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and Tunbridge Wells West lost their passenger services on 6 July 1985 when trains between Eridge and Tonbridge were withdrawn.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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Groombridge Station photographed on 06 January 1966. After closure in 1985 a very large proportion of the station was demolished. Part of the platform on the left survived as a walkway to the new Spa Valley station which was later sited behind the camera. The station house and booking hall also escaped the bulldozers. The only track that survived was one roughly on the route of the line on the far right. Note the relatively modern signal box in the distance which had replaced an older building. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
A 1926 aerial photo of the area including the Birchden triangle and Groombridge Station. The red arrow marks the position of the original station and the green arrow marks the cutting in which the Spa Valley Railway subsequently built their station. The blue arrow shows Groombridge Junction signal box, located within the intersection of the Ashurst and Birchden lines. The yellow arrow shows the site of a long lost agricultural crossing which can still be seen in this picture. Pink dots have been placed adjacent to signal posts that can be seen in a magnified image; at least one signal is missing - the Groombridge Junction Home signal from Birchden is probably obscured by the large tree in advance of the junction. The image can be enlarged by clicking ON the photo. I am grateful to Robert (Bob) Pitts for supplying the photo and he retains all rights to the image. Some adjustment has been applied to remove cloud shadow.
Groombridge Station looking west on 06 January 1966. Coal wagons stand in the goods yard. Virtually everything that can be seen in this image was demolished after closure, and the goods shed and goods yard on the right disappeared under new housing, as did the majority of the station. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station looking west on 06 January 1966. Virtually everything that can be seen in this image was demolished after closure, and the goods shed and goods yard on the right disappeared under new housing, as did the majority of the station. The track on the left very roughly follows the route of the current Spa Valley Railway, but there is no platform left in this area. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The station forecourt at Groombridge on 30.12.1969. At the time it was somewhat easier to find a parking space. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The (closed) Goods Yard at Groombridge, looking west, on 30.12.1969. The cattle dock had it's own dedicated set of points so that access could be gained either from the middle siding or through the goods shed. This also enabled an engine to haul wagons into the shed and then be released from the western end. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The disused goods shed and cattle dock at Groombridge, looking east, on 30.12.1969. Note the overhead power lines and the (separate) telegraph poles. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A somewhat drab winter's day at Groombridge on 30.12.1969. The notice on the concrete building on the left proclaims "Closure of Goods Yard", and the building beyond it was, by then, in departmental use (hence the presence of two British Rail vans). Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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The former signal box at Groombridge on 30.12.1969. The box was (at the time) of relatively modern construction having been erected in 1958. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge on Saturday 18.07.1970 with 1308 on the 11:35 from Eridge. The platforms were staggered and the top of the subway can be seen where it passes beneath the track. There is an "S" stopping marker to indicate to drivers where they should stop their train. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1302 stands at the main line side of what was once an island platform at Groombridge on Saturday 03.05.1975. The train is the 11:58 from Tonbridge to Eridge and the Starting signals that once stood at the end of the platforms have vanished. There is a staff board crossing beyond the subway, once a common sight at stations. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
1302 leaves the main line side of what was once an island platform at Groombridge on Saturday 03.05.1975, as arriving passengers walk along the platform to the subway. The train is the 11:58 from Tonbridge to Eridge . The bushes are flourishing outside the disused door to the goods shed. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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The western end of Groombridge station building, bereft of canopies, pictured on 03.05.1975. Visible underneath the "Groombridge " sign is a stretcher cabinet affixed to the wall, once a common item of first aid equipment at stations. On the right a porter inspects tickets, and detains a passenger whilst he does so. Modern ticket machines do not provide this human interface. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station forecourt probably pictured on Tuesday 01.03.1983, with the station house on the right. There is a post box to the left of the doors, adjacent to a notice about parking. A traditional telephone kiosk stands on the right under the canopy. Outside the station house two Morris Marinas are parked, one of which is jacked up. Those who remember these cars will know that they spent much of their time jacked up or rusting. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The eastbound platform at Groombridge Station, probably pictured on Tuesday 01.03.1983. The station house is on the left and the booking hall on the right. Posters tell travellers about Sealink and encourage you to "Ride It By Rail". Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station booking hall and station house probably photographed in June 1983. The notice on the closed doors reads "When the exit is closed please use the side gate". The gate, which is out of shot on the left, would later become the entrance to the Spa Valley Railway. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station, looking east, in a picture probably taken in June 1983. The position of the subway passing under the line is obvious, and the (relatively modern) signal box stands at the east end of the platforms. On the right the westbound loop line has been lifted. I would be interested to know why a subway was preferred to a footbridge at this station. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1306 leaving Groombridge Station with a service for Eridge, probably pictured in June 1983. There being no other viable location, the Spa Valley Railway would later construct their station roughly on the site of the eastbound line, leaving the singled westbound line through the platform. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The forecourt of Groombridge Station probably photographed on Sunday 03.07.1983. On the left the weeds could do with a trim, and the Morris Marina is still parked outside the station house. