Eridge Station 2008 - 2012
Another collection covers the period prior to 2008 when the Spa Valley line into Eridge was disused.
Separate collections cover Forge Farm Crossing, the line to Birchden, and Groombridge Station.
***SOME IMAGES HAVE YET TO BE UPLOADED TO THIS COLLECTION***.
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Network Rail has recently undertaken substantial lineside clearance, which has transformed the approach to Eridge. The old signal box has been revealed, although it is currently in sad condition. 02.03.2009
Amazingly the signalman's convenience was still standing within the undergrowth, although it may need some refurbishment... 02.03.2009
Eridge signal box, taken from a slightly different angle. It would be nice to see this box externally restored to enhance the historic features that should be part of a heritage railway. 02.03.2009
A wider view of Eridge signal box, which stands on the west side of the line, north of Platform 1. Although the box is on the Network Rail side of the line, safe access could be obtained from Platform 1 if restoration were possible. 02.03.2009
Looking north from Platforms 2 and 3 at Eridge Station, showing the dramatic improvement in the view following the lineside clearance. 02.03.2009
A wider shot from the end of Platform 3 at Eridge, looking north. 02.03.2009
Changing angle, this view looks north from the end of the Network Rail platform (Platform 1). It can be seen that the long siding on the right has been cleared of undergrowth. On the right, behind the fence, is an engineering area which is assumed still to be in Network Rail ownership. It is currently in an appalling state with much graffiti and rubbish in evidence. 02.03.2009
Looking north from Platform 1 at Eridge Station with a longer lens. The undergrowth has been cleared from around the old bracket signal and the milepost is revealed. 02.03.2009
Within the rubbish and undergrowth inside the engineering compound is this small hut, which was, perhaps, used by a shunter. 02.03.2009
Contractors are currently working to install services inside the refurbished Gents on the Spa Valley platform, and metal fences and a temporary access can be seen which are part of the works. The edge of the platform had been marked out, presumably ahead of some repair work. 02.03.2009
Looking through the arch at the southern end of Eridge Station it can be seen that new buffers have now been installed adjacent to the milepost. 02.03.2009
Looking down from the road bridge outside Eridge Station it can be seen that the Spa Valley track has been angled slightly to the left as an additional safety measure. 02.03.2009
A final view from the road bridge at Eridge Station, taken with a long lens, shows that the installation of the buffers has resulted in a length of abandoned track south of the new road bridge. 02.03.2009
Moving now to pictures taken in 2008, there has been a stunning transformation in the bay platform at Eridge. The bushes have been cleared and the track is being repaired. This view looks north from the buffers. This platform was originally Platform 4, but is currently called Platform 3. 14.09.2008
The contractors have marked sleepers in the bay platform that require replacement. 14.09.2008
Digging out of the rotten sleepers has commenced. 14.09.2008
Further up the bay platform new sleepers are already in situ. 14.09.2008
In order to remove this rotten sleeper the fishplates have been removed, clearly showing that all the joints have been lubricated. 14.09.2008
At the northern end of the bay platform the bushes have been removed revealing the points to the long siding. New sleepers have been installed in advance of the points. 14.09.2008
A closer view of the remains of the point mechanism. These points were presumably originally worked from the signal box to the north of the station. 14.09.2008
Looking north from the bay platform showing the cleared access to the Spa Valley running line (in the centre of the picture). 14.09.2008
Looking north with a longer lens it can be seen that the undergrowth on the long siding on the right is regrowing at an astonishing rate. Earlier pictures show this growth reduced to track level and it will clearly need some further attention. 14.09.2008
Looking south down the refurbished platform at Eridge from the northern end. 14.09.2008
The station signs on the Spa Valley platform have been removed leaving a rusty area on the otherwise refurbished support. 14.09.2008
Meanwhile various areas on the Spa Valley platform have been marked for repairs to the surface. 14.09.2008
Paint has been stripped from the wall of the Gents toilet ready for continuing refurbishment and repainting. 14.09.2008
Looking south from Eridge into the Spa Valley headshunt (on the left). The contractors have now cut the bushes back for part of the length. 14.09.2008
The removal of the bushes has exposed the milepost south of the station. 14.09.2008
South of the station a bridge carries a major road over the railway. This view looks south towards the current end of the Spa Valley line. 14.09.2008
Looking south with a longer lens it can be seen that no buffers have yet been installed in the headshunt, but a section of line has been removed just before the Spa Valley track terminates. The track has been in this condition for some time. 14.09.2008
Looking north towards Eridge from the road bridge with the Network Rail line on the left and the Spa Valley headshunt on the right. 14.09.2008
Changing angle slightly the former route into the original Platform 1 can be seen on the left. 14.09.2008
Looking from the other end of the road bridge it can be seen that the disused section of the bridge leading into the old Platform 4 (now Platform 3) is still obstructed by undergrowth. This bay platform is blocked at the southern end by an exit to the car park. 14.09.2008
Taken in July 2008, the following group of pictures shows that the contractors have finished preparing the Spa Valley Railway running line into Eridge Station. This view looks north on 29.07.2008
The view north from the Network Rail platform at Eridge, with the Spa Valley running line in the centre of the three tracks. The points that in previous times connected with the Network Rail line have now been removed. 29.07.2008
Looking north from Platform 1 the long siding can be seen on the right. The contractors have done no work there, and it is hoped to establish a safe working area that will allow SVR staff to undertake any necessary adjustments. 29.07.2008
Looking north from the Spa Valley platform at Eridge. The plain lining that replaced the former points is indicated by the blue bolts. 29.07.2008
Pulling back, this view shows the remaining points more clearly. 29.07.2008
Looking north from the end of the Spa Valley platform. An application of weedkiller on the long siding might well be an advantage as the undergrowth is already reappearing. 29.07.2008
Looking south down the Spa Valley platform from the same point. No work has yet been done on the bay platform (Platform 3). This will be a future project. Marks can just be seen on the platform indicating where the surface needs to be repaired. 29.07.2008
Looking towards the Spa Valley buildings from the Network Rail platform. Evidence of ongoing refurbishment is obvious. 29.07.2008
Having described the Network Rail buildings as tatty in January 2008 I feel obliged to record that they now have a nice new coat of paint. They have even painted the lamps and the surviving digital clock bracket! 29.07.2008
Looking south into the Spa Valley headshunt (on the left). The contractors are returning at a later stage to finish this area. Buffers will be installed just around the bend and presumably the trees will be cut back. 29.07.2008
The next group of pictures were taken on 22.06.2008 when contractors were clearing undergrowth and restoring the track north of Eridge for Spa Valley Railway use. The removal of the undergrowth has produced a dramatic change in the view (compare these pictures with the original collection covering 2003 - 2008). The bracket signal and milepost have finally been revealed again. 22.06.2008
Looking north from Platform 1 at Eridge with a long lens. The Network Rail line is on the left, the Spa Valley Railway running line is in the centre of the picture and the SVR long siding on the right. Contractors are currently concentrating on bringing the SVR running line up to standard and cutting back the undergrowth. No work has been done on the track in the siding as yet. 22.06.2008
Looking north from Platform 1 at Eridge. Some new sleepers have been delivered and placed on the siding. 22.06.2008
Looking north from Platform 1 at Eridge and reducing the zoom the length of the siding on the right can be seen. 22.06.2008
Looking north from Platform 2 at Eridge with a long lens. The left hand crossover pointing towards the Network Rail line on the left will be removed and replaced by plain track. The right hand crossover leads to the long siding which extends around the bend, but the line is currently difficult to see in the remaining grass and weeds