Heathfield (Sussex) railway station

Heathfield railway station was on the Cuckoo Line between Horam and Mayfield, serving the market town of Heathfield.It was built in 1880 by London, Brighton and South Coast Railway on the line extension from Hailsham to Eridge.It was closed for passenger trains in 1965 but freight trains served the goods yard until 1968 when it was abandoned.Gas supplyIn 1896 the LB&SCR drilled for water at the north end of the station. Natural gas was discovered at 312 feet. In 1898 and 1899 Charles Dawson gave several demonstrations with the gas and the railway began to use the gas to light the station. The natural gas was used for this purpose until February 1934 when the station was converted to town gas. The well was sealed in 1963.Present dayAn industrial estate and car park now occupy much of the station site to the south-east. Above them at road level (Station Approach), the booking office still survives as a shop and café.As part of the extension to the Cuckoo Trail, the 265 yard long Heathfield tunnel north of the station was restored and reopened in 2002. There is now a lit footpath running through it and a skateboarding ramp just outside the south portal.