The District Controller's View No. 15 - Tunbridge Wells West & East Sussex
Sandwiched between the electrified lines of the former LBSCR and the main line of the SECR lay a fascinating network of lines which both radiated from Tunbridge Wells and provided a direct steam service between London and the South Coast. This was no collection of rural branch lines but a system that operated a busy business service during the rush hours and an impressive timetable of trains in between. Nothing on the system was straightforward: trains from London to Tunbridge Wells alternated between two routes, Eastbourne to London and Brighton to London trains met at Eridge to exchange coaches whilst push and pull stock was cheekily diagrammed as ordinary stock. The line also featured the last main line Birdcage set to be used in rush-hour service. The motive power fleet had been renewed during the early 1950's but the presence of LMS and BR 2-6-4T's on the faster trains did little to diminish the activities of older classes - indeed at least one business train enjoyed the services of an 0-4-4T whilst another was shared by a C2X 0-6-0 for one part of its journey and a Q 0-6-0 for the other. The books covers every facet of the system as it existed during the early 1950's.
Includes timetable, carriage workings loco diagrams and much more.
Softback, 112 pages, track diagrams, black & white photographs
ISBN: 9781901056426
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Updated: 29 December 2022