[Misc] Disused railway stations of Sussex

[kevo]

While it's true that some lines were unviable, the sheer scale of the Beeching cuts was scandalous. The single biggest act of vandalism inflicted on this country apart from Brexit. It has made Britain immeasurably worse in so many ways. And the transport minister at the time had private stakes in a road building company.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

A couple of Mates and I used to get off at Southease and Rodmell to fish in the Ouse.
Wonder if that is still around.

Yes the Ouse is still there!

I had a mate whose family home was at Southease, an absolutely amazing place, quite literally in the middle of nowhere, a beautiful part of Sussex, still almost untouched by urban development.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

A couple of Mates and I used to get off at Southease and Rodmell to fish in the Ouse.
Wonder if that is still around.

Southease station is still there and in use.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

I wrote a little piece on the Bradshaws directory a while back. If you love disused railways, you may want to source a reprint. You'll get lost for hours.

Bradshaws Brighton- The Golden Age Of Rail (1938)

Above Picture-Railway Magazine- September 1951 For most of us, the 1930s is a time that can only be seen through the lens of an old camera. Where everything is black and white, and any rare colour…

queensparkchronicles.wordpress.com

Even the ABC Railway Guide, a much more recent publication, is almost a work of fiction now. I still have a copy dating back to 1972, and plenty of long forgotten routes and services in that.

 

[The Clamp]

Some more obscure West Sussex ones here;

Looking back at some of West Sussex's train stations

Much of the area's railway heritage has been left behind in the form of disused platforms, tracks and even stationmaster's houses

www.getsurrey.co.uk

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Some more obscure West Sussex ones here;

Looking back at some of West Sussex's train stations

Much of the area's railway heritage has been left behind in the form of disused platforms, tracks and even stationmaster's houses

www.getsurrey.co.uk

They didn't leave Henfield station house, where my Uncle Charlie used to live. I find it heartbreaking to see the houses built there now. Only the steps down remain. His beautiful vegetable patch and lovely orchard all ripped out.

 

[BN9 BHA]

Yes the Ouse is still there!

I had a mate whose family home was at Southease, an absolutely amazing place, quite literally in the middle of nowhere, a beautiful part of Sussex, still almost untouched by urban development.

I walk my dog there along the riverbank, very peaceful

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Whilst I too am fond of looking back at the past and wondering what would these lines be like now, it should be noted that many were opened over 140 years ago, years before cars had arrived. Would people still use these lines now though? Indeed, with the lines full at the moment, how would they fit in a Victoria or LB to Ashurst or Heathfield service?

140 years ago pre-dated cars but also pre-dated bicycle transport - yes we had the penny-farthing but a mile on one of them was enough and hills of any incline were "get-off and push" [no gears or brakes].

The other big factor was commuting - the vast majority of folk worked in the town or village where they lived so transport was seldom required.

 

[A1X]

Why were they shut - presumably not used enough to be viable, so why weren't they used much - just because of the car?

Different reasons. Some local lines were hugely unprofitable, served tiny communities and still would (e.g. Bluebell south of Horsted Keynes), some were shut for housing / road building (Lewes to Uckfield, Horsham to Shoreham), some because the primary traffic dried up (mostly agriculture going to road transport) and some because they were just a bit difficult as lines around them were upgraded (Tunbridge Wells to Eridge).

 

[LANGDON SEAGULL]

I remember the daily 0918 service from Brighton to Manchester very well. In the late 1980's when l was regularly watching the Albion play away, l often used to take that train to many of our games in the north west to avoid having to change trains, (and stations), in London.

The problem was that it didn't take the direct route north, travelling west of London, stopping at many obscure intermediate stations, and more often than not by the time we pulled into Manchester Piccadilly it was way behind schedule, hence valuable drinking time lost pre match, and on occasion missing the kick off too.

I remember getting the Brighton to Cardiff service to away games at Bristol etc in the 90s. Used to go along the coast then go up through Salisbury and Trowbridge