I lived in Crowborough up to the age of 21. When I was very young my mother and I travelled regularly to Uckfield by train to visit my grandmother. I have happy memories of that foot bridge at what was then called Crowborough & Jarvis Brook station. I would stand on the down side platform and look up the line under the bridge and hope to be the first to spot the steam engine approaching from around the distant curve out of Eridge station. On some fine days we would catch the train right through to Brighton and the seaside; it was much later that the line was cut and terminated at Uckfield. Happy days! Thanks Geoff.
This line used to be a semi-regular treat for me - from Croydon to Uckfield, and then back again the next day. And before Covid, you'd get a pretty regular hourly service all day, with a few half-hourly extras during the peaks, and a required change at Oxted on a Sunday. And it wouldn't be uncommon to see a 10-coach train. It was also not uncommon to see cancellations caused by delays, staff shortages or failed trains. The areas of Crowborough and Uckfield are getting more housing and with the return to some kind or normality, the line is going to need a more regular service. 1 train every 2 hours just doesn't cut it. Chris Gibb made some suggestions, including electrification of the line and adding sidings at Crowborough. As of yet, I don't think any decisions have been made public.
Geoff, the Cowden bird was a Great Tit, very common with a loud repetitive song. Did you also note the wonderful VR letterbox above the mud scrapers? Also, the plaque dedicated to the Cowden rail disaster? Thanks for visiting one of the loveliest stations in Kent (just).
wow. english. a bird called Great Tit. I hesitated googling "great tit bird" but the first result was the correct one. A common bird where i live too...
I am too. But if you mean the bird variety I often hear one producing that kind of song somewhere in the trees near my garden in the summertime,typically in the hours before dusk. As for Crowborough,the name made me expect fields full of crows picking away,then scattering when a human approached.
100% agree about an isolated and quiet station being good for the soul and sanity. One of my favourites to cycle to is Battlesbridge (I know maybe not your favourite branch line). Love being there with some lunch, usually on my own, when the sun is out, with a welcome intrusion of a train every 20 mins or so in alternate directions to remind me the rest of the world is still there, all the time pondering if I cycle off somewhere else or get on one of the trains.
How/why am I so happy with a simple Geoff video... (I know it's not 'simple' a lot of work and talent equals a polished video). But it's such a simple concept, and it brings me so much joy.
Fun fact, the Footbridge that exists at Templecombe Station in Somerset is in fact the Footbridge that had been salvaged from Buxted, so it could be said that a little bit of the Oxted line is in Somerset
Hopefully the old Crowborough footbridge will also be recycled somewhere else. Network Rail apparently have a policy to give structures to heritage railways if they have no further use for them. The old Hertford East signalbox has just been dismantled and I think is heading for Leyburn in Wensleydale.
@@iankemp1131 there's always hope to preserve railway heritage. For example, the existing signal box and lever frame at Ryde St John's Road is a recycled 'box from Waterloo East
Glad you communed with nature at Cowden. I grew up in the woods just to the West of there (In a Cottage). On a still night i could lay in bed and hear the Thumpers go into the tunnel and often hear them come out of the other end. A small point, to the locals it's Cow-den not Cowd'n! If you ever visit again its worth a visit to the tunnel portal that end. You need to cross under the bridge and follow the footpath alongside the line, it splits and goes over the portal. You will then see that the tunnel has two portals as it has been extended by about thirty yards! I think this was done as the Bridleway would not have been able to get behind the original portal. The original portal was invisible behind undergrowth but is now visible due to clearance works that were performed a few years ago. Cowden station was used as a location for a Two Ronnies sketch where it was called Drakes Halt IIRC. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
Thank you for showing Crowborough Station, I was born in Crowborough and remember the steam trains when we went on our annual holidays to the coast in the 1950's. Brought back many memories 👍
Another great video with Geoff suffering for his art... All the direct-to-camera work makes you feel like you are there in person. The part about being out in the countryside and enjoying quiet and nature.. spot on.
I loved this video, Geoff. It was wonderful that you shared your experience in nature at Cowden. I concur completely about the value of getting into nature, and how soothing it can be for us. 🦉🦆🦋🐝🌳
This brings back memories of a Friday night trip to Buxted from London many decades back, followed by an hour's walk along very dark country lanes to Blackboys Youth Hostel, a set of huts in the middle of nowhere, built to accomodate refugees from Spain in 1936, and repurposed as a youth hostel afterwards.
You're absolutely right about nature, and quiet, Geoff. It really calms you down. I live in a place where there is a lot of that, but when I'm lucky enough to visit England, my favourite place is along the River Nidd near Knaresborough.
Just started a new job, me and my new friend bonded over the fact that we both love your videos Geoff. You're bringing humanity together. Credit to you 🙏🏽
Great vid!!! Hever up until around five or six years ago was a sweet and tiny little rural station. They have subsequently somewhat industrialised it creating those MASSIVE platforms prior to which it was a sleepy little station. The railway carriage at Hever is linked to the businesses in the station and (until recently) used to be used as a conference room for the businesses. Really enjoyed the vid, lovely! 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃
Ashurst, it’s a small station and the phone signal isn’t good. About 5 years ago, we were stopped there because the train in at Uckfield had a fault. Someone couldn’t get a signal and walked up the platform, onto the bridge and was talking. Suddenly the train doors all closed and we left, with the poor passenger still on the bridge (and his bag & coat on the train). The Uckfield service can be cruel.
As someone who grew up in Crowborough, it was great to see you exploring the line. It’s always been funny to see how much effort network rail put into it by extending platforms and adding step-free access, then to see it have so few services during off-peak times. Glad they’re future-proofing it though.
@@mirvids5036 The extension of the platforms was purely to accommodate longer 12-carriage trains. It took ages as I recall they did one station at a time. The idea of reopening the line south of Uckfield is fanciful as much of it is in private hands and some stretches of it built on. You could no longer take it into Lewes Station, for example, so couldn't link up with the coastal line.
Geoff Marshall just gonna let you know I was stuck at Crowborough until 5:10pm because of the cancellation of the 4:10pm in this video and I saw this when it was out so yeah but I was actually quite annoyed with the 4:10pm being cancelled and also thanks for visiting my station 1st also known as buxted
Thank you for taking us along on your wonderful trip, Geoff. I enjoyed (your thoughts at) Cowden station so much that I am putting this video in my playlist named "soothing"🧘🏼♀️ and I hope you are well
Geoff you missed a treat at Cowden. Under the bridge and go right at the fence (on the right of your shot at 11:50) and you are on a footpath that goes parallel to the railway and alongside a stream (which eventually flows into the Medway) in the woods. You then turn right and a path takes you over the South portal of the tunnel. Interesting to see because there is what looks like a second retaining wall about 10 yards behind the portal itself.
