Monks Lane Halt (Closed) and Little Browns Tunnel

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 nearby 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.

For very many years all services coming south from Ashurst and east from the Withyham line turned towards Tunbridge Wells. Passengers were required to change at Groombridge to go south towards Eridge. Although a direct line was constructed between "Ashurst Junction" and "Birchden Junction" (north of Eridge) 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, from 1914, a triangle of operational lines was formed in the area. More information about this appears in the Spa Valley Railway index.

Monks Lane Halt no longer exists. The halt was opened on 1 July 1907 in the expectation that residential development would occur as it did further north at Hurst Green. In the event the houses never came and the halt closed on 11 September 1939. It reopened during the war to serve nearby army camps. This collection shows the site of the halt and some very small relics of the platforms. It also includes the unusual Little Browns Tunnel (sometimes called Edenbridge Tunnel).

Separate collections cover (a) Monks Lane Halt (closed) and Little Browns Tunnel; (b) Edenbridge Town Station; (c) Hever Station; (d) Cowden Station and Markbeech Tunnel; (e) Ashurst Station; (f) Eridge Station (covered in the Spa Valley Railway Index); (g) Crowborough Station and Crowborough Tunnel; (h) Buxted Station, Sleeches Viaduct and Greenhurst Viaduct; and (i) Uckfield Station.

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The site of Monks Lane Halt, which was opened on 1 July 1907 in the expectation that residential development would occur as it did further north at Hurst Green. In the event the houses never came and the halt closed on 11 September 1939. It reopened during the war to serve nearby army camps. 09.04.2008
The halt was a wooden structure taking, at most, two carriages. and not surprisingly all trace of it has disappeared. However the concrete supports of the northbound waiting shelter (a metal shed) can be seen behind the gray apparatus case. 09.04.2008
On the southbound side of the track it is difficult even to see the supports of the waiting shelter, with just one remaining. 09.04.2008
171801 travels south towards the site of the halt en route to Edenbridge Town and Uckfield. 09.04.2008
I suspect that the graffiti artists in this case are in fact Network Rail, but quite why each of the bridge pillars is so marked is not clear. The tree stands at the point at which a path would have led down to the northbound platform. 09.04.2008
On the eastern side of the bridge (north side) a path down to track level still exists, but it is only used as a staff access via a locked gate. 09.04.2008
Looking north from Monks Lane Bridge the track curves away towards the electrified line at Hurst Green. 09.04.2008
An eight car Turbostar consisting of 171806 (front) and 171805 (rear) heads north to form a rush-hour service back from London Bridge. 09.04.2008
Now looking south from Monks Lane Bridge 171806 approaches the bridge with a northbound train. 09.04.2008
A clear view south from Monks Lane Bridge and in the far distance the north portal of the very unusual Little Browns Tunnel can just be seen. 09.04.2008
Looking south with a much longer lens the north portal of Little Browns Tunnel can be seen more clearly. Within the tunnel the grey girders of a bridge can just be made out (see later). Note how the track dips and rises up again to go under the bridge. 09.04.2008
And how long might you have to wait for this shot? 171806 emerges from the tunnel northbound, whilst 171801 enters the tunnel travelling south. My regards to the respective drivers for immaculate timing!! 09.04.2008.
The highly unusual Little Browns Tunnel is actually two tunnels; the tunnel being split in half by the Redhill to Tonbridge line which crosses what would otherwise be the roof of the tunnel on a bridge. This view looks east towards Tonbridge as the Uckfield line breaks out of Little Browns Tunnel, goes under the bridge, and returns to the tunnel.
The north portal of the southern part of the tunnel. There is no pedestrian connection between the two lines for staff. A smart wooden fence was originally provided to guard the drop, but it has subsequently been replaced. 09.04.2008
The south portal of the northern half of Little Browns Tunnel, seen from the Redhill to Tonbridge line. There is an obvious dip in the track as the line passes under the overbridge. 09.04.2008