Tonbridge to Redhill - Hastings DEMU cab ride - 30 September 2017

Alpine Sunset, Part 1: Cab view from Tonbridge to Redhill. Filmed from our preserved Hastings DEMU on Saturday 30 September 2017, during our Alpine Sunset railtour.
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In this video we cover 19 miles and 56 chains, along the largely dead-straight run from Tonbridge to Redhill; this route was at one time operated by SR DEMU stock as part of the Tonbridge to Reading service.
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Video footage and its soundtrack are from an unattended unmonitored forward-facing cab-camera in motor coach 60118 Tunbridge Wells.
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This outing began at Hastings and ran via Tonbridge, Redhill and Guildford to Alton and onto the preserved Mid-Hants Watercress Line to Alresford. Following a shuttle service to and from Alton, it then retraced its steps to Aldershot; it ran via Camberley to Ascot, then to Reading, before returning via Wokingham to Guildford where the outward route was then retraced.
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0:00 - TONBRIDGE station
1:30 - Tonbridge West Junction
5:26 - Leigh station
7:12 - Penshurst Tunnel
7:23 - Penshurst station
12:52 - Edenbridge station
13:50 - Crossing over the Uckfield branch by bisecting Edenbridge Tunnel
15:20 - Site of Crowhurst Junction
15:40 - Crossing over the Oxted to East Grinstead branch
17:54 - Godstone station
18:57 - Bletchingley Tunnel
21:16 - Nutfield station
25:47 - Approaching Redhill and crossing over the Quarry Lines
26:22 - REDHILL station
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Video, soundtrack and captions © Copyright 2017-2018 Hastings Diesels Limited.
www.hastingsdiesels.co.uk/
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Equipment: video by GoPro Hero3+ camera with suction-mount and extra batteries; video production by Da Vinci Resolve (free).
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Here are annotated extracts from the Network Rail Section Appendix:
Outward - www.dropbox.com/s/gifxvmyc874...
Return - www.dropbox.com/s/k2baimok92q...
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[@IS-L]

This line saved a small aircraft many years ago. I arrived at work (London military air traffic centre) to find a private pilot was lost. Through triangulation and questions they thought he was somewhere in Kent. I asked my boss to ask if he could see a long strait railway anywhere and the reply was to his left. We steered him onto this line and sent him to Redhill.

[@dodgydruid]

Nice to see me dad's old box still standing at Tonbridge, he spent a while there as relief working the boxes around the area when he got promoted up from Cuxton as relief, have fond memory's of him sitting there at the table with his little rules books in the pastel colours learning all the box areas but they were closing lever panels down quicker than he could learn 'em. I also have fond memory's of where this line went through the old Philanthropic grounds between Nutfield and Redhill, often saw the ol' thumpers chuckling along their merry way as I was a "student" of that naughty boys school hehe, some years later when I worked for BR I was coming back to London on a mail train on that line and the driver of the 73 I was hitching a lift from let me have a go happy days :)

[@Charles-ey9qk]

So straight! Amazing in a country like England where land boundaries are anything but straight! New railways often needed to avoid particular unwelcoming estate owners.

[@peteweller117]

Used this line to go fishing in Tonbridge on Saturdays and school holidays with friends in the 60's. Usually, I set off around 7am from Redhill and came home when it got dark. I'd have about 11 at the time. I lived near Reigate at the time.

[@theovanstaden5766]

Very Good video, hi from south africa, Merry Christmas to all at Hastings Diesel Ltd, big like from me!

[@bingbong7316]

Long gone now, but opposite the up goods loop points at Redhill used to be the fullers earth sidings servicing the output from LaPorte's old works nearby, about 7 or 8 roads deep. There was a type of hopper wagon unique to this traffic which was a bit leaky; the sidings and surrounding area were inches deep in spilled material, very distinctive.

[@Azzabeaks59254]

Not gonna lie , Love these :)

[@KasabianFan44]

Press 5 for a really cool view of two tunnel portals either side of you

[@wentonmastermind]

Hello from Toronto - and thank you so much for uploading this video! I lived in Redhill for several years. There were two things missing from the video - the view of the Home Cottage across the road from Redhill Station, and the Lagham Arms at the entrance to South Godstone. the latter has an excellent combined pub and Indian restaurant. I have long felt that one of the most beautiful journeys by rail in the British Isles is Hastings to Hereford via Tonbridge, Redhill, Dorking, Guildford, Reading, Oxford, Worcester and Hereford (not necessarily in one day!)

[@hastingsdiesels]

Thank you, glad you liked it - naturally as I'm on the train I wouldn't be videoing things seen outside the station entrances, unless they happen to be seen from the forward view.

