UCKFIELD'S RAILWAY - TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY

UCKFIELDS'S RAILWAY - TRIUMPH AND TRAGEDY

This new book tells the story of the London Brighton and South Coast's railway from Eridge through Uckfield to Lewes. Its early years, development, Edwardian zenith, and then curtailment.

In 1957 BR announced electrification of the so-called ‘Oxted Lines’ (South Croydon to Lewes via Uckfield and also to Tunbridge Wells West) would start in 1962 with electric trains promised to be operating by 1964. However, these lines were so busy with fast-developing commuter traffic, BR was forced into introducing its ‘Oxted Lines Interim Dieselisation Scheme’ as an urgent stopgap solution. So what happened?

As the book’s title suggests, this is a story of triumph – one of sheer hard work to improve lives and create a stupendous railway network during its first century of operation. It is appropriately juxtaposed with an account of unbelievable tragedy when the promised bright future was so wickedly and determinedly denied at the dawn of the 1960s.

Revealed for the very first time and after years of thorough research, the infamous Dr Beeching was not the principal perpetrator, in spite of this enduring popular misconception. Instead, he was a most convenient instrument, used to help conceal the true villains, who not only deliberately but also ruthlessly conspired in their act of sabotage towards eliminating this great asset bestowed by the truly venerable LB&SCR.

Hardback, 296 pages, numerous photographs

ISBN: 9781912038978