Date filmed: 18/04/2022
Videos filmed between 15:55 and 17:11
Route: Redhill to Tonbridge Line
- Between Edenbridge and Penshurst Stations
Crossing type: User-worked Crossing with Miniature Stop Lights (UWC-MSL)
Location: Prettymans Lane, Edenbridge
Trains featured:
Activation 1 (Starts at 0:11):
2 Class 37s (Locomotive Services Limited) - 0:51
Penshurst ➡ Redhill
-
Activation 2 (Starts at 1:41):
Class 377 (Southern) - 2:30
Tonbridge ➡ Reigate
-
Activation 3 (Starts at 3:37):
Class 377 (Southern) - 4:24
Reigate ➡ Tonbridge
-
Activation 4 (Starts at 4:49):
Class 47 (Locomotive Services Limited) - 5:48
Norwich T.C. ➡ Tonbridge West Yard
-
Briefly at Grants Lane (Black Robin) over-bridge:
2 Class 37s (Locomotive Services Limited) - 6:37
Redhill ➡ Tonbridge West Yard
A small user-worked level crossing with red/green miniature warning lights on the Redhill to Tonbridge Line near Edenbridge. The warning system here looks unique because it is a prototype version of Schweizer Electronic's 'Value For Money System' which was trialled here and still remains, with the final versions of the system itself being rolled out increasingly across the nation. The alarm sound has changed to be more typical of what can be expected to be heard from this system since I last filmed there.
The main focus of the video, though, is as follows; A double-headed Class 37 private rail-tour (operated with 37 688 'Great Rocks', and 37 667 (or D 6851) in BR Green), as well as a class 47 empty stock movement for the rail-tour's return to Crewe, are seen at this level crossing. A little later on, at an overbridge between Godstone and Edenbridge on Grants Lane (officially known as Black Robin Overbridge) just across the county border within Surrey, the Class 37s are seen returning towards Tonbridge after turning around at Redhill. The two class 37s are first seen going quite slowly because the line speed changes from 85mph to 40mph just for over the level crossing, but when they're next seen on their return, they're running with quite a bit more power behind them, even giving a little bit of thrash as they pass underneath! On both runs, the lead locomotive can be heard giving the same horn salute; a squeaky high 'two-tone'.
Four activations of the level crossing are featured, with the brief stop at the over-bridge included at the end of the video. At Medhurst Row Level Crossing, the hourly Southern services can be seen passing in between the Class 37s and the Class 47.
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