Editing Oxted line (section)

==Route==
===Overview===
The Oxted line is a railway line in southern England. It links central London and the [[London Borough of Croydon|borough of Croydon]] with the towns of [[Oxted]], [[East Grinstead]], [[Edenbridge, Kent|Edenbridge]], [[Crowborough]] and [[Uckfield]]. The route passes through the counties of [[Greater London]], [[Surrey]], [[Kent]], [[East Sussex]] and [[West Sussex]].{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|pp=11, 14}}{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|p=116}} Four stations are in the [[London fare zones]]: [[South Croydon railway station|South Croydon station]] is in Zone 5; {{rws|Sanderstead}}, {{rws|Riddlesdown}} and {{rws|Upper Warlingham}} are in Zone 6.<ref>{{cite web |title= London's rail & tube services |date= December 2023 |publisher= Transport for London |location= London |url= https://content.tfl.gov.uk/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf |access-date= 2 February 2024 }}</ref> The name "Oxted Line" was first used in 1989 by [[Network SouthEast]], the then operator of the route.{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|pp=11, 14}}{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|p=116}} 

The Oxted line diverges from the [[Brighton Main Line]] at South Croydon Junction, immediately to the south of South Croydon station, and climbs along the eastern side of the [[Caterham]] valley, initially parallel to the [[Caterham line]].{{sfn|Jackson|1999|pp=73–74}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=117}} At Hurst Green Junction, south of [[Hurst Green railway station|Hurst Green station]], the line line splits into two, with an [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrified]] branch running to {{rws|East Grinstead}} and an unelectrified branch running to {{rws|Uckfield}}.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=20}} Both routes previously continued south beyond their current termini to {{rws|Lewes}}, but these lines were closed in the mid-20th century.{{sfn|Gould|2003|p=58}}<ref name=Fellows_1982>{{cite magazine |last= Fellows |first= E.W. |date= March 1982 |title= The Oxted Lines: Present and future |magazine= Railway World |volume= 43 |issue= 508 |pages= 118–122 |issn= 0033-9032}}</ref> Although the South Croydon–East Grinstead section is double track throughout, the Uckfield branch was mostly converted to single track south of {{rws|Hever}} in 1990.{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=109–112}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=101–104}}<ref name=MR_2017>{{cite magazine |title= Wires through The Weald |date= 24 August 2017 |magazine= Modern Railways |url= https://www.modernrailways.com/article/wires-through-weald |access-date= 24 September 2024 |url-access= subscription}}</ref>

[[File:Oxted Line Off-Peak Service Map.jpg|thumb|right|Hourly off-peak service pattern]]
Three distinct services operate on the Oxted line:
* {{rws|London Victoria}}–East Grinstead operated by [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]] using [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377]] electric multiple units;{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=109–112}}
* {{rws|London Bridge}}–Uckfield operated by Southern using [[British Rail Class 171|Class 171]] diesel multiple units;{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=101–104}}<ref name=RAIL_2024>{{cite magazine |title= Govia Thameslink Railway eyes diesel elimination |date= 30 January 2024 |magazine= RAIL |url= https://www.railmagazine.com/news/fleet/2024/01/30/govia-thameslink-railway-eyes-diesel-elimination |access-date= 25 September 2024 }}</ref>
* [[Thameslink]] services to-and-from East Grinstead during weekday peak hours only, operated by [[British Rail Class 700|Class 700]] electric multiple units.<ref name=TRUK_Sept_2018>{{cite magazine |last= Lawford |first= Nick |date= September 2015 |title= The Siemens Class 700 EMUs |magazine= Today's Railways UK |issue= 205 |pages= 48–56 }}</ref><ref name=MR_TLR>{{cite magazine |title= Thameslink ramp-up begins |magazine= Modern Railways |url= https://www.modernrailways.com/article/thameslink-ramp-begins |access-date= 21 September 2024 |url-access= subscription }}</ref>
With the exception of the Thameslink services, Oxted line trains do not call at South Croydon. North of {{rws|East Croydon}}, trains to London Victoria call only at {{rws|Clapham Junction}}, whereas those operated by Class 171 and 700 units run fast to London Bridge. In general, trains to-and-from Uckfield do not call at Sanderstead, Riddlesdown, Upper Warlingham and {{rws|Woldingham}}.<ref>{{cite web |title= N: Uckfield, East Grinstead and Oxted to Croydon and London |date= 3 June 2024 |publisher= Govia |url= https://timetables.southernrailway.com/SN/#/timetables/2784/Table%20N |access-date= 25 September 2024 }}</ref>

