Horsted Keynes railway station
Encyclopedia
Horsted Keynes railway station is a railway station in Sussex
. It was closed by British Railways Beeching Axe
on 28 October 1963 with the cessation of trains from Seaford
via Haywards Heath
(trains over the Lewes
to East Grinstead
line having ceased in 1958). However, the first Bluebell Railway
trains had run on the last day of the 1962 season using the disused eastern side (electrified services only used Platform 2). Between 1960 and 1962 Bluebell Railway services had terminated at Bluebell halt- a temporary station about half mile to the south.
As a junction station it was the busiest station on the line in terms of services but arguably one of the quieter for passengers. The station lies about one and half miles (2 km) from the village of Horsted Keynes
.
Since being taken over by the Bluebell the station has become one of the most popular stations in UK preservation, and has won many awards. It has been restored under a 1930s theme with period newspaper headlines on boards by the buffet and adverts of the period. With five platforms it is the largest preserved Heritage Railway station in the UK. It is the crossing place for services when two trains are operating and hosts several events a year for collectors and enthusiasts. It is also the home of the line's Carriage and Wagon department.
There are plans to make this station a junction again if the Bluebell plans to extend toward Ardingly are realised, creating something rare in UK preservation, a junction station where both lines are operated by preservationists. However whether this is opened by the Bluebell itself after their extension to East Grinstead or as a separate third-rail electrified preserved line remains to be seen.
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
. It was closed by British Railways Beeching Axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
on 28 October 1963 with the cessation of trains from Seaford
Seaford railway station
Seaford Railway Station is in Seaford in East Sussex, England. Seaford is the terminus of the Seaford Branch Line of the East Coastway Line. The station has been reduced to single track and only one platform remains in use...
via Haywards Heath
Haywards Heath railway station
Haywards Heath railway station serves Haywards Heath in West Sussex, England. It is on the Brighton Main Line and Thameslink north of Brighton, and train services are primarily provided by Southern and First Capital Connect...
(trains over the Lewes
Lewes railway station
Lewes railway station serves the town of Lewes in East Sussex, England. It has five platforms and is on the East Coastway Line. Train services are provided by Southern.The station has a café and a newsagent, and there is a taxi office on the main forecourt...
to East Grinstead
East Grinstead railway station
East Grinstead railway station serves the town of East Grinstead in West Sussex. The station was formerly divided into two levels: the higher level platforms serving the Three Bridges to Tunbridge Wells Central Line, whilst the lower level platforms received services from the Oxted Line 49 km ...
line having ceased in 1958). However, the first Bluebell Railway
Bluebell Railway
The Bluebell Railway is a heritage line running for nine miles along the border between East and West Sussex, England. Steam trains are operated between and , with an intermediate station at .The railway is managed and run largely by volunteers...
trains had run on the last day of the 1962 season using the disused eastern side (electrified services only used Platform 2). Between 1960 and 1962 Bluebell Railway services had terminated at Bluebell halt- a temporary station about half mile to the south.
As a junction station it was the busiest station on the line in terms of services but arguably one of the quieter for passengers. The station lies about one and half miles (2 km) from the village of Horsted Keynes
Horsted Keynes
Horsted Keynes is a village and civil parish in the Mid Sussex District of West Sussex, England. The village is located about eight kilometres north east of Haywards Heath, in the Weald...
.
Since being taken over by the Bluebell the station has become one of the most popular stations in UK preservation, and has won many awards. It has been restored under a 1930s theme with period newspaper headlines on boards by the buffet and adverts of the period. With five platforms it is the largest preserved Heritage Railway station in the UK. It is the crossing place for services when two trains are operating and hosts several events a year for collectors and enthusiasts. It is also the home of the line's Carriage and Wagon department.
There are plans to make this station a junction again if the Bluebell plans to extend toward Ardingly are realised, creating something rare in UK preservation, a junction station where both lines are operated by preservationists. However whether this is opened by the Bluebell itself after their extension to East Grinstead or as a separate third-rail electrified preserved line remains to be seen.
See also
External links
- Horsted Keynes railway station on Trainspot