Eridge Station up to 2008
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and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn.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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The forecourt at Eridge Station, photographed on 30 January 1969. British Railways were more prescriptive in those days. The notice says "No Parking, Car Park in Downside Goods Yard". Latterly parked cars filled the forecourt area. Although time has moved on the telephone box is still there, as is the post box in the wall. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The entrance to Eridge Station pictured on Wednesday 24.11.1982, and frankly everything looks dilapidated. Neither the telephone box nor the station doors have seen a paintbrush for some time, and on the right of the doors the bus timetable is missing from the poster case provided for the purpose. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Another shot of the entrance to Eridge Station. You might think that it was taken at the same time as the photo above, but actually it is almost two years later on Saturday 27.10.1984. Neither the telephone box nor the doors look any better but at least a bus timetable is available. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image,
The interior of the booking hall, looking west, showing the old fireplace, and the more modern CCTV. It would have looked better if they had made good after the removal of the clock. The office on the left was used by the Sussex Community Rail Partnership, Uckfield and East Grinstead Lines Development Officer. Unfortunately there were few leaflets available on the racks, which was unusual. 28.01.2008
On 30 January 1969, 1319 stands in what was then platform 3 at Eridge with a southbound train,. The "Gents" is well signposted, and had an "open door" policy. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Looking south at Eridge on 30 January 1969. 1319 leaves with a southbound service as 1313 enters what was then Platform 2 with a northbound Oxted service. Note the concrete support for the running in board and the concrete platform lights which cast a much inferior light to more modern lamps. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
1313 stands in Platform 2 at Eridge with an Oxted service, whilst an unidentified DMU waits in Platform 1 with a Tonbridge service that would turn right at Birchden Junction and run via Groombridge and Tunbridge Wells West. A debate elsewhere suggests that this unit might be 1318, but it can't be confirmed. In those years Eridge was an important interchange station even though the station itself was not close to a centre of population. 30.01.1969. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The Tonbridge service in Platform 1 awaits departure. In those years Eridge station actually had staff (seen in the distance) something that would be unusual on the Uckfield line in more modern times. The track in the goods yard on the left had already been lifted, there being a much greater demand for car parking than for coal and supplies. 30.01.1969 John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Looking south down Platform 3 at Eridge on 30.01.1969. Looking through the bridge at the end of the platform it can be seen that Platform 4 (on the left) had already had it's southern connection to the through line removed, a set of buffer stops blocking the line. The southbound Starting signal can also be seen through the arch. John Attfield retains all rights to this image
An unidentified DMU (possibly 1318) departs north from Eridge heading for Tonbridge via Groombridge and passing the "6" and "9" car stopping markers. Just in front of the train the points into the Up siding (alongside Platform 1) can just be seen. On the left the signal box is still operational, and has a very crowded telegraph pole adjacent and a lineside hut beyond. All these features have since vanished. On the right the camera just catches the edge of the goods shed prior to demolition, the actual goods yard having already been transformed into a car park. Ground mounted shunting signals control access to the "long siding" on the right, which was clearly still in use given the polished rails. 30.01.1969 John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The Eridge Up Home signals (south of the station). The left hand (slightly lower) arm controlled the route into the former Platform 1, which has since been lifted. 23.02.1969. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Eridge goods shed, in a partially demolished state on 17.08.1971. Roger Resch tells me that the damage resulted from "... a derailment caused by the signalman replacing the points prematurely. Two 3 car Oxted units were shunting out of the Down Bay on to the Up Line ready to go back to Tunbridge Wells, but the lights were only switched on in the first unit, leading the signalman to believe that the train had cleared the points. The rear unit destroyed the dummy and side swiped the goods shed with the result shown". However, the hole in the wall does allow a view of the goods crane inside. Before it was demolished (properly) the shed stood at what is now the northern end of the car park. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
By chance John Clark also photographed the whole of Eridge station in a photograph dated circa 1971, and catches the goods shed in slightly dismantled condition following the derailment referenced above. The concrete frame for the running in board, the Gents, and the buffers on the Up siding all stand out clearly. The signal box is out of shot to the left. John Clark retains all rights to this image.
