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and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn.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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A second shot of the houses under construction on the Groombridge Station site on Friday 26.03.1993. The Spa Valley Railway had laid their track around the housing development on the small area of land allocated to them. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The cutting west of the original Groombridge Station pictured on Friday 26.03.1993. The undergrowth on both sides of the cutting has been cleared and the Spa Valley Railway station platform is newly constructed. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The remaining part of the original buildings at Groombridge Station pictured on Monday 18.08.1997. The station house was in use as a dwelling and the owners had a rather large satellite dish. The booking hall was in use by a private company, and no longer available for its original purpose. In consequence passengers for the Spa Valley Railway had to enter the area via a gate at the end of the booking hall furthest from the camera. They then walked along the former eastbound platform to access the new Spa Valley platform by passing under an adjacent road bridge. A fence had been erected along the edge of the old platform. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A second view of the platform access to the Spa Valley Railway, looking east on Monday 18.08.1997. At the far end of the booking Hall an open gate can just be seen. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The former Groombridge Station, then used as commercial premises. The entrance to the Spa Valley Railway was to the left of the building. A fence had been erected to give the station house garden some privacy. 05.10.2003
Groombridge Station pictured in 2019. The station name now appears above the door and there is a "Steam Trains Today" A-board. 25.08.2019 20089
Groombridge Station 25.08.2019 20090
Groombridge Station pictured on 29.05.2021. Access to the Spa Valley Railway is now via the green doors of what was once the booking hall. It is now the Parish Office and contains a small railway related exhibition. The station house on the right is a private dwelling. 20715
A shelter adjacent to the station features the Groombridge village sign. 29.05.2021 20670
In 2008 the former Groombridge Station building was private commercial premises, but the old platform formed the walkway to the Spa Valley Railway platform. 28.01.2008
The rear of the old Groombridge Station building pictured on 25.08.2019. New station name boards are in evidence. 20069
The rear of the Groombridge Station building and part of the old platform face on 29.05.2021. Some picnic tables had been added and work was in progress to install an eastbound Starting signal. 20672
The platform side of the Groombridge Station building with the new eastbound Starting signal (out of service) in shot. 29.05.2021 20695
A low resolution image from 1998 showing the Spa Valley Railway track winding it's way behind the housing development and heading for it's new platform west of the old Groombridge station. The approach was then very overgrown. In allowing intensive housing to be squeezed on to the site much of a historic railway station was lost. In those years there seemed to be little consideration of the value of attractions that brought tourism (and spending) to the area in the longer term. Imagine if the old station and the goods yard had been available to the railway and how it could now look in the 21st century. 17.09.1998
At the eastern end of Groombridge Station building development was permitted on the trackbed. With hindsight this was perhaps an unfortunate decision. This view east shows the single track threading it's way behind the development in 2003. The line of the old platform is clear, and the right hand side of the picture shows heavy undergrowth. 19.10.2003
In 2006 the Spa Valley Railway PWay gang made extensive improvements to the trackbed in this area. The bushes were also cleared. 19.03.2006
By 2019 an attractive floral display had been formed opposite the old station building, and new "Groombridge" station name boards had been erected. 25.08.2019 20058
By 2019 an attractive floral display had been formed opposite the old station building, and new "Groombridge" station name boards had been erected. So much better than the undergrowth previously covering the area. 25.08.2019 20068
In 2021 work to install a new eastbound Starting signal was in progress at Groombridge Station, but it had yet to enter service. 29.05.2021 20671
A traditional sign near the entrance to Groombridge Station. 25.08.2019 17372
A traditional enamel sign at Groombridge Station. 25.08.2019 20087
This old picture of the Groombridge Spa Valley Railway platform, looking west, shows the rather basic facilities that existed on 17.09.1998
Another view of the Groombridge Spa Valley Railway platform on 17.09.1998, this time looking east.
The western end of the Groombridge Spa Valley Railway station platform in 1998, looking towards what was then a run round loop for terminating trains. 17.09.1998
A closer view of the run round loop in 1998, with the ground frame controlling the points in the foreground. In the distance, with the consent of the (then) landowner the railway had laid two short sidings on the area that had been formerly occupied by the Ashurst spur. A coach can be seen behind the gates. A separate gallery covers this area. 17.09.1998
By 19.09.2005 the Spa Valley Railway platform at Groombridge Station had a new building which formed a ticket office and waiting area. Note the canopy at the eastern end (see later picture).
Further improvements were made to the trackbed at Groombridge Station in 2006 and the left hand embankment was cleared of undergrowth. This view looks west on 19.03.2006
In 2009 the track at the western end of Groombridge Station was realigned and improved. Pictured are the new points and ground frame. The railway was closed when this photo was taken and a temporary wedge was in the points. 02.03.2009
Drainage has always been an issue in the area of Groombridge Station, and at the time of the visit (a dry day) water was constantly running down the side of the left hand embankment, especially in the area where it had been cut back. A new drain had been installed to try to control this flow, and can be seen on the left. 02.03.2009
The start of the construction of an additional canopy at the western end of the Groombridge station building. 28.01.2008
When complete the new canopy would supplement the existing canopy seen here on the eastern end of the building. 28.01.2008
The start of the construction of an additional canopy at the western end of the Groombridge station building. 28.01.2008
A later picture of the canopy works at Groombridge, with the supporting brackets fitted. 22.06.2008
A moment of light relief at Groombridge - the station cat does not seem to move very much! 28.01.2008
Looking east down the platform at Groombridge Station. 02.03.2009
The framework for the new canopy at Groombridge Station. 02.03.2009