I too have seen this, it's most puzzling, could this be the original portal and the tunnel was extended due to landslips or suchlike, probably not, but can't really think of any other reason.
Mark Beech tunnel. The additional retaining wall, now partial buried, has to be the original Southern portal. When and why it was realigned and abandoned I'm not sure but there was a delay, of at least a decade between the tunnel being started and trains running, during which the LB&SCR applied to double the track through Mark Beech tunnel. My guess is that the Southern portal was realigned to accommodate the change in 1888.
Crowborough. Most of my family live there, including my 91 year old mother. My brother-in-law repaired the old footbridge there and most of the old footbridges on that branch. The ashdown forest is a big thing there. And it’s a little walk up crowborough hill into the town centre as the station is actually in Jarvis Brook.
Did a pub crawl up this line in the early nineties (we're from Edenbridge). One hour at each stop, Crowborough, Buxted, Eridge, Ashurst (the Bald Faced Stag was still open then), then walk from Cowden station to the Kentish Horse at Mark Beech, tben the Greyhound at Hever then final train back to Edenbridge and back into the King and Queen. Good. Times.
D.B. Did you visit 'Elsie's pub, The Queen's Arms at Cowden Pound? I know she died a few years since, but that pub used to be in a time warp... It hadn't changed in donkeys year back in the day, no till, no optics, no ice, and with a sign outside saying 'Lager Not Sold Here'. The only beer they had on was excellent bitter.
@@trevordance5181 interior is unchanged, it's still totally unspoilt in that regard. You can now sit in the garden or get a pizza but it hasn't changed much
Great video, next time you are heading out tweet about it and we locals can suggest things for you to see/do. Jarvis Brew outside of Crowborough is a great coffee stop, hope you found it. The sign over the River Uck at Uckfield on the signal box is a piece of design genius, cut close in to prevent the addition of a prefix to the river name being added if the sign was the more normal rectangular.
An enjoyable video. Ashdown Forest is of course a place of pilgrimage to Winnie-the-Pooh fans. I remember the long platforms being used when loco-hauled trains operated in the rush hours - around 1973….
Love this. I live near Edenbridge. Cowden is always pronounced Cow Den locally and the station is a long way from the village. Also Hever Station is a long way from Hever.. Edenbridge Town has a mud scraper as well. Wish I had known you were in the area as I would have bought you a pint in my pub, or even a cup of tea if you prefered. keep up the good work Geoff.
They tend to leave the bridges in place as it provides a secondary crossing point which is sometimes useful at rush hour (eg, like at Coulsdon South with the new lifts and bridge at one end of the platform, and the old bridge about half-way down)
And the old bridge at Coulsdon South Station also connects the footpath from Reddown Road to the Brighton Road. You can use that bridge without going through any fare gates thus not entering the station proper.
Very pleasant video, even just seeing Cowden Station makes me feel a sense of calmness, funnily enough I felt relaxed and at peace when I was sat on a bench for almost an hour at North Ealing a month ago (probably my favourite tube station, for it's heritage signage, and country-style ambience, in the heart of suburbia), letting the trains past, soaking up the warm sunshine, listening to the bird song, it was lovely !
Great to see you travelling on our local branch. Living in Langton Green, we're slightly closer to Tunbridge Wells station than Ashurst, but much prefer the latter - listening to birds singing and, on one occasion, watching wild deer grazing in the adjacent field, can't be beaten. It's a good while since we've used trains as we're both clinically slightly vulnerable, but it's considerably cheaper travelling off-peak to London Bridge from Ashurst than it is T Wells, plus the parking is free (or at least it was last time we used it - may have changed now).
Thank You so much Geoff for posting this. Edenbridge was my first home when I left London a few years ago. I spent 3 years there and loved every minute of it. I often would visit all these stations on a regular basis. Groombridge is beautiful too and it’s on the heritage railway. It’s a village in both Sussex and Kent. The high street in Uckfield is lovely and Crowborough has one of the best chippy’s in England you should try.
I think the bird song you might be high-lighting there is the Great Tit with it's characteristic call of 'Teacher, teacher teacher' - it's 2 notes generally repeated 3 times in a short burst but can vary greatly in speed and pitch. Great trip Geoff - very familiar to me and travelled it a great many times - I also recall the news of the crash that sadly killed 5 people just outside Cowden at a head-on collision on the single track working. A shame they got rid of the crossing at Uckfield where all the old buildings still present on the far side of the main road (last tim I visited) and the Lavender line at Isfield - the next stop beyond.
The Great Tit looks much like our Black Capped Chickadee here in the Greet Lakes region of the US. The song is familiar as the Chickadee does a hi-lo followed by a quick chirping “chick-a-dee..dee.dee” hence its’ name.
Love the Spa Valley offering at Eridge Geoff - just a hint of the enjoyment that can be found going south from Tunbridge Wells West. Spent a few happy days there.
I get the peaceful bit Geoff, that's what I love most when I'm out doing my 'along the railway line' series, just that peace and quiet helps the mood, lovely.
Another fantastic video. The truncated uckfield branch is very rural (with the exception of crow borough and uckfield.) had they kept the line between uckfield and Lewes, I suspect it could have been busy with through traffic!
I am pretty sure the coach in the platform of Hever is used to be rented out for meetings or something along those lines. Im close by to the area and looked at one point with my brother to possibly use the coach and station building for a project
Nice to see you visit my regular line, not just me the stupid two hourly service annoys it’s been changing back and forth for last few months very annoying when I need to go to London for an emergency repair visit I’d have invited you in for a cuppa if I knew you were there I work about 30 seconds from Crowborough station :)
My Favourite Things: Julie Andrews - Whiskers on Kittens and Brown paper packages tied up with string. Geoff Marshall - Rainy Day and Forklift in the background.