The Up Starting signals at Eridge, with 1307 arriving in the background on a southbound service. The "9" on the right is the marker showing where nine coach trains should stop, and thus indicating the rough length of the platforms at the time. 17.08.1971. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
EridgeStartingsignals17.08.1971with1307arrivingthebackground
A general view of Eridge Station on 23.09.1972. Sharp eyed viewers will just make out the Royal Mail parcels chute under the right hand staircase of the footbridge. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1305 arrives at the southern end of Eridge Station on the 13:08 service from Uckfield to Tonbridge on Sunday 20.04.1975. The track on the right led into the now lifted Platform 1, and the unit was heading into what was then Platform 2. The Down Starting signal is Off for a departing train. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The running in board at the southern end of Eridge Station on 20.04.1975, encased in a less than attractive concrete support. This board was on Platforms 1 and 2, as Platforms 3 and 4 were used for Down trains. The board no longer exists, although the Spa Valley Railway have created one on the platforms that they use. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The northern end of Eridge Station pictured on Sunday 20.04.1975. The tracks nearest the camera are the line through Platform 1, and the adjacent Up siding, the escape from which was regulated by a ground signal. The two Starting signals are at the end of the Up platforms, with the "6" and "9" stopping markers just beneath (you "budged up" very slightly if you had nine coaches). Beyond the signal box are the Down Home signals for Platforms 3 and 4, and hidden behind the bracket there is just a glimpse of the northbound Advance Starting signal, with Distant signals beneath it for the two routes at Birchden Junction. The track furthest from the camera (east side of the line) is the "long siding" and this image clearly shows it continuing around the bend. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1318 arrives at Eridge with the 12:58 service from Tonbridge on Sunday 20.04.1975. The train is about to cross the river bridge on it's way into Platform 3, and adjacent to the rear coach a marker indicates that the northbound line speed changes to 60 mph. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Peeking through the trees at Eridge on Sunday 01.06.1975. 1307 is in the Up Loop (Platform 1) with the 15:33 service to Victoria whilst 1304 is just departing on the Up Main (Platform 2) with the 15:08 service from Uckfield to Tonbridge. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
EridgeSun.1.06.1975.1307theLoop15.33Vic.whilst1304departsMain15.08UckfieldTonbridge
Looking across the fields to Eridge Station on Sunday 21.09.1975, with 3D unit 1315 on the 15:58 Tonbridge to Uckfield service (Platform 3) and 3H unit 1106 in Platform 1 waiting to leave at 16:33 with a Victoria train. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
EridgeSun.21.09.1975withunit1315the15.58TonbridgeUckfieldand1106waitingleave16.33Victoria
A bit of nostalgia. The Up platform at Eridge on Saturday 29.11.1975, looking towards the footbridge. The destination boards tell the story of the service that then existed, the Up siding buffers are on the right and the Down Starting signal can be glimpsed through the arch. At the time there was a Royal Mail parcels chute under the footbridge steps (out of shot) and the empty barrows stand ready for the mail and parcels. A lost era... Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
An unidentified Class 33 fitted with small ploughs hauls what appears to be a two car departmental unit south through Eridge on Wednesday 24.11.1982. The unit is possibly composed of two motor cars from a 4-SUB unit and may be a de-icer but it has not been conclusively identified. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The years when there was a clear view of Eridge Station across the fields. Two 3D units stand in platforms 1 and 2 with northbound trains on Saturday 04.06.1983. Meanwhile the buttercups are in bloom and the resident horse is having his lunch. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Eridge Station on Saturday 04.06.1983, as 1309 reverses into Platform 1 prior to forming a northbound service. A mile post can be seen on the edge of the siding, just prior to the ground signal. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Platform 1 at Eridge Station on Saturday 04.06.1983, with 1309 waiting to form a northbound service. The adjacent Up siding looks a bit rusty. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1306 arrives at Eridge Station in a picture probably taken on Tuesday 14.06.1983. The unit is carrying a "31" headcode indicating that it is a Tonbridge to Uckfield service (although in practice these services usually terminated in the bay at Eridge and passengers changed for Uckfield). Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1115 stands at Eridge on Tuesday 14.06.1983, the "99" headcode indicating that it is a London Bridge to Uckfield service. In the background the Down Home signal is still raised and just in front of the unit is a step from a removed staff board crossing. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
After a period of heavy rain it is flooded at Eridge on Thursday 23.06.1983 but luckily the station stands above the level of the local fields. In the background the Platform 1 Starting signal is raised and a 3D unit departs north. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Looking north at Eridge Station in an image possibly taken on Monday 02.04.1984. The evening light illuminates a Class 33 heading north with one of the Mark 1 carriage sets that were used in peak hours to provide additional capacity. This may be an evening empty stock working back from Uckfield after the train had discharged passengers from London. In Platform 1 a 3D unit waits to depart. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
