Searching for the Cuckoo Railway Line's Lost Tunnels
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
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In this weeks adventure we (Paul and Rebecca) go in search of four tunnels in Sussex. The Cuckoo Railway line stretched from Tunbridge Wells in Kent down to the coast near Polegate. Join us as we try to find some forgotten railway infrastructure along the way.
We search for: Grove Tunnel, Argos Hill, Mayfield Tunnel and Viaduct and Heathfield Tunnel.
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Thank you for this. I just think of all the men that built these tunnels, all their blood sweat and tears and all that effort. Now abandoned and forgotten.
Argos Hill is interesting. Clearly built as an open cut and then roofed over. The side walls with the arching is classic retaining wall design where the walls had to be vertical (or nearly vertical). The arching gave it great strength against side-thrust. This feature can also be seen on the cut and cover sections of the Circle Line. Incidentally, when is a bridge a tunnel? Two answers. Firstly, for operational reasons it is when it is over a certain length (50 yds or so, I can’t quite remember). It’s so different parts of the rule book can be applied. Secondly and more accurately, a bridge is ‘built over’ something whereas a tunnel is ‘dug through’ something (it is literally “tunnelled”). A cutting that is roofed over is not a true tunnel from an engineering perspective but is more akin to a bridge. So, thank you once again, another really interesting video; yes Rebecca, I do love a good tunnel (or two, or three)!
As a user of the line from Hailsham to Eastbourne when a child, it was nice to see bits of the old Cuckoo Line, so named, because it is said that the first cuckoo of Spring was released from a basket at Heathfield Fair (still called the Heffle Fair when I was young).
I could watch your content from dawn till dusk, very relaxing and interesting.
God bless you both for your what you do. Don't ever stop.
I first explored the Heathfield Tunnel in the 1980's. Then, the Station Platforms were still there and the stairway from the Booking Hall (now a Wood-Burning Stove and Accessories Store) was cut off from the Platform. There was a large Water Tank with brick-built service rooms beneath. The Bluebell Railway, at that time, was looking for just such a Water-tank for Horsted Keynes Station but transporting it was too costly. The track bed to Hailsham and beyond is now a cycle path - I think the Heathfield Council should re-open the Tunnel and install lighting and continue the Cycle Path through it and beyond. Thanks for your excellent video - brings back many pleasant family cycling trips!
Lighting is installed in the tunnel, until a few years ago the tunnel was open for public access during summer months, the tunnel connects to the skate park at other end, but was then closed during winter months, but unfortunately now closed permanently.
Yes, there was lighting but they were smashed up by anti social yobs. No surprise there. Trouble is there is no management now and the millennium green has been left to rot. Graffiti now adorns the old bridges on the route north from Heathfield tunnel and its no longer a real pleasure to walk it as its ruined. Thanks to mindless yobs, and authorities who don't have the balls to get these scrotes and throw the book at them.
Thank you for another great video, keep smiling and stay well
So much infastructure left abandoned when these lines close! It's great that some get new life! But it's also great to find a hidden treasure like you have! Well done guys 👍🖖♥️
Thank you for showing so much of the details of the tunnels.
Love it. I grew up in crowborough and that area very well.
I used to travel. as a child often between Wateringbury and Eastbourne on the Cuckoo line. There used to be a Natural Gas well and gas lighting at the south end of Heathfield Tunnel. The County Council did not support keeping the line open, and have spent more money than building the line on Cycle Paths, such is progree.
We all love a good tunnel 😂another great video guys.
If you wander why the Tunbridge Wells West line survived until the 1980s and was then closed was due to tunnels! When the Tunbridge - Hasting line was built the tunnels were not built properly. As a result a lining had to be added to the them. Now the loading gauge was less so special smaller trains were required (I think, but not sure, they had the nickname Tadpoles). In the 1980s new stock was required. Having special coaches was no longer an option. The option was to increase the size of the tunnel south of the station was costly. Hence they decided to close the line to the West station and single the track through the South tunnel.
Thanks Simon. Never knew that!
The Tadpole Units were a 3 car hybrid of 2 Hastings guage cars and a standard guage ex EPB car. Hence the name Tadpole due to the shape. Because they had a standard guage car in them they could not work the Hastings line. They were formed to work mainly Reading to Tonbridge. The Hastings line was worked by narrow loading guage 6 car "Hastings" units.