Greetings from the Bronx. Engaging with nature is the best part of doing landscape photography; if I come back with a half decent photograph, it is an added bonus. But the Uckfield line and it’s stations is also a great way to engage with nature. It looks like you didn’t get off at Uckfield. My brother lives in Uckfield and they did extend the platforms to accommodate 12-coach peak trains pre-pandemic. You can see the trains from his back garden in the distance, about half way between Uckfield and Buxted and I have seen the 12 coach trains running before the pandemic. They were needed, I’ve stood in a rush-hour train from London Bridge before the platform extensions and didn’t get a seat until Crowborough.
Hurst Green is a great example of the southern Exmouth footbridges that are now sadly becoming life expired and being replaced. the station was rebuilt in the 1960s from its original location the other side of the road bridge, the footbridge is in my mind a design masterpiece as it’s modular construction was speedily assembled and has stood the test of time well (how well will the modern replacements last and what will their lifetime maintenance cost come to?)
I've only been to Hever once or twice by train. It was to visit The Greyhound Inn - about a mile walk from the station along country lanes. When walking back to the station (in the dark) I made use of my railway HV orange vest with "retro-reflective" stripes. It certainly got the occasional car driver to slam the anchors on!
An old manager of mine lived down that way and ended up snapping one day and killing his wife. We joke about late trains but it'll wear you down: decades of getting up at 5am and sometimes getting home after 9pm because trains have been canceled. True story btw, Stuart Andrews, look it up. Money troubles too but the commute was all a large part of it, getting in an hour late effing and blinding about it.
What a lovely adventure; that bit about the calm//peace//healing//solitude.....totally resonate and digg that feeling. I often try to find myself in a similar vibe on travels. 🙂 🌳🚃🐦💚😸
The station platforms on the line have been considerably extended within the last 4 years in order to expand the number of 171 units at peak hours. But as we generally don't travel in the peak hours now we're retired I've never actually travelled on a service with more than 6 carriages (4+2). In the past the line was quite badly served in the evening peak and it was often necessary to change at Oxted. There were rumours a few years back that the line beyond Uckfield to Lewes might be reinstated to provided additional London to South Coast capacity, but nothing's ever come of it (so far) I suspect because of cost. I think there used to be far more double-track sections than there are now. Although the 'Thumper' DEMUs used to run most services back in the 60s,70s and 80s, some peak hour services had Mk1 carriages hauled by a Class 33.
Geoff, you are so right about the joys or randomly getting off somewhere in the middle of nowhere. It’s when you get to properly hear your surroundings, and appreciate the chatter of the birds (sounded like a Great Tit but I shan’t make the obvious joke 😜) and things like a local stream or even just the wind blowing through the local woods 😎 When I am driving early mornings, a great compensation for being up at ludicrous o’clock is that when I poke me head out the window, there are few cars about and little in the way of background human activity, so I can hear blackbirds, wrens, robins and all sorts. And it immediately calms me, removes any sign of early morning grouch and if I am on a good day, I’ll start to see other birds as daylight breaks. The other day, I was actually in a slight mood (that’s the equivalent of livid in most people 😂) but when I passed through Low Street Level Crossing, I saw a heron almost swim vertically upwards through the air, and I had barely recovered from that when within seconds I saw an early morning buzzard wheel majestically to port as he or she scanned the field near Coal Road foot crossing for a morning snack 😍 And suddenly it turned from a crappy day to a magnificent one! Really like the look of Crowborough station, lovely building. I actually once lived in a flat in Crowborough Road, Southend and now I know whence the name came! 😄 I may well venture down that way myself as I have yet to travel on the Spey Valley line. Something for me to cross of my (virtual) map in future! 😜 Thanks mate, great video, not least the railway stuff but great to know you appreciate the lovely simplicity in what is the perfection of nature 💚 Have a great weekend mate 👍🍻🍀
Do frozen chickens come to mind when you think of Buxted? As to the railway carriage at Hever - never been down that way - but, back in 1977, a pair of railway carriages were kept on Goathland railway station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which they used as a “camping coach”, they advertised it as - my family stayed in it - unusual host for camping accommodation - most campsites are either former POW stalags with chalets or static caravans - this one had a big (considering it was a train) living area and several bedrooms - longest time I ever spent on a train without going anywhere! Maybe this carriage is one of those! I think there’s a railway carriage on the West Somerset Railway that they use as a café at the terminus at Minehead! Have you done the West Somerset Railway yet? You would need to get to Taunton, then get a bus to Bishop’s Lydeard - the 28 that says Minehead on it - only operates in summer - really designed to get people to Butlin’s, but not exclusively to Butlin’s holidaymakers- lots of things to visit en route - Dunster Castle - bit of a walk from the station to the castle - Blue Anchor is quite pleasant as well as the harbour town of Watchet! Haven’t done it often, so I don’t know how frequently they run the trains - steam as well!
Ah nice, some good memories of these stations growing up in this part of the world, lived in Oxted and Edenbridge for a time and work at Hever Castle for a couple of summers. Must go back soon! Don't have any info on the carriage at Hever sadly Wouldn't it be wonderful to see it open as cafe or something for those visiting the Castle by train. Fantastic little beer shop just out of the other underpass exit at Oxted!
Great video! I'm still hoping that one day East Sussex County Council will see sense and support plans to connect the truncated line at Uckfield to Lewes - and the whole branch will become a through line once more. At Cowden there is a small plaque commemorating the five people who died in the 1994 head-on collision between two trains on the recently-singled line.
I used to travel that line as a youngster when the old thumper were still running. I have to say the Buxted has been extended, platform wise fairly recently as it is a major commuter line. However a thoroughly interesting video sir.
Great video! Re the font on the Buxted double arrows sign, the black typeface is actually Rail Alphabet 2 which is (very!) slowly phasing out the old regional/BR fonts across the network on signage.
Every year at Cowden on the anniversary of tragic rail crash,rail staff(train crews from Norwood especially),meet here to remember drivers,guard and passengers killed on the fateful day in 1994 (15th Oct). There is a plaque I believe on station building that Geoff couldn't find ?
Really interesting, but really would like to know how you organized tickets, did you buy a return ticket from the start to the endpoint of the line and use a break of journey clause?
Occasionally the needs of East Grinstead or of timetable disrupt the Uckfield trains. It's frustrating when travelling South to find that the Uckfield train is being diverted to serve East Grinstead. Similarly when travelling North sometimes the down train turns back at Crowborough so that the timetable is met but Buxted and Uckfield are ignored.