===South Croydon–East Grinstead===
[[File:Cook's Pond Viaduct - geograph.org.uk - 163811.jpg|thumb|right|A [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377]] unit crosses Cooks Pond Viaduct between {{rws|Dormans}} and {{rws|East Grinstead}}.]]
The South Croydon–East Grinstead section of the Oxted line is {{cvt|18|mi|26|ch}} in length and has 10 stations in total.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}} South Croydon station has five platforms, of which only three are accessible for Oxted Line trains; Oxted station has three platforms, one of which is a south-facing [[bay platform|bay]]; all other stations (Sanderstead, Riddlesdown, Upper Warlingham, Woldingham, Hurst Green, {{rws|Lingfield}}, {{rws|Dormans}} and East Grinstead) have two platforms each.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}} All stations are managed by Southern.<ref>{{unbulleted list citebundle | {{cite web |title= South Croydon (SCY) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/SCY/South-Croydon |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Sanderstead (SNR) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/SNR/Sanderstead |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Riddlesdown (RDD) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/RDD/Riddlesdown |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Upper Warlingham (UWL) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/UWL/Upper-Warlingham |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Woldingham (WOH) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/WOH/Woldingham |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Oxted (OXT) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/OXT/Oxted |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Hurst Green (HUR) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/HUR/hurst-green |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Lingfield (LFD) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/LFD/Lingfield |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Dormans (DMS) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/DMS/Dormans |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= East Grinstead (EGR) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/EGR/East-Grinstead |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} }}</ref> This section of the line serves [[Lingfield Park Racecourse]], around {{cvt|1/4|mi}} from Lingfield station,{{sfn|Gould|2003|p=45}} and interchange is available with the [[Bluebell Railway]], a [[heritage railway]], at East Grinstead.<ref name=BBC_2013>{{cite news |title= Sussex sees first steam train on extended Bluebell Railway  |date= 23 March 2013 |work= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-21853230  |access-date= 21 September 2024 }}</ref>

The South Croydon–East Grinstead section of the Oxted line is electrified using the 750 [[Volt|V]] [[direct current|DC]] [[third rail|third-rail]] system and is double track throughout.{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=109–112}} North of Upper Warlingham, the signalling is controlled by Three Bridges Area Signalling Centre, but the rest of the line is controlled from Oxted Signal Box. The maximum line speed is {{cvt|85|mph}} and trains typically reach East Croydon from East Grinstead in around 35–40 minutes.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=109–112}} The maximum gradient on this section is 1 in 67, south of Dormans.<ref name=Fellows_1982/> The summit of the line is on the north side of Oxted Tunnel, the longest on the line at {{cvt|1|mi|501|yd}}.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}}{{sfn|Gould|2003|p=14}} There are two other tunnels: the {{cvt|837|yd|adj=on}} Riddlesdown Tunnel and the {{cvt|565|yd|adj=on}} Limpsfield Tunnel.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=117}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=20}} There are four viaducts on the South Croydon–East Grinstead section at Riddlesdown, Warlingham, Oxted and Cooks Pond (near Dormans).{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=218}}{{sfn|Gould|2003|p=13}} Between Hurst Green and Lingfield, the line passes beneath the [[Redhill–Tonbridge line]], although the Crowhurst spur connecting the two was closed in 1965.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988|p=85}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc= Fig. 27}} 
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap"|Stations on the South Croydon–East Grinstead section {{nobold|(ordered from north to south)}}
|-
!scope="col"|Station
!scope="col"|Distance from London Victoria<br> via East Croydon{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO530}}
!scope="col"|Number of<br> platforms
!scope="col"|Opening date 
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Original name
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref.
|- style="background:#F8F8FF"
|{{rws|South Croydon}}||{{cvt|11|mi|21|ch}}||5 (3 for Oxted line)||{{date table sorting|2 January 1865}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=421}}
|-
|{{rws|Sanderstead}}||{{cvt|12|mi|23|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|10 March 1884}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=404}}
|-
|{{rws|Riddlesdown}}||{{cvt|13|mi|38|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|5 June 1927}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=389}} 
|-
|{{rws|Upper Warlingham}}||{{cvt|15|mi|33|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|10 March 1884}}||Warlingham||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=463}}
|-
|{{rws|Woldingham}}||{{cvt|17|mi|15|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|11 June 1885}}||Marden Park||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=492}}
|-
|{{rws|Oxted}}||{{cvt|20|mi|25|ch}}||3||{{date table sorting|10 March 1884}}|| ||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=354}}
|-
|{{rws|Hurst Green}}||{{cvt|21|mi|20|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 June 1907}}<br>(relocated 12 June 1961)||Hurst Green Halt||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=252}}
|-
|{{rws|Lingfield}}||{{cvt|26|mi|23|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|10 March 1884}}|| ||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=283}}
|-
|{{rws|Dormans}}||{{cvt|27|mi|62|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|10 March 1884}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=165}}
|-
|{{rws|East Grinstead}}||{{cvt|30|mi|04|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 August 1882}}||East Grinstead Low Level ||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=176}}
|}