I love these types of shows!
Thank you
Great tunnel finds and the bridge in the field really hidden away was a really good find you wouldn't think that a railway line was ever in the area until you realise that the ground is an embankment that your stood on I just love to see these old railway lines and historical places of interest. I just find it a shame that some of the more accessible lines are not repurposed for cycle paths or just walking path for everybody to enjoy the great outdoors.
Thanks David, completely agree. Many people assume its bad having a cycle route as it reduces the likelyhood for a railway to return, however we do feel thats often extremely unlikely anyway!
Superb vlog guys. Thanks very much. Superb infrastructure for all to see.. Another box ticked.
Well worth the wait guys. Some really interesting tunnels, didn’t know there were so many. Nice to hear the quick blast on Sir Keith Park’s Bulleid whistle at the start of the video.
Haha.... wondered what that was.
GREAT STUFF !! Cant wait. Stay safe you guys.
The Victorians knew how to build stuff to last
Absolutely
Quite a beautiful place. Loving those pathways towards the tunnel entrances. Really entertaining video.
Team I remembered my old college days when I was in Higher grade we learnt about this section of Sussex and Tunbridge wells Station.
In my part of Ireland i.e. Waterford we have made greenways to save the infrastructure and help people to exercise on safe paths. The Waterford Greenway is 40kms with tunnels viaducts and bridges over and under the main road The N25. More old railway lines are been opened up as Greenways in our area. Waterford to New Ross and Youghal to Midleton.
Perhaps I shouldn't be picky, but I wouldn't count Grove tunnel as part of the Cuckoo Line. It was mainly served by trains from Oxted to Tonbridge, and the Cuckoo Line trains started at Tunbridge Wells West. A lot of the time so did most of the Brighton trains, the currently used path from Ashurst to Eridge seeing a few trains a day only. When I used to go to see my grandma in Eastbourne (the sort of place grandmas lived) it was much quicker to use the electric service from East Croydon, but more fun to take the steam train, changing at Oxted and TWW. TWW also had an engine shed right next to the station - bliss for small boys!
Its a tough call as to exactly where the line started. But either way we wanted to stick this tunnel in a video somewhere so here it is.
@@pwhitewick Fair dos. But one day I'd love to walk through that tunnel, for old time's sake. But it's a long way from Devon, so you'll probably have to do it for me. Take your time; you have other tunnels to explore.
Yes, it's a real shame that Heathfield tunnel is closed - especially after it was surfaced throughout and lit. Sustrans have wanted to open the route north of there for walkers and cyclists as part or Route 21 but nothing has happened - the public route ends at a fence (with a gap) and you have to trespass after that!
Ah we didn't see the gap. Guessing it was at the southern end?
@@pwhitewick The fence is at the northern end of the part that is open to the public going from Heathfield towards Mayfield. The fence looks very forbidding being made of scaffold bars but there is (or was) a gap allowing anyone to go through. The route continues until you reach an over bridge and what looks like part of somebody's garden - I haven't explored beyond there but the intact route continues after that.
Mayfield Tunnel may be gone under the bypass but it is preserved in film in the cult TV series The Prisoner when in the final episode Fall Out, No 6 uses it as an escape route from the village in a lorry that runs through the tunnel and crashes out through gates on the end
Brilliant.
It’s wonderful seeing your adventures. This reminds me of a disused incline tunnel in Cornwall that would have come up under the supermarkets car park. I think it was called the Whim and it used to take railway trucks down to the harbour from the headland above. Quite a drop and the trucks where loaded and run down on a cable system to the harbour where they could be used to take the fish to the raialway above. The tunnel at the car park end is obviously capped off but the bottom end is accessible and it’s privately owned and used as a storage for gig racing bloats. Worth a look if you a very down there .
Lovely stuff. Have to say I'm not so keen on the stations one week, infrastructure the next, but a good viaduct always helps. Keep doing what you do, it's great.
I really enjoy watching these videos. Thank you for posting them.
Our pleasure!
Heathfield tunnel is crazy when through it before than added lights etc then when it was open and like you say just like the Bath tunnels it was really well acuminated shame on the council! My next of the woods so done this line many times over the years.