[@tobtnosike9433]

​​​​​​​​​​​​​@@hastingsdieselsHi Guys, I'm Toby Nosike, I'm Gonna Be Academy of Southeastern, Forever, Guys, This Only Southeastern 375 and Including 375/3s and 375/7 Southeastern DIVERSION but (Not Class 465s/466s or 376s in DIVERSION for Tonbridge, Redhill, Croydon and London Bridge because this Southeastern Class 465/466 and 376 is not allowed to Class 375's DIVERSION from East Croydon to London Bridge anymore because Southeastern Class 465/466, 376 and 375 going to Kent, Sevenoaks, My Orpington in Kent, Crofton, Beckenham (My New Place) and Penge Near Sydenham in London, Kent, but Not Croydon, Redhill and Sydenham in Kent, Surrey, London(Southeastern High Speed 395/0s is Not in Service at My Place Orpington (Kent) because Southeastren High Speed Class 395/0s is DIVERSION to Kent for My place Orpington and London Victoria or Going to Sevenoaks in Kent,) Thats for Class 375 Southeastern DIVERSION) for just Only to London Charing Cross Via Tonbridge (Kent), Redhill (Surrey, Kent and Purley in Surrey, Kent, It's My Academy Stuffs of Southeastern DIVERSION to Hastings via Tonbridge (Kent) and Tunbridge Wells (Kent) including Dover Priory, Canterbury West, Ashford International and Strood (Kent) because Southeastern Class 375 DIVERSION gets including to Dover Priory Travelled by Southeastern with My Academy Stuffs and Norwood Junction in Kent, London, On Surrey of My Brand New Places Wallington and Beddington "Welcome to Kent" at My Brand New places Wallington and Beddington in Surrey, Kent and another Places Croydon, Sydenham, Penge, Kent House, Coulsdon, Thornton Heath, Purley, Norwood, Redhill, Nutfield, Reedham, Hurst Green, Edenbridge, Uckfield, Sanderstead, Fairfield, Fieldway, Westenhanger, Addiscombe, Selsdon and Merstham in Kent From My Brand New place Orpington, Beckenham in Kent on My year 2022 and This place of Kent is Ebbsfleet, Crowbrough, Ashurst, Cowden, Hever, Leigh, Oxted, Strood, Bromley, Penshurst, Bekesbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Gravesend, Dartford, Northfleet, Rochester, Faversham and Tonbridge in Kent Near to This Place Waddon and My Brand New Places Wallington and Beddington of Croydon in Kent, Surrey, London Near to Crystal Palace in London, Kent, But This Southeastern class 375s is DIVERSION from Tonbridge (Kent) to London Bridge Via East Croydon (Surrey, Kent) near Purley in Surrey, Kent near Coulsdon or Norwood in Kent, London near Croydon in Kent, Surrey because of Journey on Southeastern Diversion about service to Hastings via East Croydon and Redhill, Service from London Cannon Street and London Charing Cross because of Diversion of Journey by Southeastern with My Academy Stuffs?

[@tobtnosike9433]

This Service to Hastings Via Tonbridge (Kent) and Redhill (Surrey, Kent and Purley in Surrey, Kent, It's My Academy Stuffs of Southeastern DIVERSION to Hastings via Tonbridge (Kent) and Tunbridge Wells (Kent) including Dover Priory, Canterbury West, Ashford International and Strood (Kent) because Southeastern Class 375 DIVERSION gets including to Dover Priory Travelled by Southeastern with My Academy Stuffs, On Surrey of My Brand New Places Wallington and Beddington "Welcome to Kent" at My Brand New places Wallington and Beddington in Surrey, Kent and another Places Croydon, Sydenham, Penge, Kent House, Coulsdon, Thornton Heath, Purley, Norwood, Redhill, Nutfield, Reedham, Hurst Green, Edenbridge, Uckfield, Sanderstead, Fairfield, Fieldway, Westenhanger, Addiscombe, Selsdon and Mersham in Kent From My Brand New place Orpington, Beckenham in Kent on My year 2022 and This place of Kent is Ebbsfleet, Crowbrough, Ashurst, Cowden, Hever, Leigh, Oxted, Strood, Bromley, Penshurst, Bekesbourne, Tunbridge Wells, Gravesend, Dartford, Northfleet, Rochester, Faversham and Tonbridge in Kent Near to This Place Waddon and My Brand New Places Wallington and Beddington of Croydon in Kent, Surrey, London Near to Crystal Palace in London, Kent.

[@robertcoleman4861]

Great thanks for posting cheers bob.

[@andrewjames3908]

Found an old BR management report yesterday from 1971 about the Channel Tunnel which suggested this as a high speed route for it (it also said it could be open by 1978!)

[@marke5503]

Regarding that tip at Godstone, not sure how long it has been disused; but I remember years ago (early 1980’s) we used to work spoil trains into there - it was old ballast that was dropped off at the tip. The ballast was cleaned and then sold on. The train usually consisted of a class 73 and Grampus wagons. Back then of course the line wasn’t electrified (and it was mechanically signalled) so the ED used to work on their diesel engine (which was a big ask on a freight train!), but because of the gentle gradients it wasn’t too hard on the loco. Later I think these workings were taken over by Cromptons.

