Spa Valley Railway, West Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
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Eridge Extension News Archive: 2010

A lot of work went into the extension to Eridge, both at the railway and behind the scenes with detailed negotiations between us and the other parties involved. Here you'll all the information regarding the extension and the work involved to return regular passenger services between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge after a period of 25 years!

And it's not over yet! Two outstanding projects remain in progress - Groombridge signals and Eridge run-round loop.

Eridge Opening Photo Gallery - 25th March 2011
BV Point Installation - Winter 2009
2008 Eridge News
2009 Eridge News
2010 Eridge News
'Return to Eridge' Project Home Page
Eridge Project Requirements
Eridge Route
Read the Steam Railway Magazine Article "Great Eridge-spectations" outlining the project

27th March 2011 - THE FIRST PASSENGER TRAINS SINCE 1985!

Well, after years of hard work, we finally made it, and as the Railway acclimatises to the rarefied air of Eridge, we are now focussing on completing the signalling at Groombridge, and re-instating the run-round loop at Eridge. Neither of these are five minute jobs, so don't expect too much to change in the immediate future, but rest assured we are going flat-out to deliver both, and will issue updates where appropriate.

29th August - ERIDGE – LAST MAJOR HURDLES OVERCOME

One of the last major hurdles in the Spa Valley Railway’s ground breaking Eridge extension was cleared in late August with the signing of the lease with Network Rail for use of the track and trackbed of the former down line between Birchden and Eridge and into the down main and down bay platforms at Eridge station. Finalisation of one of the other major components in what has become an ever more complicated jigsaw, the station access agreement with train operator Southern is anticipated to be finalised imminently. The Spa Valley already holds a lease upon the platform buildings at Eridge. This now paves the way for the use of heritage Spa Valley services to share a mile of the former double track formation between Birchden Junction and Eridge and similarly share Eridge station with National Rail services. There are still a mirad of tasks to finalise but the heritage line is now looking with greater certainty at the running of ‘preview’ services into Eridge towards the end of this year before a formal VIP opening early in 2011.

GROOMBRIDGE SIGNALLING PROGRESS

August has seen work recommence in the passing loop at Groombridge with the installation of some of the equipment for the track circuit. This has included the Insulated Block Joints (IBJ) and track circuit bonds.

Above Left:- One of the newly installed track circuit bonds - Photo R. Sharpe
 Above Right::- The Pway gang hard at work installing the insulated block joints in mid August - Photo R. Sharpe

17th August - ERIDGE UPDATE

As nothing has been published on this page for a number of months about the actual opening date for Eridge, it does not mean nothing is happening. The railway is now in a position where nearly all of the physical work is complete and it is now a case of concluding the paperwork. Therefore it would appear to observers that things have gone quiet. In fact that is far from the truth...

All that can be said right now is that negotiations with Network Rail are at an advanced stage and we are making some very good progress with them. Obviously we cannot put a date on completion of these negotiations and the associated paperwork, but as soon as we are able to announce something we will. We still need to undertake at least a month's worth of training for our volunteer staff on the route before any passenger operations can commence. 

It is likely that even if the extension opens this year, we will not have an official opening until Easter 2011. 

For the time being, please keep an eye on the website for further news.

GENERAL ROUND-UP

No significant progress to report just recently due to holidays and the various gangs just completing outstanding tasks on the jobs already underway.

The signal box continues to receive many coats of paint and the various finishing touches on the outside areas. Guttering has been fitted along with the newly constructed 'Groombridge' name boards. Late July saw the erection of the steps permanently with just the handrails left to erect.

Above Left:- A general shot of the signal box in mid July - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- A new photographic vantage point has been opened up following the erection of the bracket signal and completion of the foot boarding and handrails. The Jinty is seen awaiting departure into the run-round loop on 17th July - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- Early August saw the new signal box steps in place and the handrails being trial fitted - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- The Eridge end of the signal box in early August with guttering recently fitted - Photo R. Sharpe

Other work has been centred on completing the signal bases in Groombridge cutting, which included final fitting of the location cabinet on the Down Advanced Starting signal and filling in the block wall with concrete.

