View source for Redhill–Tonbridge line

{{short description|Railway line in South East England}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Use British English|date= August 2024}}
{{Infobox rail line
| box_width                  = 
| name                           = Redhill–Tonbridge line
| color                           = 
| logo                            = 
| logo_width               = 
| logo_alt                     = 
| image                         = 377308 Edenbridge.jpg
| image_width             = 300
| image_alt                  = An electric train at a station platform
| caption                         = A [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377]] unit at {{rws|Edenbridge}} with a [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]] service for {{rws|Tonbridge}}
| type                            = [[Heavy rail]]
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Operational
| locale                          = [[South East England]]
| start                           = [[Redhill, Surrey|Redhill]], [[Surrey]] 
| end                             = [[Tonbridge]], [[Kent]]
| stations                        = 7
| daily_ridership           = 
| open                            = 1842
| close                           = 
| owner                           = [[Network Rail]]
| operator                        = [[Southern (train operating company)|Southern]]
| character                       = 
| depot                           = 
| stock                           = {{brc|377}}
| linelength                      = {{convert|19|mi|56|ch|km}}
| tracklength                     = 
| tracks                          = 2
| gauge                           = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
| routenumber                     = 
| electrification             = 750 [[Volt|V]] [[direct current|DC]] [[third rail]]
| speed                           = {{cvt|85|mph|km/h}} maximum
| elevation                       = 
| website                         = 
| map                             =  {{switcher|[[File:Redhill–Tonbridge line.png|300px]]|Show static map|{{maplink-road|from=Redhill–Tonbridge line.map}}|Show zoomable map|{{Redhill to Tonbridge Line|inline=y}}|Show line diagram}}
}}
The '''Redhill–Tonbridge line''' is a {{convert|19|mile|56|ch|km|adj=on}} railway line in [[South East England]]. It runs from the [[Brighton Main Line]] at {{rws|Redhill}} in [[Surrey]] to the [[South Eastern Main Line]] at {{rws|Tonbridge}} in [[Kent]]. There are five intermediate stations: {{rws|Nutfield}}, {{rws|Godstone}}, {{rws|Edenbridge}}, {{rws|Penshurst}} and {{rws|Leigh}}. All passenger services run as all-stations shuttles between Redhill and Tonbridge, and are operated by [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]] using [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377 electric multiple units]].

The route was opened by the [[South Eastern Railway (England)|South Eastern Railway]] in 1842 as part of the London to [[Dover]] main line. Since it was to be used primarily by express services, the line was engineered with few curves to allow high-speed running. At the time of construction, east Surrey and west Kent were sparsely populated and most of the intermediate stations are some distance from the settlements they purport to serve. In 1868, following the opening of the new main line via {{rws|Orpington}} and {{rws|Sevenoaks}}, which provided a shorter route from the capital, the Redhill–Tonbridge line was downgraded to secondary status. The line became part of the [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] in 1923 and was incorporated into the Southern Region of [[British Railways]] in 1948.

Steam-hauled trains were withdrawn from the Redhill–Tonbridge line in 1965, when [[diesel multiple unit]]s were introduced. The new timetable consisted of an hourly service between {{rws|Reading}} and Tonbridge via Redhill. From 1989, these trains were branded as "North Downs" services. In 1994, the line was electrified using the 750 [[Volt|V]] [[Direct Current|DC]] [[third rail|third-rail]] system, to provide a diversionary route for [[Channel Tunnel]] traffic. A new service between {{rws|Gatwick Airport}} and Kent was introduced, operated by [[electric multiple units]], which replaced the diesel service from Reading. In 1995, trains running to-and-from London via {{rws|East Croydon}} were added.

At [[privatisation of British Rail|privatisation]] in 1996, responsibility for the Redhill–Tonbridge line was transferred to [[Connex South Eastern]]. The company was stripped of its franchise in 2003 and operations were passed to the publicly owned [[South Eastern Trains]]. On 1 April 2006, the line was taken over by [[London & South Eastern Railway]] as part of the [[Integrated Kent Franchise]], but in 2008, Southern assumed responsibility for all operations. Southern withdrew the Gatwick services that year and trains to-and-from London were discontinued in 2018, establishing the current shuttle service between Redhill and Tonbridge.

