Ashurst Station

Railways came to this area relatively late, and it was not until 10 March 1884 that the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company opened the adjacent line that ran from Oxted to East Grinstead. Subsequently a junction was created south of Hurst Green (then a simple railway halt taking a maximum of two carriages).

A line was then constructed from the Hurst Green junction south through Edenbridge (called Edenbridge Town from 1 May 1896), Hever, Cowden and Ashurst to join with the existing line from East Grinstead through Withyham to Tunbridge Wells. This line opened to passengers on 1 October 1888.

However in those days all services were directed towards Tunbridge Wells and it was not until 7 June 1914 that direct services travelled south from Ashurst towards Uckfield.Text.

SCROLL DOWN to view the pictures. Click here to return to the main website index page.

The single line from Hever through Cowden ends just north of Willetts Bridge, this view north showing the points where double track restarts. 09.04.2008
Pulling the camera lens back this is the actual view north from Willetts Bridge. 09.04.2008
Looking south from Willetts Bridge with a long lens a northbound Turbostar waits at the main signal (seen just below the train's headlight). Beyond the main signal (nearer the camera) is the rear of a SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal. These signals are more clearly illustrated in the collections for Hever and Crowborough stations. No SPAD signal was fitted at the time of the Cowden collision. 09.04.2008
Looking south towards Ashurst from Willetts Bridge. A 171 Turbostar has just left the single line section and the northbound train waits to proceed. 09.04.2008
Looking north from Ashurst station in the direction of Willetts Bridge in 2003. The main station building had, by then, been demolished and the site (on the right behind the metal fence) is used for a small car park. 18.04.2003
This view north from the station, also taken in 2003, shows the bridges directly adjacent to the station. The nearest is the road bridge over the A264 and next the bridge over the River Medway, which flows directly past the station on the western side and then crosses under the railway to head east. The final bridge in shot is an accommodation bridge to allow farm animals to pass under the railway. 18.04.2003
A later picture taken in 2006 shows that the Southern colour scheme and signs have appeared. The brick shed on the right is the only part of the original station buildings that survives. The area on the right was originally occupied by a station house, booking hall, canopy and platform lever frame for the points and signals. 19.03.2006
A view north with a longer lens shows, in the far distance, the red signal protecting the entrance to the single line section that starts north of Ashurst station and continues to Hever. The SPAD signal and Willetts Bridge (previously featured) are out of sight around the bend. 19.03.2006
The same view in 2007 with a slightly longer lens. On 15 October 1994 signal OD58 seen in the distance in advance of Willetts Bridge was passed at red by the 08.00 Uckfield to Oxted train, which then ran through (and broke) the points and entered the single line section. Just south of Cowden it collided with the oncoming 08.04 Oxted to Uckfield service which was correctly within the section. The reason why the driver passed the signal will never be known as he and the guard (who was riding in the front cab) were both killed, together with the other driver and two passengers. A memorial to those who lost their lives is at Cowden station. 02.04.2007
A view north down the line from Ashurst station again showing signal OD58. At the time of the Cowden rail crash the weather was foggy but the line is straight at this point and should have provided adequate sighting. In 1994 the signal had no supplementary SPAD (Signal Passed At Danger) warning signal although one has since been provided and technology has advanced since the collision. The enquiry into the accident considered that the signal met the signalling standards that then existed. 02.04.2007
A wider view shows that by 2007 the northbound platform had been refurbished with a tactile strip, and the car park had been given a proper tarmac surface. The base of the Cab Secure Radio antenna tower can be seen on the right. 02.04.2007
This view south taken in 1998 from the southbound platform shows the neglected state of the station. The platform surface is poor, the fence broken, and trees and shrubs are spreading on to the adjacent platform. 10.10.1998
Another view of the station from 1998, but this time looking north from the southern end of the platform. The weeds are attempting to take over. This was typical of the more remote stations on the line at the time. 10.10.1998
