Wealden Line Campaign

OXTED LINES ELECTRIFICATION 1958-1964

British Railways announced the electrification programme of Oxted Line services in 1958 to follow on from the completion of Kent Coast Phases I and II. Introduction of full Oxted Line electric services was scheduled for summer 1964.

Fast through services between London and Brighton via Crowborough would be introduced. More intensive commuter services would also operate between London Victoria and East Grinstead and Tunbridge Wells West with trains splitting and joining at Hurst Green. This completely new station was specifically commissioned for this scheme with long platforms to accommodate the intended 12-car trains. It was opened on 12 June 1961 (on the same day that new electric trains commenced Phase II operation on Kent Coast lines). In preparation, a new signal box opened at Groombridge in 1958 as part of continuing Southern electrification.

This programme of modernization faltered with the proposed closure of Lewes- Uckfield. When this finally happened in 1969 the Groombridge-Ashurst loop was closed at the same time whilst the spiral of decline continued with Eridge-Tunbridge Wells being similarly extinguished in 1985.

The former main line from London Victoria to Tunbridge Wells.

The new control box of 1958 ended up lasting only 11 years after the entire Oxted lines electrification scheme was dropped.

New housing was allowed to obstruct the track at this point in 1992, but a realignment is possible to the right of the platform.