Edenbridge Station (SER), Little Browns Tunnel and Crowhurst Junction
All the stations opened with the line on 26 May 1842, with the exception of Nutfield and Leigh, which are covered in their respective galleries.
Separate collections cover (a) Tonbridge Station; (b) Leigh Station; (c) Penshurst Station; (d) Edenbridge Station; (e) Godstone Station; (f) Nutfield Station ; and (g) Redhill Station.
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Edenbridge Station, looking west on 30.01.1966. The platforms were staggered, with a foot crossing for passengers between them. The main station building, of wooden construction, is on the right (north side) and a signal box stands at the western end of the platforms with the Starting signal in the Off position. On the left are the points to a long siding on the south (westbound) side of the line, and a trolley stands in a small area of line attached to trap points. Behind the trolley is a small building shaped like a shed which was the original signal box, subsequently converted for use by the staff. Note the luggage and mail trolleys nearest the camera; there was substantial mail traffic on the line. There are lovely, ornate, swan-necked gas lamps. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The reverse of the previous image of Edenbridge Station, now looking east on 30.01.1966. Nearest the camera is a small wooden shelter for westbound passengers, and on the left are the remains of the cattle dock in the goods yard. The track serving the dock has been lifted but some sleepers are still stacked in the area and the distinct colours of a buffer stop can be seen (even if the picture is in black and white). A ground signal controls entry into the long siding and, beyond it, there is another ground signal that controls a cross-over between the two running lines. There were two running line cross-overs at Edenbridge, the second is behind the camera. Also note the tall and rather heavily loaded telegraph poles; plenty of wires along this line. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
The signal box at Edenbridge Station, pictured on 11.01.1969. It is obviously chilly in January and the well-organised signalman has brought coal for his stove in a wheelbarrow. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
If the image of the signal box above is greatly enlarged a clock can be seen through the upper right window pane. This is the Edenbridge Signal Box clock, which is now in private ownership (with supporting documentation). 19.03.2021
The carriage cleaners have let us down, and a rather grimy "tadpole" unit, 1206, arrives at Edenbridge with the 12:46 service from Tonbridge on Saturday 11.01.1969. The "tadpole" units were so named having been made up from a narrow bodied motor coach and trailer from old Hastings line stock, and a surplus (wider) driving trailer from former EPB electric stock. In practice the wider trailer was usually locked and had many seats removed to allow space for the extensive mail bag traffic on the line. It could be said that these units were the railways "make do and mend" of the era. In the background the westbound home signal is still raised, and three years after it was first pictured the trolley is still in the area of the trap points. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
A young enthusiast watches as an unidentified Class 33 enters Edenbridge with an eastbound service on Saturday 11.01.1969, hauling a van and three Mk.1 coaches. The headcode tells us it is a Reading to Tonbridge train via Redhill, and curiously that headcode was only used for eastbound trains (westbound trains used 88). On the right a new fence has been erected to screen off the area of the former goods yard. Beyond the signal box a ground signal controls a set of cross-over points. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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The former cattle dock at Edenbridge, standing isolated from track and fenced off on 11.01.1969. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The wooden waiting shelter on the westbound platform at Edenbridge Station in 1969. A passenger very kindly demonstrates how to use it in the days before bus shelters appeared. Note the ornate swan-necked lamp standards (no cheap concrete rubbish here), and the old style totems naming the station. The scene is slightly spoiled by a bright yellow (new) rubbish bin, but luckily this picture is in black and white. In the background there is a milepost on the platform. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
"Tadpole" 1202 enters Edenbridge with a westbound service heading towards Redhill on Wednesday 04.06.1969. Someone has finally moved the trolley from the area of the trap points, and the long siding appears to need an application of weedkiller. On the left is "Exhibit A", a yellow litter bin. Somewhere there was a man rushing around the network with a lorry load of them. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
The main station building at Edenbridge, pictured in June 1969, when it was looking a little less than clean. The wooden framed building was located on the north side of the line. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Edenbridge station, looking east, pictured circa 1970 by John Clark, about a year before it was demolished. The wooden main building screens the station forecourt from view, and in the foreground is the passenger foot crossing, together with a prominent warning that "Passengers cross the line at their own risk". On the eastbound platform some of the ornate gas lamps have been replaced by new lamp columns supporting fluorescent tube lighting. In the distance both the eastbound Starting signal and westbound Home signal are at danger, and the cross-over is still in situ and controlled by a ground signal. Someone has applied weedkiller to the long siding, but the phantom trolley has appeared again beyond the trap points. John Clark retains all rights to this image.
