This view looks back west past the panels where work was taking place. 28.01.2008
East Groombridge New track looking west 280108
Looking east again the new concrete sleepers are laid out, awaiting installation. 28.01.2008
east Groombridge New track looking 280108
The same section looking east on 02.03.2009. There was a vast improvement in the appearance of this section, with unused track and sleepers removed, and lineside undergrowth cleared.
Groombridge looking east from westbound home signal 020309
A second view looking east from Groombridge, with the westbound distant signal just in view at the bottom of the bank. 02.03.2009
Groombridge looking east westbound distant signal 020309
Looking east past the newly installed westbound Groombridge Distant signal. 28.01.2008
east Groombridge Distant signal looking 280108
Looking west towards Groombridge, with the new Distant signal in the foreground. The safety cage for the ladder is on the left, and had yet to be installed. 28.01.2008
East Groombridge Distant signal looking west 280108
A view east along a large proportion of the updated length from Groombridge, with the Distant signal just a speck in the far distance. The improvement in both the track and lineside is obvious. 02.03.2009
Groombridge east station looking 020309