@@geofftech2 Some of those station pairs look walkable well within the hour between services. Did that to-and-fro journey plan really look like the best?
@@firesurfer I think it's the Network Rail number. So the whole of mainland GB, plus the Island Line on the Isle of Wight. It doesn't include the London Underground or private lines, and Ireland/NI and the Isle of Man have their own systems.
I definitely with you on this being a relaxing activity. Had a day off last year and wife suggested I have a spa day! I couldn't think of anything worse so choose to do the line out to Shoeburymess instead. Found it really therapeutic and now consider these trips as my spa days. Actually only recently had spa day on the Uckfield line myself!
I believe that the different font at Buxted is to do with the new font they made for Great British Railways, something that will become standard accross the rail network. Some TOCs have gone ahead of the game, especially GWR who have been replacing signage into the new font quite regularly
@@benfll Yes, so similar to what it was in the 1980/90s BR era where all signs were the same font, they are doing that for GBR. Personally I think its better as it standardises all cluttery mix of different type faces we have on the railways at the moment
@@jackhughes1299 Rail Alphabet is still used in some places, and I'm all for having it be used everywhere, but using a new font everywhere to replace it is a shame
What black and blue and red all mostly over? The Buxted sign! it's annoying when a train is cancelled and throws it right off plan but is still give that station you visited which you couldn't a tick! great video and been a while seeing a Visiting Every Station video but worth the wait.
My neck of the woods, Geoff - born and grew up in Edenbridge and know Hever and Cowden very well. Also Crowborough, an old football opponent, and of course Ashdown Forest. There is a cricket and football ground right next to Ashurst station where I played many times too. Did I hear you say you walked from Edenbridge station to Edenbridge Town station? Is there a video of that - would be really nostalgic, I've not been home for a few years due to Covid..... Thanks!
Never knew that about the sign at Buxted! And I've used that station every year (barring 2020) since 2013 to get back to London and then home (all I'm saying!) after The Tinkers Park Traction Engine Rally which is a great event despite its size and was actually birthed pre' the massive Dorset fair.
Cool video. I need another copy of that map, but not sure where I can get one from. I'm spending most of my train journeys on my next visit south on Southern metals, but I'll be prioritising spotting the 455s so ticking stops off on their routes within zones 1-6 as well as visiting Brighton and ticking off some 313s too. So far I only have 464 stations ticked off, 14 of which have been in 2022. The yearly aim is to reach 750, including finishing the overground (but not including doing the 85 remaining tube stations, which is a separate aim).
Hi Geoff how are you? I would love it if you made a video of riding the spa valley railway at Eridge or the Bluebell railway at East Grinstead. Also I would totally recommend that you ride the Bluebell railway because I have been on it and its amazing. Also a lot of their trains often include beautiful old coaches with separate passenger compartments ( some of which are old Metropolitan line coaches from the underground)
Maybe the carriage at Hever is a novelty function room, for business meetings or parties or other corporate events. My dad helped convert an old private passenger plane into a similar thing, hired it out for functions and corporate team building stuff like that. Possibly connected to the business centre??
having done all the stations on that line i can concur it has some lovely stations along it..an its also difficult with the 2 hourly and often cancelled trains of late
It's nice to hear different birds. Here, it's mostly pigeons, seagulls, occasionally oyster catchers, and rarely owls. Foxes actively engaging in fox production at 2 or 3 a.m. is also a recurring theme.
I lived in Crowborough up to the age of 21. When I was very young my mother and I travelled regularly to Uckfield by train to visit my grandmother. I have happy memories of that foot bridge at what was then called Crowborough & Jarvis Brook station. I would stand on the down side platform and look up the line under the bridge and hope to be the first to spot the steam engine approaching from around the distant curve out of Eridge station. On some fine days we would catch the train right through to Brighton and the seaside; it was much later that the line was cut and terminated at Uckfield. Happy days! Thanks Geoff.
This line used to be a semi-regular treat for me - from Croydon to Uckfield, and then back again the next day. And before Covid, you'd get a pretty regular hourly service all day, with a few half-hourly extras during the peaks, and a required change at Oxted on a Sunday. And it wouldn't be uncommon to see a 10-coach train. It was also not uncommon to see cancellations caused by delays, staff shortages or failed trains.
The areas of Crowborough and Uckfield are getting more housing and with the return to some kind or normality, the line is going to need a more regular service. 1 train every 2 hours just doesn't cut it. Chris Gibb made some suggestions, including electrification of the line and adding sidings at Crowborough. As of yet, I don't think any decisions have been made public.
Geoff, the Cowden bird was a Great Tit, very common with a loud repetitive song. Did you also note the wonderful VR letterbox above the mud scrapers? Also, the plaque dedicated to the Cowden rail disaster? Thanks for visiting one of the loveliest stations in Kent (just).
wow. english. a bird called Great Tit. I hesitated googling "great tit bird" but the first result was the correct one. A common bird where i live too...
Yes I thought this was where the crash was..A foggy day in Autumn 1994 if I recall.
I’m a big fan of great tits…sorry had to
@@boabdownunder yep.... knew somebody would say it
I am too. But if you mean the bird variety I often hear one producing that kind of song somewhere in the trees near my garden in the summertime,typically in the hours before dusk. As for Crowborough,the name made me expect fields full of crows picking away,then scattering when a human approached.
100% agree about an isolated and quiet station being good for the soul and sanity. One of my favourites to cycle to is Battlesbridge (I know maybe not your favourite branch line). Love being there with some lunch, usually on my own, when the sun is out, with a welcome intrusion of a train every 20 mins or so in alternate directions to remind me the rest of the world is still there, all the time pondering if I cycle off somewhere else or get on one of the trains.
🚲👍💕😍💕👍🚲
How/why am I so happy with a simple Geoff video... (I know it's not 'simple' a lot of work and talent equals a polished video). But it's such a simple concept, and it brings me so much joy.
Fun fact, the Footbridge that exists at Templecombe Station in Somerset is in fact the Footbridge that had been salvaged from Buxted, so it could be said that a little bit of the Oxted line is in Somerset
Hopefully the old Crowborough footbridge will also be recycled somewhere else. Network Rail apparently have a policy to give structures to heritage railways if they have no further use for them. The old Hertford East signalbox has just been dismantled and I think is heading for Leyburn in Wensleydale.
