| Hastings
Station

The
first train arrived at Hastings station in 1851 and with it
began Hastings’ heyday. The station was originally V-shaped
allowing for both railway companies to have seperate platforms
and booking areas. One side for SER trains to pass through
and the other as a terminal for LBSCR services.

The whole station was reconstructed in a neo-Georgian style
in 1931 and only the goods shed remained unchanged. All trains
now ran through the two new island platforms and a huge central
booking hall welcomed travellers.


Warrior
Square Station

The
station building and house still in existance today were constructed
in 1837.Originally named Gensing Station this was owned by
the SER, and competing LBSCR trains where not allowed to stop
here until December 1870, being forced to pass through non-stop.
The two companies maintained seperate booking offices until
1923.


West Marina Station

The
line along the coast from Brighton opened on 27th June 1846.
The first station at the time was called Hastings and St Leonards.
A few years later the tunnels were blasted through to Hastings
and the station's name was shortened to St Leonards and changed
again to West Marina in 1870. Over time a coal yard with sidings,
freight sheds, engine sheds and a turntable where incorporated
and West St Leonards had a busy, thriving station. In the
thirties the line was electrified and as steam power gradually
declined the use of the engine sheds, turntable, coaling and
watering points lessened, until in 1967 the station itself
closed to traffic. Remnants of West Marina Station can still
be found behind the car park of MFI. Where the engine sheds
stood is now a train washing facility which was built in 1958;
MFI and a row of houses now stand were the coal yard and freight
sheds once stood. The remains of both platforms can also still
be seen.
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Bo-Peep
Junction & Depot

The
LBSCR track ended at the Bo-Peep Junction where it met with
the existing SER track. As it was the most easterly part of
the system, the locomotive depot for LBSCR was built here,
just past West Marina Station in a deep cutting into the cliffs.
The depot reached it's peak between 1929 when Hastings railway
shed closed and 1935 when electrification took place. There
where engine sheds, a 50ft hand operated turntable, a coaling
area and a steam powered crane. In 1958 a carriage washing
machine was added for use by the new diesel and electric trains.


Bo-Peep
Tunnel

Built in 1851 by the SER, the Bo-Peep Tunnel suffered many
problems with geology and underwater springs. From 1885 until
1906 single track had to be used due to reduced clearance
in the tunnel. It was reconstructed in 1906 and again in 1950.


Hastings
Tunnel

Also built by the SER in 1851, the Hastings Tunnel is 788
yards in length.


Crowhurst Viaduct

Also known as the Seventeen Arches, Crowhurst Viaduct was
built by the SECR between 1897 and 1902 at a cost of £244,000.
It carried the Crowhurst to Bexhill West line over the marsh
at Crowhurst (North West of St Leonards).

The viaduct was an impressive structure due to its massive
foundations on the marsh land. Each pier was built on concrete
blocks measuring 52 x 32 feet which were sunk about 30 feet
into the marsh land.

The line was closed in 1964 and the viaduct was left isolated
without a track. Eight of the seventeen arches were blown
up on 23rd May 1969, and the remaining structure was demolished
on 12th June of the same year.
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