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Southern Heights Light Railway (proposed)

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steamybrian

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I am trying to research information on the proposed Southern Heights Light Railway which was planned to be built in 1930s around the outer suburbs of South East London. Its planned route was Sanderstead to Orpington with stations at Chelsham, Tatsfield, Cudham, Downe and Green Street Green. It was to be worked by 3rd rail EMUs by extending the Woodside to Sanderstead service. The engineering consultant was a certain Col.H.Stephens.
Can anyone confirm if any of the land was purchased by the then Southern Railway or signs being erected along the route stating the its future purpose.?
It is suggested that earthworks at Orpington on the downside south of the station were placed for the construction of the dive under junction..?
Anyone any further information...?
 
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theageofthetra

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Wasn't the Mid Kent supposed to run past Hayes & join it somewhere (possibly Westerham Hill?)
 

steamybrian

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Besides the stations that you name, was there also one proposed for Westerham Hill?

Would there have been any steam locomotion driven freight traffic to be had upon the proposed Line?

I do not know if there was a planned station called Westerham Hill.

I do not know if there was any freight traffic planned to use the line.

It would have been steeply graded as the area is "undulating" .
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Wasn't the Mid Kent supposed to run past Hayes & join it somewhere (possibly Westerham Hill?)

The only route I have Sanderstead to Orpington for this railway.
 

theageofthetra

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I'll try and find my book on the history of Beckenhams railways to see if there is any mention of this. The Hayes branch was never intended to end where it does do there may be some connection.
 

30907

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The Hayes branch was never intended to end where it does

Have you any evidence to back this up? Nothing in Hajducki's book suggests this, and Hayes station isn't conveniently located for onward extension (I recently revisited various ideas from my youth for a model railway based on hypothetical SECR routes...)
In any case, the SHLR was a 20s idea, long after the WW&HR.
 

theageofthetra

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Possibly I am confusing the Hayes extension with the one to Sanderstead- I am sure I read that the line was originally going to go down to Westerham. Mind you given the hilly nature of that area its not surprising that it never happened!
 

30907

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Westerham Hill certainly, but that's at the top of the scarp slope. My imaginary line needed a long tunnel a la Polhill to get to Westerham LCDR (!)
 
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