The Seaford Branch - Lewes to Seaford

I have found some recent views of the inside at www.abandoned-derelict.co.uk/newhaven-locomotive-workshop-urbex 2016 this website has now been deleted or moved.

Taken 'blind' from the Edinburgh Road bridge - single-handed over the parapet! It was straightened and cropped to get it to this state. For those unfamiliar with Seaford, the station is in the distance, parallel with the central red roof. The line is single from just east of the junction for the Newhaven Marine station branch. Most of the trains are these 313 class three coach sets, inherited from the North London line when London Overground took that over. On Brighton & Hove Albion FC home match days eight coach 377 emus are used, to accommodate fans going to and from their ground at Falmer. The once-a-day (in each direction) Seaford - London Victoria commuter services also use 377s. Otherwise travel to Gatwick, East Croydon & London, involves a change at Lewes (or Brighton - a longer journey but changing platforms is on the level.)

The station was packed on both days, especially on the Saturday, when there were stalls and children's activities there. Due to the station's location there isn't anywhere to get a view of the train in the area alongside the station building, except from the fairly narrow and very crowded platform. So I didn't even try. This is the nearest I got to it! Later - On checking my collection of photos from the event, I have found a long distance shot, that shows a view along the track, to an end-on view of the station building - www.ipernity.com/doc/philsutters/33211779

This is a long distance shot, that I originally discounted as not showing enough of the train. However it does, when cropped down, actually show the station building and the general atmosphere, quite nicely.

The last few hundred yards into the station the single track runs along beside The Salts recreation ground, with the railway on an embankment, shared with the A259, on the other side. This is the view from the park side, with the lamp standard showing the final few yards of the long platform. The far side of The Salts is the sea front.

As there is now no means of turning locomotives, or even running round the train, to haul it from the other end, these special trains usually have a second loco at the other end. This is nearly always a diesel. This is how this train would have run round to Brighton. It would then run with this loco in the lead, along the coast to Eastbourne, where it reversed again to Hastings before returning to London with steam leading.

You've seen this crossing before, but not with a steam engine on it!

The Fl ashing R ed 5s econd light in the little bay window to the right, is a navigational aid on the west side of Newhaven Harbour entrance. It seems a bit quirky to put it in a rail mounted cabin - a bit like a retired bathing machine!

Seaford's current platform, still numbered 2 although there is only one in use, has had its outer 2/3rds barricaded off for many years. Four coach trains are the usual maximum, with three coach class 313s the regular trains on the branch from Brighton via Lewes. With increased demand for trains to Brighton & Hove Albion's Amex Stadium at Falmer, it has now been decided to increase the trains to eight coaches around match times. So the whole platform length has been restored and resurfaced where needed. Falmer station is having to have its platforms lengthened, so as I write this there haven't been any reported sightings of longer trains. 15.10.2013

There is a very similar photo to this one, but this has less people visible.