IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Aspen Vale, WHYTELEAFE, CR3 0YW

The first proposals for a railway along the Caterham Valley came in 1836 with the object of building a new London to Dover line through a mile long tunnel under the North Downs. It proved too costly and the existing line via Redhill was used. Instead Caterham received a branch line, built by Caterham Railway, a private company, and opened in 1856. The original purpose was to provide a convenient method of transporting the valuable building stone from the quarries at Godstone to London. Soon though the original purpose was overtaken by wealthy Victorian commuters using the line as the Caterham Valley developed. There were early frustrations for these commuters, for example, in the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway arranging for the connecting train at Godstone Road (now Purley) station to leave one minute before the Caterham train arrived. The Caterham branch was increased from single to double track by January 1st 1900 and Whyteleafe station was opened on the same day. A train is just leaving on its way to Kenley. Riddlesdown is on the horizon.

The first proposals for a railway along the Caterham Valley came in 1836 with the object of building a new London to Dover line through a mile long tunnel under the North Downs. It proved too costly and the existing line via Redhill was used. Instead Caterham received a branch line, built by Caterham Railway, a private company, and opened in 1856. The original purpose was to provide a convenient method of transporting the valuable building stone from the quarries at Godstone to London. Soon though the original purpose was overtaken by wealthy Victorian commuters using the line as the Caterham Valley developed. There were early frustrations for these commuters, for example, in the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway arranging for the connecting train at Godstone Road (now Purley) station to leave one minute before the Caterham train arrived. The Caterham branch was increased from single to double track by January 1st 1900 and Whyteleafe station was opened on the same day. This view looks up the line from underneath the footbridge. Riddlesdown is on the horizon.

Dropping down from its junction with Hornchurch Hill, and followed by the Tandridge Border Path.

Alongside the North Downs

From the level crossing, looking towards Purley.

Opened in 1900 by the South Eastern & Chatham Railway on the branch line from Purley to Caterham. View south towards Whyteleafe South and Caterham.

The first proposals for a railway along the Caterham Valley came in 1836 with the object of building a new London to Dover line through a mile long tunnel under the North Downs. It proved too costly and the existing line via Redhill was used. Instead Caterham received a branch line, built by Caterham Railway, a private company, and opened in 1856. The original purpose was to provide a convenient method of transporting the valuable building stone from the quarries at Godstone to London. Soon though the original purpose was overtaken by wealthy Victorian commuters using the line as the Caterham Valley developed. There were early frustrations for these commuters, for example, in the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway arranging for the connecting train at Godstone Road (now Purley) station to leave one minute before the Caterham train arrived. The Caterham branch was increased from single to double track by January 1st 1900 and Whyteleafe station was opened on the same day. This view looks down the line towards Whyteleafe South and Caterham. A level crossing is just beyond the station.

The first proposals for a railway along the Caterham Valley came in 1836 with the object of building a new London to Dover line through a mile long tunnel under the North Downs. It proved too costly and the existing line via Redhill was used. Instead Caterham received a branch line, built by Caterham Railway, a private company, and opened in 1856. The original purpose was to provide a convenient method of transporting the valuable building stone from the quarries at Godstone to London. Soon though the original purpose was overtaken by wealthy Victorian commuters using the line as the Caterham Valley developed. There were early frustrations for these commuters, for example, in the London, Brighton & South Coast Railway arranging for the connecting train at Godstone Road (now Purley) station to leave one minute before the Caterham train arrived. The Caterham branch was increased from single to double track by January 1st 1900 and Whyteleafe station was opened on the same day. This view looks up the line from underneath the footbridge. Riddlesdown is on the horizon.

View north, towards Purley, East Croydon and London: ex-SE&CR Purley - Caterham branch.