IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Stafford Close, CATERHAM, CR3 6JP

The B2208 running into the centre of Caterham from the north. On the right are Bourne Court and Orbital House, both blocks of flats. In the foreground is postbox CR3 590.

This is the B2208. The green barrier on the left indicates where the Valley pub used to be - now demolished. There are some pictures of it here http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubpictures/57441/ .

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 a private company 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. In this photograph a Southern train awaits the start of its journey from the terminus at Caterham to London Bridge, whilst in the distance another train has just left.

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 a private company 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. In this photograph a Southern train awaits the start of its journey from the terminus at Caterham to London Bridge. The wooded nature of the Caterham Valley can be clearly seen beyond the platform.

Viewed from Stafford Road Library

An electric multiple unit (EMU) leaving Caterham station. Caterham is the terminus at the end of a branch line. The railway is electrified using the third rail system.

Waller Lane leads steeply uphill along the side of Caterham Valley from lower Caterham near the station and East Surrey Museum to upper Caterham at the High Street. In the whole time I walked up it not a single car passed, although the roads at the bottom and top were busy.