Unlike Bath, Heathfield in general had anti social behaviour problem. The tunnel was first closed after a rape attack. It was reopened again but after constant problems it was closed again. I’m assuming the police would have been involved in the alleged problems. Bath just doesn’t seem to have any difficulties, luckily!
Another great video. Thanks Paul and Rebecca
Fascinating. What an interesting vlog. Loved it . Thank you.
Thanks Shirley
i was pleased to find the egg shaped tunnel here. it is the same design as our beloved illawarra line tunnels at Helensburgh, NSW and reasonably rare. each example in the uk gives us a clue to the design choice and technological transfers to the contractor
Very Enjoyable Thank You.
Cool, I live near these places. Had no idea that half of this was there!
Get exploring.... 🙂
At 8:06 it is not a tunnel, it is a Culvert. Usually built for conducting a natural watercourse. I went on trains during the last week of their running between Ebridge and Tunbridge Wells. During that week Tunbridge Wells West was decked out in black (mostly bin liners!) and got tickets to prove I had made the journey. There was a huge Signal Gantry at Tunbridge Wells West.
Well done you two so interesting as usual thank you from NZ
Really excellent. Well done
Yes some are decorative
Great video. Thank you! To be pedantic (who, moi?!) Grove Tunnel in Tunbridge Wells is not part of the "Cuckoo Line" but was built to form a connection between the South Eastern Railway's Tunbridge Wells Ctl. and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway's Tunbridge Wells West. This was, indeed, still in use until the 1980's for services between Tonbridge and Eridge (which WAS on the "Cuckoo Line") The "Cuckoo Line" was double-tracked throughout as it formed a main line between Tunbridge Wells West/ London (via Oxted) and Eastbourne.
hey paul and rebecca , another super cool video , i must say i really do like these tunnel ones , well done and thank you :)
Always enjoy your videos! Thanks for another awesome one!
Thanks Mike
Thanks for a great video. Brilliant job.
Thanks Andrew. Much appreciated
So glad trespassing isn't illegal in the UK, since a lot of railway structures are hard to see without going into car parks and fields. Still, gotta respect people's wishes if they object to you being there.
At some point, I'll have to go back and watch all your previous videos, since these are all very interesting.
I used to use the train from Tombridge to TWW, Eridge and down to Uckfield quite often to get to the Bluebell Railway many years ago. Your assumption that TWW was an impressive station is quite correct, the Brighton wanted something suited to Royal Tunbridge Wells and they got it. The Spa Valley line is very well worth visiting.
We would love to go there in 2021.... I saw a few deisels so its already got my vote
The tunnel in Heathfield runs under the main high street then ends at the skate park directly in front of Heathfields old train station
Very good video, really enjoy your tunnel exploring
This is just creepy! I was in Killen not long ago and wondered what was left at the old station and a few days after you made a video on it! Just today I was looking at the Cuckoo line online and you make a video about it!
When you go down the ramp and turn left to get to the end of the tunnel if you turned right and followed the remaining part of the trail to mayfield there is another viaduct, not quite as big but still quite spectacular
At thats a shame we missed it!
The brickwork of that viaduct is incredible. I would love to hear Martin Zero's thoughts on it!
I'm sure he would come prepared with Wellies and torch lol!
Great little video guys! Keep up the good work!
Great video. Looked like a lot of fun.
Twas a great day!
Hi Paul and Rebecca. The post at Hellingly you mentioned was part of the Electric overhead railway branch line to the former Hellingly Asylum/hospital which spurred off to the right. Not much remains now. Until a few years ago the huge abandoned Asylum was demolished and developed into a housing estate. You missed the ground frame to the right ( facing North) where you were filming .I live in Hailsham by the way! If you continue down the Cuckoo trail to Polegate you end up at the Old Polegate station which was unfortunately demolished last year and replaced by convenance shop and flats. Apparently the old Polegate station featured a vast array of sidings during the steam days. The Tunnel at Heathfield used to be open till a few years ago. Amazing Architecture internally! Shame you had bad weather. The Cuckoo trail is a great cycle ride on a dry day. Enjoyed the video. Recommend walking the Lewes to Uckfield line. Some great finds though some of it is private. Some not. Cheers Richard
Really enjoyed that thanks. Just love the tunnels. Shame that one was shut off. It should be used, council rather miserable there. Anyway I loved seeing them and walking with you. Thanks for taking me along and please stay safe and take care
I think it was Martin Zero who said that the arch areas within the tunnels were for persons to step into if a train came while they were in the way. ????