==Route==
===Infrastructure===
The Redhill–Tonbridge line is a [[standard-gauge railway|standard-gauge]] railway line in [[Surrey]] and [[Kent]], England.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|p=40}}{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}} It runs for {{convert|19|mile|56|ch|km}} from the [[Brighton Main Line]] at {{rws|Redhill}} to the [[South Eastern Main Line]] at {{rws|Tonbridge}}.{{sfn|Bridge|2017|pp= 12, 20}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}} The line is [[railway electrification in Great Britain|electrified]] using the 750 [[Volt|V]] [[direct current|DC]] third-rail system and is double track throughout.{{sfn|Bridge|2017|pp= 12, 20}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}} Between Redhill and {{rws|Godstone}}, the line is controlled by Three Bridges Area Signalling Centre and from Godstone to Tonbridge by Ashford Integrated Electrical Control Centre.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}} With the exception of the Godstone–{{rws|Edenbridge}} section, which uses the [[absolute block signalling|absolute block]] method, the signalling system uses [[track circuit]]s.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}} The maximum permitted speed on the line is {{cvt|85|mph}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}} and there are speed restrictions on the approaches to Redhill and Tonbridge stations.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO500}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO130}}

[[File:A Class 377 unit crosses the River Medway between Leigh and Tonbridge 03.jpg|thumb|right|A [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377]] unit crossing the main channel of the [[River Medway]] between {{rws|Leigh}} and {{rws|Tonbridge}}|alt=An electric train crossing an arched bridge over a river]]
The underlying geology for the majority of the line is [[Weald Clay]], but to the west of {{rws|Penshurst}} the line is on [[Tunbridge Wells Sand Formation|Tunbridge Wells Sand]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Geographical setting}} The line descends from Redhill to Tonbridge and the steepest gradient, to the west of Edenbridge, is 1 in 240.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=29}}{{efn|The elevation of [[Redhill railway station|Redhill station]] is around {{cvt|50|m|ft}} higher than that of [[Tonbridge railway station|Tonbridge station]].{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Geographical setting}}}} The [[M23 motorway]] and [[A21 road (England)|A21]] dual carriageway cross over the line on the Coopers Hill and Medway Viaducts respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title= M23 bridge maintenance finishes near Gatwick |date= 13 November 2014 |publisher= Highways Agency |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/m23-bridge-maintenance-finishes-near-gatwick |access-date= 24 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= What goes on, where when and why |date= 11 July 1969 |work= Kent & Sussex Courier |issue= 6968 |page= 18 }}</ref> There are two tunnels, the longest of which is the {{cvt|1327|yd|m|adj=on}} Bletchingley Tunnel between {{rws|Nutfield}} and Godstone.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}} Between Penshurst and {{rws|Leigh}}, the route runs through the {{cvt|78|yd|m|adj=on}} Penshurst Tunnel  and crosses the [[drainage divide|watershed]] between the Rivers [[River Eden, Kent|Eden]] and [[River Medway|Medway]].{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}}{{sfn|Course|1973|p=32}} The main channel of the Medway is bridged via a six-arch viaduct, the footings of which were strengthened in the early 1980s as part of the Medway Flood Relief Scheme.{{sfn|Penn|1981|pp=66-68}} The line passes through several areas that are prone to flooding, including the river valley between Leigh and Tonbridge.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}

