Forge Farm Crossing
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and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn.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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Forge Farm Crossing is a user worked private accommodation crossing situated between Eridge and the former junction at Birchden. The road that crosses it is a private road giving access only to buildings at Forge Farm. The crossing also carries a public footpath and thus can be used by pedestrians. This view looks north when the BR line was double track. On the left is the crossing keeper's cottage, with a hut for the keeper on the other side of the line. Behind the hut, on the right, is a barn (since demolished). In the distance are the Home signals for Birchden Junction. On the right is a 27 and three quarters milepost, which is not consistent with a 35 milepost shown in a later image. The date of the picture is not known and an internet search has failed to reveal the photographer or copyright information. Please contact me if you know more about this photograph.
Forge Farm Crossing, probably pictured on Saturday 03.03.1984. The sign tells drivers of large or slow vehicles to telephone to obtain permission to cross, but it is not facing the road, having, presumably, been struck by something large or slow moving. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
As things once were... 1125 approaches Forge Farm Crossing with the 15:35 Uckfield to Victoria service on Saturday 06.07.1985. The Eridge Down Distant signal is in the foreground, with what appears to be a fog man's hut adjacent to the signal. In the very far distance, behind the unit, the northbound Eridge Advance Starting signal can just be seen, with Distant signals below it for the two routes at Birchden Junction. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1125betweenEridgeandBirchdenJcn.withthe15.35UckfieldVictoriaSat.6.07.1985.DownDistantsignalforeground
Forge Farm Crossing in 2003. This view looks north, with the Spa Valley Railway line on the right although the Spa Valley track was then disused. The line nearest to the camera is the Network Rail line to Uckfield, upon which trains ran in either direction. 05.10.2003
The view north from Forge Farm Crossing after contractors had completed their work refurbishing the Spa Valley line on the right. The trees on the curve on the right appear not to be clear of the track, but lineside clearance had not taken place. In addition further work still had to be done to protect this user operated level crossing. For the avoidance of doubt the SVR line was not yet operational. 29.07.2008
The same view north on 02.03.2009. Network Rail had undertaken extensive lineside clearance in the area which had transformed sight lines at Forge Farm Crossing. The stumps of the troublesome trees on the curve can be seen on the right. The work also revealed a view of "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.
A view south from Forge Farm Crossing in the summer of 2008 illustrates how difficult it was to retain satisfactory sight lines at the crossing with the extensive growth in the area. The trees on the left appear to be foul of the Spa Valley line, which was not then operational. 22.06.2008
Forge Farm Crossing viewed from the west side. The Network Rail "traffic light" system can be seen to the right of the closed barrier. By default the gates at this type of crossing are kept closed, and are opened by authorised users who rely on the red and green lights to ascertain if a train is coming. There are different rules for large vehicles. 05.10.2003