Yup thats normally the case, but we've never seen so many so close together.
There’s two tunnels, one that runs from Barry island to Barry pier and the other one at Jackson bay. both blocked at least one end.
Also there’s one that runs under the river Ely Cardiff. From the old penarth docks to Cardiff side
All could be worth looking at.
Just stumbled on this. Here in Michigan USA the unprofitable train lines are being converted to bicycle traffic.
Thanks for the comment. Yup very much the same here too
"LAB XING"
An 'X' can be known as a 'Cross', so it means Crossing (as in, a railway level crossing).
We surprised ourselves how silly we were for not seeing that!
Great vid. Excellent research as usual! 👍
There's another bridge up a track along newick lane nearer to Mayfield. Ex's parents used to live on a farm that is right next to the track bed.
Really good video, wish they'd stop blocking bloody tunnels up!
These days most tunnels as you know are dug using boring machines. This video was the antithesis of boring !! 😎👍👍
The closure of Heathfield tunnel is a little more complicated than simple `politics`. It was completely refurbed in 1997 and the gate fitted in 1999 for daylight only use. It was opened fully open in 2002 however the first full closure was in 2005 following an alleged rape, it reopened again in 2007 until 2019 when it was shut again, owing to frequent vandalism and anti social behaviour (as mentioned below by another poster, many locals would avoid it in the evenings for fear of robbery and assault which happened alot). The other issue is that it doesn't really go anywhere. The path North, a much wanted extension is blocked by a dozen land owners who dont want the path at all. If the land issue can be solved, then im sure funding could be found for a full opening and security work on the tunnel.
Such a stark contrast to others we have visited. Bath two tunnels over a mile long with no issues. We don't know the area so I'm sure there is (as you suggest) more to it. A real shame.
That fence that blocks the tunnel of. Is well engineered. Very high. Definatley stop any 1 getting through
Wow, never seen a tunnel with that many refuges!
Surely structural necessity rather than refuge spaces.
Shame about heathfield tunnel I have walked through there when it was open and a lovely tunnel to explore
We had a tunnel under our local store too. Apparently some unscrupulous characters had dug a tunnel under the store to pinch the money out of the cash machine. History I love it. 🤜
There was another Cuckoo Railway in Stockton-on-Tees, the birthplace of the loco pulled passenger railway. I remember it as a goods line and have no idea where it ran other that certain parts of line that ran through the town. I doubt it has any tunnels though.
superb vid
Thanks chris
Great video as always! I recently visited the Spa Valley Railway, had a look but didn't get into Grove Tunnel. I was thinking they could have made the trackbed through Grove Tunnel into a footpath which could join an existing public footpath near the former junction. But then if they had to close Halisham tunnel due to so called anti social behaviour it looks like there's not much chance!
We do love a good tunnel
Good channel, guys. More of it!
Thanks Marc. 154 vids in the back catalogue and looooooads planned. Stay tuned.
I didn't realise there was a tunnel at Mayfield. It looks like another skew-bridge. I remember the Mayfield bypass opening in 1990 I think and the station being left high and dry!
I think you are right, probably similar to Argos Hill.
Ahh nice to see Rebecca doing a bit more commentary 👌 great video.
Nothing like penetrating a disused tunnel - nice job whitewicks great video 👍🏻
Hello from Tennessee!!
I love a good tunnel.
I sadly never have funds to support, but on the other hand, I get the chance to comment while the adverts are running. 👍☺️
loving all your videos, living in the south east did you ever trace the line back to eastbourne where it ravels from hailsham through to stonecross, polegate (where the platform and the tunnel to the platform still exists but its bricked up on the junction of black path and heron ridge) the platform can be seen from the car park and the new housing estate, but the bridge was taken down for the branch line at the end of heron ridge
There use to be a tramp under the bridge before Grove Tunnel almost guarding it till I gave him some food from Sainsburys then he was happy to let me walk through his tunnel LOL
Lol. Which is fair game.
Nice to see a very local landmark for me - I used to live just up from the cuckoo trail car park in Heathfield. Shame you didn't highlight the gorgeous station building in the town which is still there.