===Hurst Green Junction–Uckfield===
[[File:Hurst_Green_Junction,_Oxted_Line,_Surrey.jpg|thumb|right|Hurst Green Junction: The unelectrified branch to {{rws|Uckfield}} diverges to the left and the electrified line to {{rws|East Grinstead}} continues ahead.]]
The Hurst Green Junction–Uckfield section is {{cvt|24|mi|53|ch}} in length and has eight stations in total.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=20}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=12}} {{rws|Eridge}} station has three platforms, of which one is used by the Oxted line and the other two by the [[Spa Valley Railway]]. {{rws|Edenbridge Town}}, Hever, {{rws|Ashurst}} and {{rws|Crowborough}} stations have two platforms each; the remaining three stations ({{rws|Cowden}}, {{rws|Buxted}} and Uckfield) have a single platform.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=12}} All stations are managed by Southern<ref>{{unbulleted list citebundle | {{cite web |title= Edenbridge Town (EBT) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/EBT/Edenbridge-Town |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Hever (HEV) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/HEV/Hever |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Ashurst (Kent) (AHS) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/AHS/Ashurst-Kent |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Cowden (Kent) (CWN) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/CWN/Cowden-Kent |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Eridge (ERI) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/ERI/Eridge |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Crowborough (COH) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/COH/Crowborough |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Buxted (BXD) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/BXD/Buxted |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Uckfield (UCK) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/UCK/Uckfield |access-date= 25 September 2024 }} }}</ref> and passenger services are operated using Class 171 diesel multiple units.<ref name=RAIL_2024/>

This part of the Oxted line is unelectrified and signalling is controlled from Oxted Signal Box. North of Hever is double track, but to the south the line has been singled, although trains may pass at Ashurst and Crowborough stations.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=101–104}} The maximum speed is {{cvt|70|mph}} and trains typically reach Hurst Green from Uckfield in around 40 minutes.{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=101–104}} The steepest gradient, 1 in 66, is at Burnt Oak Bridge, to the north of Buxted.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1986|loc=Fig. 52}} There are three tunnels on the Hurst Green Junction–Uckfield section of the line. The double-track Edenbridge Tunnel (sometimes known as Little Browns Tunnel) is {{cvt|319|yd}} long and opens out in the middle to allow the Redhill–Tonbridge line to cross over on a bridge.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 29}}{{efn|An out-of-station interchange is available between [[Edenbridge Town railway station|Edenbridge Town station]] (on the {{rws|Uckfield}} branch of the Oxted line) and [[Edenbridge railway station|Edenbridge station]] (on the [[Redhill–Tonbridge line]]), but there is a distance of {{cvt|1.4|km|mi|0|order=flip}} between the two.<ref>{{cite web |title= Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity |year= 2024 |publisher= Network Rail |url= https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/regional-long-term-planning/Southern%20region%20-%20planning%20documents/Kent-Gatwick%20Rail%20Connectivity%20Strategic%20Advice%202024.pdf |access-date= 14 August 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250426000023/https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/regional-long-term-planning/Southern%20region%20-%20planning%20documents/Kent-Gatwick%20Rail%20Connectivity%20Strategic%20Advice%202024.pdf |archive-date= 26 April 2025 |url-status= live |pages=42–43 }}</ref>}} The other two tunnels are the {{cvt|1341|yd|adj=on}} Mark Beech Tunnel (built for double track but containing only a single track) and the {{cvt|1022|yd|adj=on}} Crowborough Tunnel.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}{{sfn|Bridge|2017|p=12}}
{{clear}}
{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap"|Stations on the Hurst Green Junction–Uckfield section {{nobold|(ordered from north to south)}}
|-
!scope="col"|Station
!scope="col"|Distance from London Victoria<br> via East Croydon{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2009|loc=SO540}}
!scope="col"|Number of<br> platforms
!scope="col"|Opening date 
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Original name
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref.
|- style="background:#F8F8FF"
|{{rws|Edenbridge Town}}||{{cvt|25|mi|47|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|2 January 1888}}||Edenbridge||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=179}}
|-
|{{rws|Hever}}||{{cvt|27|mi|27|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 October 1888}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=240}}
|-
|{{rws|Cowden}}||{{cvt|29|mi|26|ch}}||1||{{date table sorting|1 October 1888}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=146}} 
|-
|{{rws|Ashurst}}||{{cvt|32|mi|08|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 October 1888}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=58}}
|-
|{{rws|Eridge}}||{{cvt|35|mi|53|ch}}||3 (1 for Oxted line)||{{date table sorting|3 August 1868}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=185}}
|-
|{{rws|Crowborough}}||{{cvt|39|mi|11|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|3 August 1868}}||Rotherfield||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=151}}
|-
|{{rws|Buxted}}||{{cvt|43|mi|68|ch}}||1||{{date table sorting|3 August 1868}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=113}}
|-
|{{rws|Uckfield}}||{{cvt|46|mi|08|ch}}||1||{{date table sorting|18 October 1858}}<br>(relocated 13 May 1991)|| ||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=452}}
|}