1201 enters Edenbridge on Sunday 15.10.1972, heading for Redhill. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
33054 (formerly D6572) hauls TRU9 (a track relaying machine) westbound through Edenbridge on Sunday 13.06.1976. The locomotive, which is carrying small ploughs, did not survive into preservation. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Edenbridge Station on Sunday 13.06.1976. 1202 has reached the limit of eastbound travel owing to engineering works, and is about to cross to the westbound line to form a shuttle service to Redhill. It will use the cross-over at the west end of the station to achieve this and is already carrying a headcode at the western end of the train. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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A Wickham trolley at Edenbridge on 26.06.1977, and (guess what) that small trolley has got itself in the picture again.... Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Who remembers these? A British Rail Leyland lorry at Edenbridge on 26.06.1977. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
Edenbridge Station on Sunday 22.07.1990, and L575 is reversing and about to return to Redhill owing to engineering works between here and Tonbridge. It is the era of Network South East and the unit is in the appropriate livery. In contrast to the very smart yellow front end the destination blind is rather grimy, but "Redhill" can just be seen. A man with a red paint brush has also been rushing from station to station painting every lamp standard that he can find in corporate colours. Determined to prevent the reappearance of the small trolley, managers have removed the track beyond the trap points. Eric Kemp retains all rights to this image.
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Edenbridge Station, looking east on 11.04.1995. By then the line had been electrified, resulting in the removal of the board crossing for passengers. A new footbridge spans the platforms. The station building had been demolished in 1971 and rudimentary shelters provided. Behind the new fence on the left a siding ran towards the site of the footbridge, and the former goods dock can still be seen behind it. Bulky VDUs by the footbridge provided the train information. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Looking east from the westbound platform at Edenbridge Station on 11.04.1995. There were originally goods facilities on the north side of the station, but the value of the land for housing was obvious. The first signs of the high density housing that would occupy the area were appearing. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Looking east from the westbound platform at Edenbridge Station, from a slightly different angle, on 11.04.1995. Looking down the line there was still a long siding on the south side of the line and a cross over had been retained to serve the siding and to allow trains to reverse. Passengers were urged to "Mind the Step" as the platforms were a little low. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Edenbridge Station looking west from the eastbound platform on 11.04.1995. The eastbound platform had open-sided brick shelters and the large satellite dish was part of the system that then provided train information. The points to the long siding are on the left. Graffiti has been edited from this image; tags do not appear on this website. John Attfield retains all rights to this image.
Edenbridge Station looking east from the westbound platform on 03.04.2005. In the distance, just below the footbridge, points are still in place serving the long siding on the south side of the track. The cross-over also remains in situ to allow trains to reverse or access the siding. Nearer to the camera, adjacent to the shelter, there has been obvious subsidence and there is a noticeable dip in the platform. Accordingly "Mind the Step" legends are painted on the platform.
Edenbridge Station, looking west from the end of the platform on 03.04.2005. There is a second cross-over at the western end of the station which has a more polished appearance, suggesting more regular use. The cross-over is not signalled but the station is frequently used to reverse trains during engineering works.
Edenbridge Station looking east along the line from the end of the platform on 03.04.2005. On the right is the long siding, with its buffers adjacent to the signal. The track in the siding appears to be covered by earth and weeds in places, suggesting that the siding may no longer be in use.