I was growing up there when they made the Heathfield tunnel safe and saw them making those gates on a school trip. Opened for millennium (was called millennium walk for a bit) and very sad that they closed it less than 20 years later. Almost purely down to cost cutting (lighting & manning gates) than anything else. Believe there were rumours of sexual assault which happened down there but that could happen literally anywhere and not a reason to close places.
Frustratingly we were lead to believe there was nothing left of Heathfield station.
In Coalville in Leicestershire there it a town called Whitewick, you have to go and find something there, has to be sonatina. The Whitewicks go to Whitewick
Haha... we have plans.... isn't it whitwick?
@@pwhitewick yes it is, when I drove through it the other day I seen that, but they don't pronounce it with a e, the locals call it as you name is.
Wow didn't realise how local this was to me.
Worth an explore?
@@pwhitewick deffo especially atm given nothing is open.
I have been in that tunnel in heathfield.
The recesses in the tunnel were referred to as bolt holes, being a place of refuge for PW staff
Lots of them though!
Woo hoo a notification the same day!! U tube is mended. 😀😀When you were in Scotland did you go to Maryhill shopping centre in Glasgow, has an abandoned railway in the basement in case the line is ever reopened. .seeing the co-op there reminded me of it.
P.s that was when i lived there in '85.till 93 apparently its been rebuilt since then so it might have been lost.
You are not the first to say that, lets hope you are right!
@@Mitch-Hendren according to Wiki, the void is still there.
Finally you've grown a pair (not you Rebecca) and have decided that a little trespassing hurts nobody (interestingly I've recently learned that in law you can't actually be prosecuted for trespass and can only be asked to leave). Great video. I was born just down the road in Crawley so this brought back great memories. A fond hello but now from Queensland Australia
Unless you trespass on the railway which is an offence punishable by fine.
Yup you can't be prosecuted, but you can be taken to a civil court, regardless of damaged caused you can be fined. Especially if yo stick evidence on youtube for thousands to see!
Loved that. Shame about the Asbo for the coop tunnel
Yup, only a short one as well so a tad dissapointing
@@pwhitewick it’s ok 👌 keep them coming :)
Have you done the Forest Way? It was Dr Beechings commute line, apparently, which he still had shut! Tunbridge Wells to, I think, East Grinstead.
just found your channel have a lot to look at keep up the good work
Thanks Philip. 155 videos to catch up.... go make a brew and put your feet up.
@@pwhitewick done 15 today do some more tomorrow
@@pwhitewick just to let you know done 30 videos now keep up the good work
@@philipeaton3102 keeeeeeeep going
I helped lay the public right of way cuckoo path from Polegate to Hailsham
Beautiful tunnel. I am curious about the apparent arched recesses. Are they just for looks? As far as the Council closing up that tunnel, it only takes 1 or 2 bad apples to cause some troubles. Then good folks like you and us are Gates outside. Just a thought. Hopefully videos like yours will change some minds. Thanks for traveling and sharing.
Nothing wrong with the odd tunnel! 👍
You have a lot of places to hike to.
The list is endless.....
Snacks ready, watching now 😎
Xing is what the US put on their road signs to warn of wild animals, there are various animal ones you can buy including frogs!
Thanks for the info about the viaduct must check that out. Did you know Mayfield tunnel was used in the last episode of The Prisoner? when the cage pulled by a lorry bursts out of it
The cuckoo line didn't go to Tunbridge well West, it went to eridge where the Tunbridge wells west line met the cuckoo line then on through Groombridge, Hartfield, forest Row and East Grinstead.
I guess the arches in that tunnel provide the strength but use less bricks. A bit like the holes in the walls of York station.
Orf moi laaaaand! ... pity they closed that tunnel, some people just can’t behave can they 😕
As mentioned before, we all love a good tunnel, what i don't like is when an inept council, or money laundering racket close a tunnel with no valid reason, the only antisocial behaviour I see is from the money laundering racket.
Politics aside, another great video of an old line that should never been allowed to close.
I know I'm kind of randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to stream newly released movies online?
@Alexis Ernesto Flixportal xD
@Dean Valentino Thanks, I went there and it seems like a nice service :) Appreciate it !!
@Alexis Ernesto Glad I could help =)
awsome
Thanks
Good video guys 😃🍻👍🏻