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Ruden Way, EPSOM, KT17 3LP

Beyond the fence is the platform of Epsom Downs station.

Epsom Downs station is just a shadow of what it once was. Opened in 1865, it had nine platform faces, most of which were only used on race days. Tattenham Corner station is more convenient as it is much closer to the racecourse at Epsom Downs and consequently, as race traffic declined, there was no need for all the platforms at Epsom Downs station. Eventually only one island platform remained and then in 1989 the station was demolished to make way for a new housing estate and a new single platform station was built some 300 yards to the north-east. For more information and photographs see http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/e/epsom_downs/index.shtml During the day now there is an hourly service along the single track branch from Sutton. Here a Southern train awaits departure for Victoria via West Croydon.

c1930s housing in Fir Tree Road, although the road itself significantly predates any development, being shown on the 1871 1:10,000 map.

c1930s shopping parade in Fir Tree Road, near where it crosses Reigate Road at the Drift Bridge crossroads. Fir Tree Road itself significantly predates any development, being shown on the 1871 1:10,000 map.

Postbox topper on a postbox outside Epsom Downs Post Office in Fir Tree Road.

Epsom Downs station is just a shadow of what it once was. Opened in 1865, it had nine platform faces, most of which were only used on race days. Tattenham Corner station is more convenient as it is much closer to the racecourse at Epsom Downs and consequently, as race traffic declined, there was no need for all the platforms at Epsom Downs station. Eventually only one island platform remained and then in 1989 the station was demolished to make way for a new housing estate and a new single platform station was built some 300 yards to the north-east. For more information and photographs see http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/e/epsom_downs/index.shtml During the day now there is an hourly service along the single track branch to Sutton and then onwards via West Croydon to Victoria. The height reached by the railway at Epsom Downs can be gauged by the view seen here with The Gherkin and The Shard visible towards the right and the British Telecom Tower to the left. St Paul's Cathedral could be seen in between.

Shopping parade in Fir Tree Road. The postbox on the right has a topper (see Image).

c1930s shopping parade in Fir Tree Road, near where it crosses Reigate Road at the Drift Bridge crossroads. Fir Tree Road itself significantly predates any development, being shown on the 1871 1:10,000 map.

The first railway company to make the climb up towards Epsom race-course was the London, Brighton & South Coast, which arrived in 1865. Local opposition meant that its terminus was built more than half a mile from the nearest point on the course. Plainly that didn't deter race-goers: to handle race-day crowds the station had nine tracks. Some 36 years later a rival railway company built a line up to the race-course. The South Eastern & Chatham's terminus was at Tattenham Corner, and just a minute or so's walk from the course. The SE&CR's route from London was less direct - going 'all round the houses' via Purley and Tadworth - but its terminus was far more convenient for race-goers, so the Brighton line's terminus inevitably declined. The site of the old station was finally sold for residential development in 1989, so that the line now terminates at the site seen in the photo - several hundred yards further north-east (and further from the races). Just a single platform, just a single track. Someone I spoke to nearby told me that during Derby week passengers still flood in by the thousand.

c1930s shopping parade in Fir Tree Road, near where it crosses Reigate Road at the Drift Bridge crossroads. Fir Tree Road itself significantly predates any development, being shown on the 1871 1:10,000 map.