Edenbridge Station in 2022, looking east along the eastbound platform from the footbridge. The long siding on the southern side of the formation has been lifted although the former position of the track remains obvious. 27.02.2022 18331
Looking east from the footbridge at Edenbridge Station, towards automatic signal AD507. Directly to the right of the signal, across the track, is the former buffer stop of the long siding. The buffer stop backs on to a road, the B2027, which passes under the railway via a very small arched bridge at this point. The parapet of the bridge is overgrown, and is not obvious in this image. 27 02 2022 18333
Looking east, with a slightly longer focus, from the footbridge at Edenbridge Station towards an overbridge at Medhurst Row, which carries a very minor road. There is actually a level crossing between the station and the bridge, serving a "No Through Road" which goes to Medhurst Row, but the image is too hazy to see it. 27.02.2022 18335
Looking east from the footbridge at Edenbridge Station, along the line of the former siding. 27.02.2022 18349
377307 stands at the eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station with a service for Tonbridge. The photographer is standing directly above the site of the westbound long siding. 27.02.2022 18359
377307 leaves the eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station with a service for Tonbridge. The photographer is standing directly above the site of the westbound long siding. The northern entrance to the station and part of the forecourt are to the left of the rear of the train. 27.02.2022 21307
Looking east from the footbridge at Edenbridge Station, as 377307 departs with a train to Tonbridge. 27.02.2022 18360
377307 passes automatic signal AD507 as it leaves Edenbridge Station. The front of the train is about to pass over the small arch that carries the B2027 under the line, but you can see nothing of the bridge from the railway. 27.02.2022 18362
Automatic signal AD507 reverts to red as 377307 leaves Edenbridge Station with a service to Tonbridge. 27.02.2022 18364
Looking east with a long lens from Edenbridge Station past automatic signal AD507. The overbridge about two miles away is at Medhurst Row and carries a very minor country lane. There is a level crossing about a mile away, serving buildings around Lockhurst, but it is quite difficult to see the raised barrier unless the image is expanded. On the right of the two running lines is the end of a long siding that ran east from the station. The track has been lifted but the buffer stop remains in situ just to the left of the two grey apparatus cases that are sited close together. Directly behind the buffer stop is the parapet of the tiny arched bridge that carries the B2027 to Four Elms under the railway. The arch was adequate for carts in 1842 but only does cars and small vans in the 21st century. 27.02.2022 18365
Looking east from Edenbridge Station past automatic signal AD507, which will return to green when the line is clear. The site of the lifted long siding is on the right of the running lines. The inverted triangle showing "40" is an advance warning of a speed restriction. 27.02.2022 18368
Still looking from the eastern end of Edenbridge Station but reducing the zoom, more of the lifted long siding can be seen on the right. 27.02.2022 18369
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. 27.02.2022 18373
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. 27.02.2022 18374
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. 27.02.2022 18375
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. 27.02.2022 18379
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. The front of the train is crossing the bridge that carries the railway over the B2026 road through Edenbridge; the railings of the bridge can be seen to the right. The arch below is quite narrow; those who built the railway in 1842 did not know about articulated lorries. 27.02.2022 18380
377316 approaches Edenbridge Station with a train bound for Redhill. 27.02.2022 18381
Looking east along part of the eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station. The picture shows the site of the (very) long siding on the right, and through the trees there is a glimpse of the industrial estate that stands near the station. 27.02.2022 21317
Looking west along the eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station, with the end of the lifted long siding on the left. The siding left the westbound line via trailing points, and there was a cross-over between the two running lines adjacent to the platform. 27.02.2022 21316
The position, east of the westbound platform at Edenbridge Station, where the points to the long siding were formerly sited. 27 02 2022 21304
The eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station, with part of the northern entrance and forecourt on the left. On the platform the fronts of the two brick shelters that formerly stood on the platform have been bricked up, to form a closed Network Rail building to which the public do not have access. In substitution a glass shelter has been added to the platform. 27.02.2022 21282
The eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station with its glass bus shelter, some new seating and very well stocked rubbish containers. 27.02.2022 21308
The bus shelter on the eastbound platform at Edenbridge Station. There are shelters to this design elsewhere on the line and it is hard to understand why the roof is elevated from the sides; it just lets in the wind and the rain. 27.02.2022 21309