Redgate Mill to Heathfield Cuckoo Line Tour

Description

A detailed film showing an exploration of most of the track bed, earthworks, tunnels, stations, bridges and other features that remain on this particularly difficult to access stretch of disused line.

Despite the title, the first scenes in the film are at the still used station at Eridge, where folk would have boarded trains to travel down the Cuckoo line. Subsequently, the line is picked up at Redgate Mill junction, where the Cuckoo line veered away from the current day line to Uckfield.

Closed in 1965, the line was well known for its deep cuttings, towering embankments and being a constant series of reverse curves that made it a potentially dangerous line to travel. At least one case of a loco jumping the rails killing it’s driver is documented in the history books. Apart from the numerous spectacular bridges, made from a beautiful brick and local stone mix, there are also two tunnels, numerous signal gantries, telegraph poles and other relics from the time of the railway.

The first station south of Redgate Mill junction was Rotherfield and Mark Cross and the owner of the property allowed full access to film the platform and surrounding area. At one time, there was a swimming pool between the platforms, whereas it is now a water feature in the garden, as seen in the film.

Although access was not gained into the delapidated Mayfield station, numerous views from the outside are included and a full explanation of how the bypass of 1990 was built along the track bed. Heathfield station is now a shop and numerous views from the outside are also to be seen here.

In addition to a good look at Argos Hill tunnel and a cycle through Heathfield tunnel, many extremely difficult to access views of the private and secluded track bed are included here; without doubt one of the hardest, but most rewarding disused railways to film in Sussex.

Keep a look out for the albino squirrel that lives in the forest near Heathfield!