@@iankemp1131 there's always hope to preserve railway heritage. For example, the existing signal box and lever frame at Ryde St John's Road is a recycled 'box from Waterloo East
Glad you communed with nature at Cowden. I grew up in the woods just to the West of there (In a Cottage). On a still night i could lay in bed and hear the Thumpers go into the tunnel and often hear them come out of the other end. A small point, to the locals it's Cow-den not Cowd'n! If you ever visit again its worth a visit to the tunnel portal that end. You need to cross under the bridge and follow the footpath alongside the line, it splits and goes over the portal. You will then see that the tunnel has two portals as it has been extended by about thirty yards! I think this was done as the Bridleway would not have been able to get behind the original portal. The original portal was invisible behind undergrowth but is now visible due to clearance works that were performed a few years ago. Cowden station was used as a location for a Two Ronnies sketch where it was called Drakes Halt IIRC.
Love your videos, keep up the good work.
@@geofftech2 I shot a short clip of it a few years ago. Uploaded especially for you!
th-cam.com/video/ExVThkHJGP0/w-d-xo.html
I love how Geoff’s hoodie under his sweatshirt stays half-in, half-out ALL DAY
Saves continuity errors
As a dutch person that loves making videos about transport infrastructure, I really appreciate how much effort you put in your videos!
Just subscribed to your channel Linke
@@hunty1970 Thank you!
And now you, like Geoff, are added to my list of people who make being stuck indoors most of the time tolerable :D
@@stephencampbell9384 thank you and good luck staying at home!
Thank you for showing Crowborough Station, I was born in Crowborough and remember the steam trains when we went on our annual holidays to the coast in the 1950's. Brought back many memories 👍
Another great video with Geoff suffering for his art... All the direct-to-camera work makes you feel like you are there in person. The part about being out in the countryside and enjoying quiet and nature.. spot on.
I enjoyed the more down to earth and deeper tone of this video
I loved this video, Geoff. It was wonderful that you shared your experience in nature at Cowden. I concur completely about the value of getting into nature, and how soothing it can be for us. 🦉🦆🦋🐝🌳
This brings back memories of a Friday night trip to Buxted from London many decades back, followed by an hour's walk along very dark country lanes to Blackboys Youth Hostel, a set of huts in the middle of nowhere, built to accomodate refugees from Spain in 1936, and repurposed as a youth hostel afterwards.
You're absolutely right about nature, and quiet, Geoff. It really calms you down. I live in a place where there is a lot of that, but when I'm lucky enough to visit England, my favourite place is along the River Nidd near Knaresborough.
Just started a new job, me and my new friend bonded over the fact that we both love your videos Geoff. You're bringing humanity together. Credit to you 🙏🏽
I was just rewatching the “Visiting every station: Tattenham Corner branch” and then saw this video. Perfect timing!
Great vid!!! Hever up until around five or six years ago was a sweet and tiny little rural station. They have subsequently somewhat industrialised it creating those MASSIVE platforms prior to which it was a sleepy little station. The railway carriage at Hever is linked to the businesses in the station and (until recently) used to be used as a conference room for the businesses.
Really enjoyed the vid, lovely! 🚂🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃🚃
That nicely sets up an Ashurst to to Ashurst (New Forest) trip. Possibly picking up Ashford and Ashford International en route.
Ashurst, it’s a small station and the phone signal isn’t good. About 5 years ago, we were stopped there because the train in at Uckfield had a fault. Someone couldn’t get a signal and walked up the platform, onto the bridge and was talking. Suddenly the train doors all closed and we left, with the poor passenger still on the bridge (and his bag & coat on the train). The Uckfield service can be cruel.
As someone who grew up in Crowborough, it was great to see you exploring the line. It’s always been funny to see how much effort network rail put into it by extending platforms and adding step-free access, then to see it have so few services during off-peak times. Glad they’re future-proofing it though.
There was talk of the line being reinstated down to Lewes. Maybe the extended platforms were part of that strategy.
@@mirvids5036 The extension of the platforms was purely to accommodate longer 12-carriage trains. It took ages as I recall they did one station at a time. The idea of reopening the line south of Uckfield is fanciful as much of it is in private hands and some stretches of it built on. You could no longer take it into Lewes Station, for example, so couldn't link up with the coastal line.
Geoff Marshall just gonna let you know I was stuck at Crowborough until 5:10pm because of the cancellation of the 4:10pm in this video and I saw this when it was out so yeah but I was actually quite annoyed with the 4:10pm being cancelled and also thanks for visiting my station 1st also known as buxted
Thank you for taking us along on your wonderful trip, Geoff. I enjoyed (your thoughts at) Cowden station so much that I am putting this video in my playlist named "soothing"🧘🏼♀️ and I hope you are well
I live next to Sanderstead and it feels like one of those 1945s cottage countryside railways and that feeling when the bluebell trains pass
Never thought this series would come back!
Geoff you missed a treat at Cowden. Under the bridge and go right at the fence (on the right of your shot at 11:50) and you are on a footpath that goes parallel to the railway and alongside a stream (which eventually flows into the Medway) in the woods. You then turn right and a path takes you over the South portal of the tunnel. Interesting to see because there is what looks like a second retaining wall about 10 yards behind the portal itself.
I too have seen this, it's most puzzling, could this be the original portal and the tunnel was extended due to landslips or suchlike, probably not, but can't really think of any other reason.
Mark Beech tunnel. The additional retaining wall, now partial buried, has to be the original Southern portal. When and why it was realigned and abandoned I'm not sure but there was a delay, of at least a decade between the tunnel being started and trains running, during which the LB&SCR applied to double the track through Mark Beech tunnel. My guess is that the Southern portal was realigned to accommodate the change in 1888.
Crowborough.
Most of my family live there, including my 91 year old mother.
My brother-in-law repaired the old footbridge there and most of the old footbridges on that branch.
The ashdown forest is a big thing there.
And it’s a little walk up crowborough hill into the town centre as the station is actually in Jarvis Brook.
Did a pub crawl up this line in the early nineties (we're from Edenbridge). One hour at each stop, Crowborough, Buxted, Eridge, Ashurst (the Bald Faced Stag was still open then), then walk from Cowden station to the Kentish Horse at Mark Beech, tben the Greyhound at Hever then final train back to Edenbridge and back into the King and Queen. Good. Times.