[@hastingsdiesels]

Just to clarify, in my commentary I speculate that infrastructure is disused: by this I meant the railway bits - if I recall, the pointwork is clipped and padlocked, and it visually gives the impression of being disused too. I can’t comment on the tip itself.

[@steamsearcher]

Another lovely Video says he COMING OVER TO THE DARK SIDE OF MODERN TRACTION!!! Merry Christmas from David and Lily!

[@hastingsdiesels]

Maybe our 61-year-old DEMU is kind of a gateway drug... ;)

[@peckelhaze6934]

Nice run.

[@rayadams9580]

Used to travel from edenbridge to Tonbridge for 5 years when I was at school and went to hayesbrook

[@AndreiTupolev]

Having two AWS warnings so close together, like when approaching Redhill, could surely lead to confusion. Mind you, not as bad as Effingham Junction, where there's about six right after each other. Also note that there's no buffer stop, or even a board saying "STOP", to stop anything going a bit too far down the up siding and falling off the end. :-/

[@marvintpandroid2213]

I'm surprised that this route isn't used more for goods trains coming up from the channel tunnel, it would be an ideal bypass to London if the area around Redhill was given a bypass / flyover to the Guildford line and then up to Reading and onto Oxford and parts North

[@johnhopkinson695]

It was electrified for Channel Tunnel goods traffic and two loops put in at the Redhill end of the line. Main problem is lack of of direct connection to Guildford at Redhill, also lack of electrification on all the latter line.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

@@johnhopkinson695 Yes, I just took a look at the Redhill to Guildford line and it is lacking 3rd rail power, a bit of a wasted opportunity as there is 3rd rail from Guildford to Reading and overhead power from Reading to Didcot and soon to be all the way to south wales. The recently reopened rail underpass to the east of reading station would be ideal to take cargo trains from the Waterloo line under the main lines and onto the slow to Didcot. It appears to my mind that a flyover to the south of Redhill station would join the 2 lines up nicely, for the cost of +/- 400 meters of viaduct and maybe a dozen or two houses and a few business units that are in the way.

[@KasabianFan44]

@@marvintpandroid2213 The line from Guildford to Reading isn’t fully electrified either - only Guildford-Ash and Wokingham-Reading have the third rail.

[@marvintpandroid2213]

@@KasabianFan44 post from the past. isn't it? Oh well. Wouldn't take much. Merry Christmas

[@OlafProt]

I used to live behind the Reading-Tonbridge line in Dorking and as a kid in the 70s/80s and I dreamed of the third rail arriving!! It never made sense to me given that there was electrification at Guildford, and Reigate. But there you go. There used to be a fair amount of freight in that line particularly at night.

[@nicnak4475]

Hi brilliant video as always , what were those old concrete buildings to the left of the track at 11.40 used for ? maybe storage and workers shelter ?

[@Trainline5000]

Brilliant cab ride as always, Merry Christmas to all those at Hastings Diesels Ltd :) Also, a quick question, did you have any cab footage from your tour up to Crewe a few years back? Was just wondering and any response would be greatly appreciated :)

[@hastingsdiesels]

Thank you! Ah, to Crewe? That was July 2014, which was at a time when we weren’t filming cab views. Sorry!

[@Trainline5000]

@@hastingsdiesels That's ok, thank you for the response :)

[@Graham_Langley]

That rattle would have driven me mad.

[@anmolmehta7116]

Good video. Have you got a video of the journey ahead of Redhill Station?

[@hastingsdiesels]

Redhill to Guildford will be the next segment I publish.

[@PGATProductions]

why are the platforms staggered at edenbridge and godstone

[@HenrysAdventures]

Very interesting! This must be the longest strech of strate track in the UK.

[@Rob_33]

How long as the 40 mph restriction for the level crossing been there? Seems a bit extreme on a straight track

[@hastingsdiesels]

I don’t know. It must be some safety issue for users of the crossing.

[@Rob_33]

@@hastingsdiesels Thanks. Not travelled on this line for a long while but I don't remember it being there when the 119's used to run.

[@AndreiTupolev]

Why such a restriction in speed for that crossing on a dead straight line? It must waste a lot of energy braking and the accelerating again.

[@john_atco]

This line and its extension to Guidford & Reading provided a vital freight and passenger link during ww2. At this time of the covid 19 crises, it could do so again..One look at the rail map of Southern & Western regions of England will tell you why..Interconnection and the distribution of essential supply avoiding London ...Has the Department of Transport not looked into this obvious fact ?. like much of the UK,s rail network it is being underutilized at this time..Of course, there are technical difficulties but these can be overcome.

[@markcf83]

I forget when this line was electrified. When was it converted from diesel to electric operation?

[@hastingsdiesels]

Your answer is at 12:00 :-)

[@markcf83]

@@hastingsdiesels I did spot it. Consider this as my Homer Simpson moment..... #doh