Some Early Lines

BRIEF HISTORY OF EASTBOURNE – TUNBRIDGE WELLS (CUCKOO) LINE

Eastbourne – Tunbridge Wells train passes Polegate ”A’ signal box in the late 1950’s

The `Cuckoo Line’ from Polegate to Eridge was completed in two stages. Initially a route from Polegate to Hailsham was opened on 14th May 1849 and a line south to Eastbourne opened to traffic on the same day. These lines followed only three years after a route had been completed east from Brighton via Lewes and Polegate to St. Leonards. The original Eastbourne Station was opened in 1849. It was replaced by a new station on the current site in 1866.

The remainder of the route northwards from Hailsham to Eridge was completed some 31 years. In 1873, local business interests promoted a Bill for a 3′ gauge line from Tunbridge Wells to Polegate. Little progress was made in raising the required capital and…