D.B. Did you visit 'Elsie's pub, The Queen's Arms at Cowden Pound? I know she died a few years since, but that pub used to be in a time warp... It hadn't changed in donkeys year back in the day, no till, no optics, no ice, and with a sign outside saying 'Lager Not Sold Here'. The only beer they had on was excellent bitter.
@@trevordance5181 went there nearly every night for many years
@@db8444 What is the pub like now?
@@trevordance5181 interior is unchanged, it's still totally unspoilt in that regard. You can now sit in the garden or get a pizza but it hasn't changed much
The little whisper of "David" at 11:19 freaked me out 😀😵💫
Great video, next time you are heading out tweet about it and we locals can suggest things for you to see/do. Jarvis Brew outside of Crowborough is a great coffee stop, hope you found it. The sign over the River Uck at Uckfield on the signal box is a piece of design genius, cut close in to prevent the addition of a prefix to the river name being added if the sign was the more normal rectangular.
An enjoyable video. Ashdown Forest is of course a place of pilgrimage to Winnie-the-Pooh fans. I remember the long platforms being used when loco-hauled trains operated in the rush hours - around 1973….
Of course Ashdown Forest is a Winnie-the-Pooh site. Go back, with a supply of twigs, and play PoohSticks from the bridge!!
@@chrisambidge6470 although the actual Pooh sticks bridge is near Dorchester (on Thames) in Oxfordshire 🤓👍
Love this. I live near Edenbridge. Cowden is always pronounced Cow Den locally and the station is a long way from the village. Also Hever Station is a long way from Hever.. Edenbridge Town has a mud scraper as well. Wish I had known you were in the area as I would have bought you a pint in my pub, or even a cup of tea if you prefered. keep up the good work Geoff.
Good evening, Geoff. It's just after 3:15 pm as I watch from here in Canada but evening for you right now. I enjoyed that bird singing.
Eyyyyy! There wasn't a Uckfield Branch video for All the Stations! Lots of good memories heading up to London with my mum and dad!
They tend to leave the bridges in place as it provides a secondary crossing point which is sometimes useful at rush hour (eg, like at Coulsdon South with the new lifts and bridge at one end of the platform, and the old bridge about half-way down)
And the old bridge at Coulsdon South Station also connects the footpath from Reddown Road to the Brighton Road. You can use that bridge without going through any fare gates thus not entering the station proper.
11:50 that's a very cool effect you did with the moving train 👍👍
Very pleasant video, even just seeing Cowden Station makes me feel a sense of calmness, funnily enough I felt relaxed and at peace when I was sat on a bench for almost an hour at North Ealing a month ago (probably my favourite tube station, for it's heritage signage, and country-style ambience, in the heart of suburbia), letting the trains past, soaking up the warm sunshine, listening to the bird song, it was lovely !
Having an adventure on the trains is always the best way to boost the mood.
Great to see you travelling on our local branch. Living in Langton Green, we're slightly closer to Tunbridge Wells station than Ashurst, but much prefer the latter - listening to birds singing and, on one occasion, watching wild deer grazing in the adjacent field, can't be beaten. It's a good while since we've used trains as we're both clinically slightly vulnerable, but it's considerably cheaper travelling off-peak to London Bridge from Ashurst than it is T Wells, plus the parking is free (or at least it was last time we used it - may have changed now).
Thank You so much Geoff for posting this. Edenbridge was my first home when I left London a few years ago. I spent 3 years there and loved every minute of it. I often would visit all these stations on a regular basis. Groombridge is beautiful too and it’s on the heritage railway. It’s a village in both Sussex and Kent. The high street in Uckfield is lovely and Crowborough has one of the best chippy’s in England you should try.
I think the bird song you might be high-lighting there is the Great Tit with it's characteristic call of 'Teacher, teacher teacher' - it's 2 notes generally repeated 3 times in a short burst but can vary greatly in speed and pitch. Great trip Geoff - very familiar to me and travelled it a great many times - I also recall the news of the crash that sadly killed 5 people just outside Cowden at a head-on collision on the single track working. A shame they got rid of the crossing at Uckfield where all the old buildings still present on the far side of the main road (last tim I visited) and the Lavender line at Isfield - the next stop beyond.
The Great Tit looks much like our Black Capped Chickadee here in the Greet Lakes region of the US. The song is familiar as the Chickadee does a hi-lo followed by a quick chirping “chick-a-dee..dee.dee” hence its’ name.
And my dad’s best friend was driving one of the trains.
Brilliant Geoff, glad to see you visiting my local station, As I live in heathfield. Which did have a station, until Dr beaching closed it.
Love the Spa Valley offering at Eridge Geoff - just a hint of the enjoyment that can be found going south from Tunbridge Wells West. Spent a few happy days there.
I get the peaceful bit Geoff, that's what I love most when I'm out doing my 'along the railway line' series, just that peace and quiet helps the mood, lovely.
Another fantastic video. The truncated uckfield branch is very rural (with the exception of crow borough and uckfield.) had they kept the line between uckfield and Lewes, I suspect it could have been busy with through traffic!
I found out today my history teacher watches your videos
I am pretty sure the coach in the platform of Hever is used to be rented out for meetings or something along those lines. Im close by to the area and looked at one point with my brother to possibly use the coach and station building for a project
I'm actually quite disappointed that Geoff has a spreadsheet. I imagined he'd have a huge map with colour coded pins stuck in it.
I'm sure he has both.
Who says he doesn't have that as well?
you can't fit dates and remarks on a map nearly as easily!
That is only for rail conspiracy theories.
Perhaps inspiration from Matt Parker.
Nice to see you visit my regular line, not just me the stupid two hourly service annoys it’s been changing back and forth for last few months very annoying when I need to go to London for an emergency repair visit
I’d have invited you in for a cuppa if I knew you were there I work about 30 seconds from Crowborough station :)
Excellent film. It was nice to meet you at Eridge on 16th February
Great video! Too late to tell us not to tick off every station: I’ve already started it (as a long-term life-long project).
My Favourite Things:
Julie Andrews - Whiskers on Kittens and Brown paper packages tied up with string.
Geoff Marshall - Rainy Day and Forklift in the background.
Greetings from the Bronx. Engaging with nature is the best part of doing landscape photography; if I come back with a half decent photograph, it is an added bonus. But the Uckfield line and it’s stations is also a great way to engage with nature. It looks like you didn’t get off at Uckfield. My brother lives in Uckfield and they did extend the platforms to accommodate 12-coach peak trains pre-pandemic. You can see the trains from his back garden in the distance, about half way between Uckfield and Buxted and I have seen the 12 coach trains running before the pandemic. They were needed, I’ve stood in a rush-hour train from London Bridge before the platform extensions and didn’t get a seat until Crowborough.