Another view south five years later in 2003. The broken fence has been taken down on the left and replaced by a temporary metal version protecting the gravel car park. There is a new fence and lights on the northbound platform, but unfortunately they appeared to be on all day. So much for saving energy. 18.04.2003
Another view south from the northbound platform in 2003 shows the small (and rather quiet) car park. The hole under the platform marks the position where point and signal cables used to emerge from the lever frame that was on the platform. 18.04.2003
Ashurst Station looking south in 2006. The station is in a rural location and attracts few passengers. Those that do travel have a bus shelter to protect them from adverse weather. In common with other stations the footbridge did not get the benefit of a repaint into Southern colours. 19.03.2006
More or less the same view in 2007 with the historic shed on the left and rather more vehicles in the car park. 02.04.2007
A most unusual picture from 1998 with two Thumper units both running on the wrong line as a result of engineering work. Passengers were required to change trains at Ashurst. 205018 is about to depart north to Oxted on the southbound line, and 205032 will shortly leave southbound for Uckfield on the northbound line. By an amazing coincidence both of these units were involved in the Cowden rail crash. 205018 was the leading unit of the Up train and 205032 was the second unit in the Down train. 205032 was not significantly damaged, but the leading coach of 205018 was destroyed. 10.10.1998
A second view of 205018 and 205032 waiting to depart wrong line from Ashurst. 205018 (nearest the camera) was the other way round at the time of the Cowden accident, with it's motor coach at the Uckfield (south) end of the train. In this view the train has it's driving trailer at the south end, and the coach in view must be a replacement for the destoyed coach. 10.10.1998
The same view as the previous picture, but without the trains in shot. In 2006 the environment is a little more tidy. 19.03.2006
A view north from the northbound platform in 2003. The grass could do with some attention. As far as I can ascertain the northbound platform never had a canopy. 18.04.2003
Another view north from the northbound platform, with the Cab Secure Radio mast clearly shown. They have cut the grass and refurbished the platform surface. 19.03.2006
Another view in 2007, with things looking quite tidy and a revised timetable in operation. 02.04.2007
In 2007 the Thumpers are long gone, and replaced by smart Class 171 units. 171723 leads a train in from London, en route to Uckfield. It is a pity that there were no passengers waiting... 02.04.2007
Looking south from Ashurst towards Eridge and Uckfield. 19.03.2006
Moving the camera slightly to the left the area behind the wooden fence marks the site of a two platform bay where trains from the south terminated, and from which services would set out towards the now closed Tunbridge Wells line. One line was directly behind the fence, then there was an island platform, and finally another track. The levels of the adjacent land have now changed (see subsequent pictures). 19.03.2006
Aother view south taken in 2007. Directly behind the shelter on the right the land falls rapidly away and the River Medway flows alongside the station at a lower level. 02.04.2007
An engineer's access leads out from the site of the old bay platforms, and 171802 leads a northbound train across the boards en route to London. A signal box originally stood just to the right of the front of the train. 02.04.2007
The chance delivery of some materials gave the opportunity to take this shot of the gates that now control the engineers access, but which was originally the trackbed to one of the two bay platforms. The formation of the island platform and the other bay is no longer distinct. 02.04.2007
Looking south from Ashurst station towards an accommodation bridge which carries a private unmade farm track. On the right of the operational lines a siding used to extend south from the station, terminating at the bridge. The siding appears in a 1961 photograph of the bridge. 18.04.2003
A second view of the bridge showing the distant signal that protects the entry to the single track section through Eridge station. 02.04.2007
A closer view of the bridge with a longer lens. Further south the former up line is used as a single track section through Eridge station and towards Crowborough, The former down line is still in situ beyond Birchden and is now used by the Spa Valley Railway to gain access to Eridge station. An interchange has been provided there to allow passengers to join the Heritage line. The Spa Valley Railway's extension to Eridge is in a separate collection. 02.04.2007