Coulsdon North: Down the lines towards Redhill and Brighton, 1983

Image: © Ben Brooksbank Taken: 19 Jun 1983

View southwards from the footbridge at Coulsdon North station just before its final closure on 4/9/83: ex-LB&SC and SE&C lines from London (Victoria, London Bridge, Charing Cross) via East Croydon and Purley to Redhill and Brighton, etc. This station was originally 'Stoats Nest & Cane Hill', then 1911-1923 'Coulsdon & Smitham Downs'. Latterly, it was only the terminus of local trains from London and even these were run down in favour of through trains. These used the through platforms, but these tended to conflict after the quadrupling of the main line and the opening of the 'Quarry Line' (by-passing Redhill) in 1899, so most called instead at the ex-SE&CR station Coulsdon South. The two lines at far left are the original SER pair to Redhill passing through Coulsdon South - just visible. Directly on the right below are the ex-LB&SC fast lines, which join up in the distance with the middle pair of fast lines and then go straight ahead, under the Redhill lines in the Cane Hill covered way (former tunnel), to form the 'Quarry Line' by-pass. Over in the right distance are the sidings for the trains terminating at Coulsdon North. The ex-SE&C line through Smitham to Tattenham Corner is out of sight to the right. This whole area is now (2012) obscured by the A23 Coulsdon Relief roads.

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