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1037 calls at Groombridge Station on Monday 15.08.1983 with a Tonbridge service. These units were the former main line London to Hastings "Buffet" units (classified "6B"), but the Buffet coaches were removed around 1980 as they were in poor condition (the Buffet coaches were subsequently scrapped). The units were then reclassified as "5L" and were employed on other duties for a period. This unit was disbanded in November 1985 and the coaches allocated elsewhere. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1034 calls at Groombridge on Thursday 12.04.1984 with a Tonbridge Service. As can be seen the unit is running as a "5L" unit with five coaches and the Buffet car that was previously part of the formation has been removed. The unit was returned to a six car "6L" formation in November 1985 before being withdrawn in April 1986. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Goods Shed, pictured on Thursday 12.04.1984. Trains entered the goods yard from the eastern end of the station. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Wearing the familiar "31" headcode 1307 departs from Groombridge Station heading for Eridge in a picture possibly taken on Thursday 26 or Friday 27.04.1984. The nine car formation is unusual and not likely to be justified by the number of passengers. It is possible that stock was being moved and the train would split at Eridge; it would certainly not fit into the bay platform usually used by these services. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
An unusual westbound movement through Groombridge Station on Thursday 03.05.1984, as the photographer catches the weed killing train going about its business, headed by 33004. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The forecourt of Groombridge Station photographed at some time between 22.07.1984 and 11.08.1984. The two Morris Marinas are still in front of the station house, but the one on the right is no longer jacked up. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Goods Shed pictured on Tuesday 02.10.1984, looking east. There is an unusual amount of rubble on the former trackbed around the shed, but it is not clear whether something has been demolished or if it has arrived via fly-tipping. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
A very unusual visitor to Groombridge on Tuesday 02.10.1984 as 33042 heads west with the Pullman stock of the "Orient Express". To leave the signalman in no doubt the driver has put up an "OE" headcode. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The eastbound platform at Groombridge Station, pictured looking east on Saturday 20.10.1984. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The eastbound platform at Groombridge Station, pictured looking west on Saturday 20.10.1984. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station, pictured looking east on Saturday 20.10.1984. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The former Groombridge Station goods yard, pictured looking east on Saturday 20.10.1984. There is still a pile of coal in the distance, suggesting that the local coal merchant has been forced to revert to road transport. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Goods Shed, pictured looking east on Saturday 20.10.1984. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1309 makes its way from Eridge towards Groombridge Station in a picture probably taken on Saturday 12.01.1985. There has been a light fall of snow in the cutting but it has barely covered the sleepers. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
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1309 waits to depart from Groombridge Station in a picture probably taken on Saturday 12.01.1985. The staff have been busy clearing the eastbound platform, but the westbound platform only has a short area at the exit from the subway cleared. No doubt they would have done it before 1309 returned from Tonbridge. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
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Groombridge Station forecourt probably pictured on Saturday 19.01.1985. There has obviously been a further fall of snow and it is looking very icy. The usual two Morris Marinas are outside the station house. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1310 leaves Groombridge Station in a photo probably taken on Saturday 01.06.1985. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1306 runs west from Groombridge Station on Saturday 29.06.1985, heading for Eridge. It is hard to imagine that this overgrown cutting would eventually become the site for the Spa Valley Railway station. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge goods shed pictured on Saturday 29.06.1985 looking rather overgrown and dilapidated. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
It is the last day of services on the line (06.07.1985) but trains could not run to and from Tonbridge owing to engineering work. 1311 and 1317 are at Groombridge on the 11:20 from Tunbridge Wells Central, which is carrying an appropriate headboard. The former westbound loop is already looking overgrown but a single line on roughly the same alignment would be re-born as the Spa Valley Railway. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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Groombridge Station on Saturday 06.07.1985, the final day of passenger services. 1317 leads 1311 into the eastbound platform carrying an appropriate headboard. The two units provided the majority of the services that day. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
1311 leads 1317 west from Groombridge Station towards Eridge with one of the final passenger services on Saturday 06.07.1985. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
With faces at almost every window 1311 leads 1317 west from Groombridge Station towards Eridge with one of the final passenger services on Saturday 06.07.1985. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station in late September 1985, with the line closed but the track still in situ. Services on the line would be re-born as the Spa Valley Railway, but the majority of the station would subsequently be demolished. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
Groombridge Station pictured on Saturday 09.05.1987, with the booking hall boarded up but the station house still in use as a dwelling. The post box has been removed from the wall adjacent to the booking office door, and the hole it used to occupy bricked up. However clearly someone thought there would still be a demand for the telephone box. A Ford Escort is outside the station house, and on the left is (I think) a Sunbeam Alpine. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
The closed Groombridge Station, looking east on Saturday 09.05.1987. The station signs have been removed, weeds are growing in the platform surface, and the track is rusting. A very sad sight. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
In what (I think) was one of the worst planning decisions imaginable, as much housing as was physically possible was squeezed onto the site of Groombridge Station east of the booking hall, and virtually the whole of the station was demolished. The houses are seen here under construction on Friday 26.03.1993. Fortunately the Spa Valley Railway was given a tiny strip of land on the edge of the site in order to pass through, but trains inevitably run very close to the houses. Any chance of using the platform outside the booking hall as a stopping place was lost by this development. An excellent example of how NOT to do things. Nick Bailey retains all rights to this image.
