Tunbridge Wells West Trackbed Explored

Description

A short film showing all accessible track bed on this short stretch of disused single line.

The two stations at Tunbridge Wells, once finished in the late 1800s, needed a rail link between them. LBSCR set about building this in 1872. In railway history terms, it is a fairly late casualty, only being taken out of service in 1986.

Starting at Tunbridge Wells West station (home of the Spa Valley Railway), numerous shots of the old station building are taken across the station yard (now Sainsbury’s car park) using the embankment on the south side, much to the bemusement of some of the shoppers. A few views inside the building showing the fabulous multicoloured brickwork and fine features up close are also included.

The relationship between the remaining buildings and the track bed is shown and then we move off east to pick up the course of the line in the Montacute Road coach park. We slip quietly over the fence and under the recently repaired road bridge and then on through the tunnel, which is examined in some detail. The cutting running up to the road bridge carrying Warwick Park Road is travelled until extended gardens block the path of travel.

A footpath a few yards further east that used to carry pedestrians under the line is our next port of call, with unhindered access along the remaining track bed all the way to the old junction with the line that still serves the town today.

Includes constant running commentary and occasional irrelevant observations.