AND FINALLY...

Although not Eridge related but Groombridge related. The redundant Pway huts from Ramslye Bank (near Tunbridge Wells) have found a new lease of life and home, on the embankment at Groombridge. The huts had become the attention of local youths and so with the replacement of a nearby fence, the decision was taken to relocate the huts to another area of the railway. Fortunately this proved easier than thought and so the huts were moved in early July. 

Above:- The Ramslye (or should it now be Groombridge?) P-Way huts in their new home on the embankment side at Groombridge in early July - Photo C. Fitzjohn

13th July - PROJECT UPDATE

The good weather has meant the whole project has progressed on a number of fronts. 

The signal box continues to make great progress. Since the last report, the glazer has finished fitting all the glass, making the building water tight for the first time. All the wood cladding has been added to the outside of the building. However the most visible progress has been the addition of the new veranda. Based on a similar design that was seen at Birchden signal box, Clive Fitzjohn has produced a fine piece of work and all that is left to complete are the steps.

Above Left:- With the better weather of Spring, work commenced on the feather boarding around the front of the signal box, seen here in mid March - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- By mid May the front and Eridge end had all but been completed - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- Stage 1 of the great veranda build - The end of April saw the erection of the signal box veranda. Based on those found on Southern signal boxes, it really looks the part - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- Another view of Clive Fitzjohn's handiwork, the veranda really gives the signal box some dimension and it looks entirely at home in this late April photo - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left & Right:- Late May saw the feather boarding on the box almost complete with just the odd length to fit - Photos R. Sharpe
Below Left:- By late June paint was being applied to a number of areas and the box was even complete with one of the station name boards - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- Stage 2 of the great veranda build got underway on 27th June with the trial fitting of the steps - Photo R. Sharpe

Elsewhere on the building the electric shutters are now operable and many coats of paint are being applied to the exterior of the building. The colour will match the other buildings on the station - Maroon and cream. Work on the signalling continues within the box as time allows.

Above:- The interior of the signal box in early April showing the newly fitted switches for the roller shutters - Photo R. Sharpe

Out on the ground, the signals continue to make good progress with all the bases now complete along with the retaining walls that were required for the signal posts in the loop at Groombridge. Early June saw the erection of the Up Starting Signal and Down Advanced Starting Signal in Groombridge loop, with work recommencing on the bracket signal in the station. Mid July should see the signal posts erected on the gantry of this structure. All that will be required then, will be the addition of all the signalling fittings to make the signals operable. Work has commenced on installing the concrete stands for signal pulleys, ground signals and cranks, whilst attention is turning to the track circuits that will be required to enable trains to pass.

Above Left:- The newly cast foundations for the second retaining wall seen in late March - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The retaining wall progressing in early April - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- By the end of May, the wall was complete and the base was ready for the signal post - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- On the same day as the Down Advanced Starting signal was erected, so was the Up Starting signal - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- The Down Advanced Starting signal on 2nd June - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- The location case fitted in position and the completed retaining wall on 13th June - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Left:- The Up Home signal on Birchden bank progressing well in early May - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- The lattice signal posts were fitted to the bracket signal in Groombridge platform on 12th July - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- One of the people involved in the bracket signal's refurbishment, Eric Usher, admires his handiwork on 12th July - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- In late March Paul McKinnell is seen at work installing signal pulley stands - Photo R. Sharpe

Part of the new platform extension has been brought into use following the completion of the new surface in mid April, which has made the operation of trains a lot easier. 

Above Left & Right:- Early April saw the concrete cast for the platform extension, outside the signal box. This was brought into use by the end of the same month - Photos R. Sharpe

At Eridge, the interior refurbishment of the station building has now been completed and new signage around the station has been commenced. The former Gentlemen's toilet is also undergoing a full interior refurbishment which is turning a dilapidated building into a useful facility once again. In recent weeks the station has been decorated by a number of signs which have been made in-house by one of our members.

Above:- Three of the station restoration team admire one of the recently erected station signs at Eridge - Photo B. Halford

On the track, work is now complete on the groundframe and the associated signalling. Our contractors have also been back to change a couple of rails where defects were identified.  

