Godstone Station, William's Siding and Bletchingley Tunnel
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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William's Siding, west of Godstone. In shot are the two running lines, plus part of the trailing connection from the eastbound line, which (obviously) crosses the westbound line to reach the siding. Just to the right of the concrete blocks is the remaining part of the headshunt which ran east. This has clearly been truncated although two signals were still in position which would have controlled egress from the headshunt. Nearer to the camera is a two aspect colour light signal (marked "7") installed at ground level, which would have authorised departure on to the main line. It was still showing a red light even though the track it served had been lifted. Next to it is a colour light shunt signal which would have displayed two white lights to authorise moves toward the track that entered the works. It displays no aspect unless cleared because the main red light otherwise sufficed. Plainly these signals were defunct even if still alight. 26 02 2022 21233
A very slightly different angle at William's Siding, which shows a little more of the trailing connection from the eastbound line. 26.02.2022 21234 E
Another attempt to show the eastbound trailing connection at William's Siding but frankly it was next to impossible. To the left of the camera (out of shot) the view was completely blocked, but the trailing connection leads into a short loop south of the running lines, which, in turn, exits again on to the westbound line via trailing points. The loop is not long enough to hold anything other than engineers machinery (if required) but it was extremely difficult to tell if it was ever used. The ground signals on the running lines to control such a move are still alight. 26.02.2022 21235
The eastern portal of Bletchingley Tunnel with abseilers inspecting the brickwork during a possession. There is an electricity sub-station supplying the line on the south side of the track. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8048
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession, with one of the ventilation shafts above. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 1495
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession, looking up at one of the ventilation shafts. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 1517
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 1489
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. The tunnel is equipped with LED lighting for the whole length, which can be turned on as required. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 1515
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession, with another ventilation shaft above. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8822
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. These are mineral deposits on the south side of the tunnel near the western portal. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 3472
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. These are mineral deposits on the north side of the tunnel near the western portal. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8818
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. The base of the tunnel is clay, and this produces an effect known as "pumping" where the wet material rises up through the ballast upon which the track is laid. Rectifying this can be the source of much work. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8811
Inside Bletchingley Tunnel, using time lapse photography from a static camera as services resume after a possession. That is (or was) a Class 377. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8823
The western portal of Bletchingley Tunnel during a possession. The Victorian open drains that brought water down from above the portal can be seen on both sides of the track. The tunnel itself is drained by pumping, the pipe discharging into a large drain out of shot on the left. This just looks like a large grid. Adrian Backshall retains all rights to this image. 8222
The western portal of Bletchingley Tunnel (Nutfield end) viewed from the overbridge near Kennels Farm. 26.02.2022 18297
The western portal of Bletchingley Tunnel (Nutfield end) viewed from the overbridge near Kennels Farm with a longer lens. A fence had been erected on the right to allow some work to take place near the tunnel. 26.02.2022 18300
The western portal of Bletchingley Tunnel (Nutfield end) viewed from the overbridge near Kennels Farm with a long lens. The tunnel is 1327 yards long. The signal in advance of the tunnel mouth is T503R, effectively a distant signal for T503 beyond the tunnel. If the image is expanded a red ground signal can be seen through the tunnel controlling the trailing points from the eastbound line which serve William's Siding. 26.02.2022 18298
Looking west from the overbridge near Kennels Farm, towards Nutfield. 26.02.2022 18303
Looking west from the overbridge near Kennels Farm with a longer lens. The bridge in the distance carries the M23 motorway over the railway and beyond it is the footbridge at Nutfield Station. 26.02.2022 18301