Birchden - June 2000

This view northwards at Birchden has been retained as a comparison view with the next shot, following the winter 2002-03 relaying.

Although when it was taken, the line had been singled for over 10 years, a short stretch the former down line (ie for trains heading south) still existed just to the north of Birchden junction. However, young trees were gradually encroaching onto the ballast.

Until 1969 the section of line shown in this view towards Ashurst formed the western side of a railway triangle bounded by junctions at Birchden itself, Ashurst and Groombridge. The trees in the far distance are, in fact, growing on what remains of the northern side of that triangle. (Grid Ref. TQ 529 362)