Fantastic cubtebt Geoff. Videos like this are so soothing and relaxing.
Hi Geoff. They are building a lift at East Grinstead at the moment which will create step free access
I love this channel.. Been watching for 7 years. Keep it up mate
Hurst Green is a great example of the southern Exmouth footbridges that are now sadly becoming life expired and being replaced. the station was rebuilt in the 1960s from its original location the other side of the road bridge, the footbridge is in my mind a design masterpiece as it’s modular construction was speedily assembled and has stood the test of time well (how well will the modern replacements last and what will their lifetime maintenance cost come to?)
That bird is the 15:42 Noise Polluter Bird service calling all nests to Uckfield. This bird is comprised of one carriage.
Love these little videos. Haven't used that line before but have been on the neighbouring line as far as Lingfield a couple of times.
I love these videos! After the Tattenham Corner one, I immediately wanted more to watch! Keep going Geoff!
I've only been to Hever once or twice by train. It was to visit The Greyhound Inn - about a mile walk from the station along country lanes. When walking back to the station (in the dark) I made use of my railway HV orange vest with "retro-reflective" stripes. It certainly got the occasional car driver to slam the anchors on!
It does make you wonder, if there was a less rubbish train service there, would passenger numbers increase to match it?
Yes. Crowborough would explode in size if they did that
See: induced demand
Even better if electrified and extended to Lewes, with services through to Eastbourne and Brighton.
An old manager of mine lived down that way and ended up snapping one day and killing his wife. We joke about late trains but it'll wear you down: decades of getting up at 5am and sometimes getting home after 9pm because trains have been canceled. True story btw, Stuart Andrews, look it up. Money troubles too but the commute was all a large part of it, getting in an hour late effing and blinding about it.
@@alexbrown7344 As it used to be you mean!
I went to London this weekend and was sprouting random station knowledge and I have to thank you for that, i think i impressed my friends 🤣
I reckon that bird is possibly a Lesser Spotted Tree Warbler. Of course I may have made that up. Great video as always, thank you.
What a lovely adventure; that bit about the calm//peace//healing//solitude.....totally resonate and digg that feeling. I often try to find myself in a similar vibe on travels. 🙂
🌳🚃🐦💚😸
The station platforms on the line have been considerably extended within the last 4 years in order to expand the number of 171 units at peak hours. But as we generally don't travel in the peak hours now we're retired I've never actually travelled on a service with more than 6 carriages (4+2). In the past the line was quite badly served in the evening peak and it was often necessary to change at Oxted. There were rumours a few years back that the line beyond Uckfield to Lewes might be reinstated to provided additional London to South Coast capacity, but nothing's ever come of it (so far) I suspect because of cost. I think there used to be far more double-track sections than there are now. Although the 'Thumper' DEMUs used to run most services back in the 60s,70s and 80s, some peak hour services had Mk1 carriages hauled by a Class 33.
Geoff, you are so right about the joys or randomly getting off somewhere in the middle of nowhere. It’s when you get to properly hear your surroundings, and appreciate the chatter of the birds (sounded like a Great Tit but I shan’t make the obvious joke 😜) and things like a local stream or even just the wind blowing through the local woods 😎
When I am driving early mornings, a great compensation for being up at ludicrous o’clock is that when I poke me head out the window, there are few cars about and little in the way of background human activity, so I can hear blackbirds, wrens, robins and all sorts. And it immediately calms me, removes any sign of early morning grouch and if I am on a good day, I’ll start to see other birds as daylight breaks. The other day, I was actually in a slight mood (that’s the equivalent of livid in most people 😂) but when I passed through Low Street Level Crossing, I saw a heron almost swim vertically upwards through the air, and I had barely recovered from that when within seconds I saw an early morning buzzard wheel majestically to port as he or she scanned the field near Coal Road foot crossing for a morning snack 😍
And suddenly it turned from a crappy day to a magnificent one!
Really like the look of Crowborough station, lovely building. I actually once lived in a flat in Crowborough Road, Southend and now I know whence the name came! 😄
I may well venture down that way myself as I have yet to travel on the Spey Valley line. Something for me to cross of my (virtual) map in future! 😜
Thanks mate, great video, not least the railway stuff but great to know you appreciate the lovely simplicity in what is the perfection of nature 💚
Have a great weekend mate 👍🍻🍀
Nice! Southern being one of my fave train companies, and me enjoying 171s makes the experience even more!
Do frozen chickens come to mind when you think of Buxted?
As to the railway carriage at Hever - never been down that way - but, back in 1977, a pair of railway carriages were kept on Goathland railway station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which they used as a “camping coach”, they advertised it as - my family stayed in it - unusual host for camping accommodation - most campsites are either former POW stalags with chalets or static caravans - this one had a big (considering it was a train) living area and several bedrooms - longest time I ever spent on a train without going anywhere! Maybe this carriage is one of those!
I think there’s a railway carriage on the West Somerset Railway that they use as a café at the terminus at Minehead!
Have you done the West Somerset Railway yet? You would need to get to Taunton, then get a bus to Bishop’s Lydeard - the 28 that says Minehead on it - only operates in summer - really designed to get people to Butlin’s, but not exclusively to Butlin’s holidaymakers- lots of things to visit en route - Dunster Castle - bit of a walk from the station to the castle - Blue Anchor is quite pleasant as well as the harbour town of Watchet! Haven’t done it often, so I don’t know how frequently they run the trains - steam as well!
Ah nice, some good memories of these stations growing up in this part of the world, lived in Oxted and Edenbridge for a time and work at Hever Castle for a couple of summers. Must go back soon! Don't have any info on the carriage at Hever sadly
Wouldn't it be wonderful to see it open as cafe or something for those visiting the Castle by train. Fantastic little beer shop just out of the other underpass exit at Oxted!
Great video! I'm still hoping that one day East Sussex County Council will see sense and support plans to connect the truncated line at Uckfield to Lewes - and the whole branch will become a through line once more. At Cowden there is a small plaque commemorating the five people who died in the 1994 head-on collision between two trains on the recently-singled line.