Above:- Some of the signage that has been erected at Birchden Junction which acts as a reminder of Network Rail land and the presence of Forge Farm Crossing just around the corner. The stop sign on the gate still requires some further work before it is completed - Photo R. Sharpe

12th March - SIGNALLING UPDATE

Groombridge signalling continues to make good progress on two fronts with the onset of better (ahem) weather. 

On the civils side, all the signal bases have now been cast and attention turned towards the retaining walls that are required around the two signal posts in Groombridge passing loop. In late February in what can only be described as a monsoon, the guys cast the final concrete base for the signals. This was around the former Down Birchden Junction distant signal, which is being converted into the Up Groombridge home signal. Having stood for all these years, it was felt that some extra support was required. 

Above Left:- On 14th February the shuttering is removed from around the signal base - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On 7th March the retaining wall had reached half distance - Photo R. Sharpe
Below:- The shuttering was then put in place ready for the next part of the wall to be cast - Photo R. Sharpe

Below Left:- A view of the Up Home signal base on Birchden Bank in mid February with all the formwork in place to pour the concrete - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- A couple of weeks later at the beginning of March, the concrete had been cast and this element of the job complete - Photo R. Sharpe

Elsewhere, the signal box has continued to make great strides since becoming weather tight. The locking room has benefited from some additional lighting whilst the leaver frame is rapidly being assembled. The latest work includes fitting the levers and tread plates. The building itself continues to receive coats of paint internally and the glazer has now commenced on fitting the individual panes of glass into the frames.

 Above Left:- A view of the signal box interior in early February showing the freshly painted windows and associated woodwork - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- At the beginning of March the lever frame had been partially dismantled to allow some refurbishment work - Photo S. Pay
Below Left:- By the 7th March the tread plates had been refitted - Photo R. Sharpe
Below Right:- A few days later on 10th March some of the levers and operating catches have been installed into the frame - Photo R. Sharpe

Above Left:- A view from the locking room shows where all the levers will be fixed to the frame - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- A view late on the 10th March shows all the levers fitted into the frame. This is the first time since the mid 1980s when the frame was in Birchden Junction signal box, that it has all be assembled - Photo R. Sharpe

ERIDGE

At Eridge our contractors, Gamble Rail, have moved in to complete another stage of works on the track in readiness for the commencement of operations. A groundframe has been transported from Tunbridge Wells West for use in controlling the crossover that enters the bay platform. At the same time Gamble Rail have removed the former crossover that led from the mainline into the long siding. This has been done because of the amount of work that would be required to keep the points in operational condition for the amount of use they would see. The points however have been removed and placed into store for eventual use elsewhere. 

Above Left:- A view of some of the new signalling rodding along with a ground signal in the bay platform at Eridge in mid February - Photo M. Dives
Above Right:- A view towards London shows just one crossover remaining in position. The other crossover started just after the pointwork on the left and went back into the siding on the right. Some of the new rodding can be seen on the far right - Photo M. Dives

5th February - SIGNALLING UPDATE

Since the beginning of the year, work has continued to progress on the signal box and signal post bases.

Fitting out of the signal box continues along with work commencing on the lever frame, which has recently been moved out of storage into the building itself. 

January was spent making the framework up for the final signal base for this part of the signalling scheme. This base is located in the at the Tunbridge Wells end of the passing loop and will form the Up Starting signal for trains pulling into Groomrbridge platform. The foundation was dug out over a number of weeks in late 2009 and at the end of January the concrete base was poured. Once this has set and the framework removed, all that will remain to be done will be the retaining wall for both this base and the one at the far end of the loop for the Down Advanced Starting signal. 

Above Left:- The framework for the base under construction on 24th January - Photo R. Sharpe
Above Right:- On 31st January the concrete base has been cast, completing the project to cast all the bases for the new signal posts. As can be seen, a retaining wall is yet to be built at the back of the base - Photo R. Sharpe

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Last Updated 11th May 2011. © Spa Valley Railway