East Grinstead Railway Station - High Level

High Level

Opened on 1 August 1882, the timber accommodation provided for the High Level station was not as comfortable as that in the Lower Level station. It was, however, equipped with a refreshment room on each platform, as well as two signal cabins on either side - East Grinstead West and East Grinstead East. A private siding also led into Stenning's adjoining timber yard. The first train to use the station was a 05:50 service from Three Bridges to Brighton via East Grinstead.

The closure of the Three Bridges-Groombridge Line after the last train on Sunday 1 January 1967 spelt the end for the High Level station which would receive no further traffic. The goods yard had been virtually closed for some time except for coal, and all freight facilities were formally withdrawn as from 10 April. The last train to use the station in February 1968 was a tracklifting train hauled by a Class 33 diesel locomotive. Until its demolition in 1970, the station was used by passengers as a short-cut to the Low Level which saved them the trouble of going around a nearby housing estate. Protests from passengers at the loss of the short-cut led to British Rail erecting a footbridge. The goods yard area was taken over by the A22 which runs parallel with Railway Approach. The East Grinstead Society had attempted to save the brick goods shed for reuse as a drama and arts workshop, but were unable to secure the necessary funds.