The Cuckoo Line Gala – Friday 13th, Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th June 2025
Step back in time to the 1960s when steam still ruled supreme and join us as we commemorate 60 years since the closure of the famous Cuckoo Line, which once ran between Tunbridge Wells West via Eridge and Hailsham to Polegate. We join the countrywide celebrations of 200 years of rail in the United Kingdom.
History of the Cuckoo Line
The Cuckoo Line is the name for the now-closed railway line that joined Polegate to Eridge from 1880 to 1968. Drivers nicknamed it the Cuckoo Line from a tradition observed at the annual fair at Heathfield, a station on the route. At the fair, which was held each April, a lady would release a cuckoo from a basket, it being supposedly the 'first cuckoo of spring'.
The Cuckoo Line was built by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR) in two sections, starting with the branch from Polegate to Hailsham, which opened to traffic on 14 May 1849. It diverged from the Eastbourne to London line at Polegate and ran northwards to the market town of Hailsham, which was the terminus for 31 years until the line through to Eridge was completed and opened in September 1880.
The line then passed through the villages of Hellingly (where the electric Hellingly Hospital Railway once operated), Horam, Heathfield, Mayfield, Rotherfield & Mark Cross, then joined the Oxted Line at Redgate Mill Junction before arriving at Eridge. The route continued what is now the Spa Valley Railway, leaving the Oxted Line at Birchden Junction, heading for Groombridge, High Rocks Halt and eventually Tunbridge Wells West.
Following the famous Beeching Report in 1963, the line was recommended for closure. The section from Eridge to Hailsham was closed to passenger traffic on 14th June 1965, with the section between Heathfield and Hailsham remaining open for freight until 1968. The remaining stub of the branch line from Polegate to Hailsham remained open until 8th September 1968.
The line between Eridge and Tunbridge Wells West remained open until 1985 and, of course, was reopened in 1997 as the Spa Valley Railway. We’re delighted to be hosting this event to commemorate 60 years since the closure of this famous line!
With visiting locomotives, including Southern Railway U Class 31806 courtesy of the Swanage Railway & JMB Locomotive Services, Ivatt Tank 41313 courtesy of the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, BR Standard 4MT 80078 courtesy of Stewart Robinson, Class 33/0 D6566 courtesy of the Diesel Electric Preservation Group and Spa Valley based Bulleid Pacific 34050 'Royal Observer Corps' and Class 207 DEMU 1317 there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Historic photo displays, vintage films, the opening of Heathfield Tunnel, kids activities and much much more await at our biggest gala in years!
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