I used to travel that line as a youngster when the old thumper were still running. I have to say the Buxted has been extended, platform wise fairly recently as it is a major commuter line. However a thoroughly interesting video sir.
I’m watching this as I travel home ….on the uckfield service
Great video! Re the font on the Buxted double arrows sign, the black typeface is actually Rail Alphabet 2 which is (very!) slowly phasing out the old regional/BR fonts across the network on signage.
Every year at Cowden on the anniversary of tragic rail crash,rail staff(train crews from Norwood especially),meet here to remember drivers,guard and passengers killed on the fateful day in 1994 (15th Oct).
There is a plaque I believe on station building that Geoff couldn't find ?
I take it you have spoken to the people that attend the cowden anniversary event thing?
Any plans to visit the new station building in Coventry when it finally opens later this month?
Really interesting, but really would like to know how you organized tickets, did you buy a return ticket from the start to the endpoint of the line and use a break of journey clause?
I really enjoyed this video! This has to be one of your best yet!
Step-free access being built at East Grinstead right now as well!
Why they predominantly only use 1 platform
During busy times, especially when EGR is used as a hub for Gatwick, lots of trains leave from platform 1. It's been campaigned for decades.
Fun fact Geoff. 171 carriages are too long to make a 12 car train. So a 10 car train is equivalent to a 12 car 377
A train with 171 carriages would be very long indeed.
In the peak they (have in the past) run 10 or 12 carriage trains (I live in Uckfield) thanks for visiting us, nearly.
Occasionally the needs of East Grinstead or of timetable disrupt the Uckfield trains. It's frustrating when travelling South to find that the Uckfield train is being diverted to serve East Grinstead. Similarly when travelling North sometimes the down train turns back at Crowborough so that the timetable is met but Buxted and Uckfield are ignored.
Brilliant ! Half man, half train, half spreadsheet.
Coach at Hever use to be an conference meeting room for a design company based in the station
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you. Hope to see you on the Bluebell line,one day.😀👍🏻
Using the crazy methodology of getting out at every station, and respect to those who take on that challenge, how many have you ticked off to date?
So far as of last Saturday 70
GLovesTrains has just completed all of Lancashire and is now doing North Wales, a great series..
@@geofftech2 Some of those station pairs look walkable well within the hour between services. Did that to-and-fro journey plan really look like the best?
@@geofftech2 Thanks, now I don't have to google it. Does this include Ireland/Scotland/Isle of Man?
@@firesurfer I think it's the Network Rail number. So the whole of mainland GB, plus the Island Line on the Isle of Wight. It doesn't include the London Underground or private lines, and Ireland/NI and the Isle of Man have their own systems.
I went to Cowden and took one of the Go2 buses after seeing your video on them :D
I definitely with you on this being a relaxing activity. Had a day off last year and wife suggested I have a spa day! I couldn't think of anything worse so choose to do the line out to Shoeburymess instead. Found it really therapeutic and now consider these trips as my spa days. Actually only recently had spa day on the Uckfield line myself!
I believe that the different font at Buxted is to do with the new font they made for Great British Railways, something that will become standard accross the rail network. Some TOCs have gone ahead of the game, especially GWR who have been replacing signage into the new font quite regularly
Quite puzzling, why not do both sides.
Noo, they're changing the National Rail font!? That's like changing the font on roadsigns, it's iconic, it'll look wrong being different!
@@benfll Yes, so similar to what it was in the 1980/90s BR era where all signs were the same font, they are doing that for GBR. Personally I think its better as it standardises all cluttery mix of different type faces we have on the railways at the moment
@@jackhughes1299 Rail Alphabet is still used in some places, and I'm all for having it be used everywhere, but using a new font everywhere to replace it is a shame
What black and blue and red all mostly over? The Buxted sign! it's annoying when a train is cancelled and throws it right off plan but is still give that station you visited which you couldn't a tick! great video and been a while seeing a Visiting Every Station video but worth the wait.
My neck of the woods, Geoff - born and grew up in Edenbridge and know Hever and Cowden very well. Also Crowborough, an old football opponent, and of course Ashdown Forest. There is a cricket and football ground right next to Ashurst station where I played many times too. Did I hear you say you walked from Edenbridge station to Edenbridge Town station? Is there a video of that - would be really nostalgic, I've not been home for a few years due to Covid..... Thanks!
Hey Geoff, the carriage at Hever is out of a class 421 slam door unit
why is it there though
@@hrishiv private owner I believe, no real purpose but couldn’t say that for sure
Never knew that about the sign at Buxted!
And I've used that station every year (barring 2020) since 2013 to get back to London and then home (all I'm saying!) after The Tinkers Park Traction Engine Rally which is a great event despite its size and was actually birthed pre' the massive Dorset fair.
Cool video. I need another copy of that map, but not sure where I can get one from.
I'm spending most of my train journeys on my next visit south on Southern metals, but I'll be prioritising spotting the 455s so ticking stops off on their routes within zones 1-6 as well as visiting Brighton and ticking off some 313s too.
So far I only have 464 stations ticked off, 14 of which have been in 2022. The yearly aim is to reach 750, including finishing the overground (but not including doing the 85 remaining tube stations, which is a separate aim).
Looking forward to the 60 year old Geoff presenting "every station on the Woodhead Line"
What a line that was !
Did many a trip along there hauled by 40s, double headed 76s and a railtour or two using double headed 20s. Glory days.
They do say that nature heals a lot of wounds but at this point in the world, access to nature is a luxury.
Hi Geoff how are you? I would love it if you made a video of riding the spa valley railway at Eridge or the Bluebell railway at East Grinstead. Also I would totally recommend that you ride the Bluebell railway because I have been on it and its amazing. Also a lot of their trains often include beautiful old coaches with separate passenger compartments ( some of which are old Metropolitan line coaches from the underground)
Maybe the carriage at Hever is a novelty function room, for business meetings or parties or other corporate events. My dad helped convert an old private passenger plane into a similar thing, hired it out for functions and corporate team building stuff like that. Possibly connected to the business centre??
The keypad next to the door makes me think similar. Like it's been converted into some form of private office space
having done all the stations on that line i can concur it has some lovely stations along it..an its also difficult with the 2 hourly and often cancelled trains of late
It's nice to hear different birds. Here, it's mostly pigeons, seagulls, occasionally oyster catchers, and rarely owls. Foxes actively engaging in fox production at 2 or 3 a.m. is also a recurring theme.