[[File:Edenbridge Tunnel.jpg|thumb|right|Looking eastwards along the Redhill–Tonbridge line where it crosses Edenbridge Tunnel on the {{rws|Uckfield}} branch of the [[Oxted line]]|alt= A pair of railway tracks leading away from the viewer, crossing another railway line in the centre of the image]]
Since it was built as part of the London–[[Dover]] main line, the route was engineered for high-speed running.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=29}}{{sfn|Staines|2010|p=19}} The sharpest curve, of radius {{cvt|9|ch|m}}, is immediately to the southeast of Redhill, where the line diverges from the Brighton Main Line.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 15}} The only other significant curve is to the west of Edenbridge station and has a radius of {{cvt|92|ch|m}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 31}} The Redhill–Tonbridge line crosses over the {{rws|East Grinstead}} and {{rws|Uckfield}} branches of the [[Oxted line]], but there are no direct interchanges between them.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}{{efn|An out-of-station interchange is available between [[Edenbridge railway station|Edenbridge station]] (on the Redhill–Tonbridge line) and [[Edenbridge Town railway station|Edenbridge Town station]] (on the {{rws|Uckfield}} branch of the [[Oxted line]]), but there is a distance of {{cvt|1.4|km|mi|0|order=flip}} between the two.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}}} The bridge over the Uckfield branch is positioned near the mid-point of Edenbridge Tunnel (also known as Little Browns Tunnel), which opens out briefly at the crossing point.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 29}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO540}} The Redhill–Tonbridge line also passes over [[Redhill Tunnel]], part of the Quarry line that enables express services on the Brighton Main Line to bypass the junctions at Redhill station.{{sfn|Turner|1979|pp=118, 133}}{{sfn|Baker|1989|p=122}}{{efn|The Quarry line, including [[Redhill Tunnel]], opened to freight services on 5 November 1899 and to passenger trains on 1 April the following year.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|pp=100-101}}}}

The pedestrian [[level crossing]] at Medhurst Row, between Edenbridge and Penshurst,{{sfn|Bridge|2017|pp= 12, 20}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}} also provides private vehicle access for local landowners and permission to cross must be sought from the [[rail signaller|signaller]] by telephone.<ref>{{cite Hansard |house=House of Commons |title= Medhurst Row crossing |url= https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2004-07-08/debates/4dacab72-9c65-41d9-807f-e3a78d31f0ea/MedhurstRowCrossing |date=8 July 2004 |column_start=1101 |column_end=1108}}</ref> There is a speed restriction of {{cvt|40|mph}} on both tracks on the approaches to the Medhurst Row crossing.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}} To the west of Tonbridge station are the Jubilee Sidings, used to stable electric multiple units,{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO130}}{{sfn|Thomas|2022|p=46}} and the adjacent Tonbridge West Yard, operated by [[GB Railfreight]].{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO130}}<ref name=TWY>{{cite web |title= National headquarters competition for Great British Railways {{!}} Expression of interest from Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council |date= March 2022 |publisher= West Kent Partnership |at= 5: Railway heritage and links to the network |url= https://gbrtt.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Tonbridge.pdf |access-date= 14 August 2024 }}</ref> Other freight operators using the line include [[DB Cargo UK|DB Cargo]], [[Freightliner Group|Freightliner]] and [[Colas Rail]].{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|p=41}}

===Stations and services===
There are seven stations on the line: Redhill, Nutfield, Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst, Leigh and Tonbridge. All stations are managed by [[Southern (Govia Thameslink Railway)|Southern]], with the exception of Tonbridge, which is managed by [[Southeastern (train operating company)|Southeastern]].<ref>{{unbulleted list citebundle | {{cite web |title= Redhill (RDH) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/RDH/Redhill |access-date= 9 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Nutfield (NUF) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/NUF/nutfield |access-date= 9 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Godstone (GDN) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/GDN/Godstone |access-date= 9 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Edenbridge (Kent) (EBR) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/EBR/Edenbridge |access-date= 9 September 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Penshurst (PHR) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/PHR/Penshurst |access-date= 4 October 2024 }} | {{cite web |title= Leigh (Kent) (LIH) |publisher= Southern |url= https://www.southernrailway.com/travel-information/plan-your-journey/station-information/LIH/Leigh-Kent |access-date= 9 September 2024 }} }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= Tonbridge |publisher= Southeastern |url= https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/stationdetaildownload/html?crs=TON&PageId=69f53eb1-e35a-4dca-96bd-f453ba7acad1 |access-date= 9 September 2024 }}</ref> The intermediate stations have two platforms each{{sfn|Bridge|2017|pp= 12, 20}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}}{{efn|Platform 1 at {{rws|Godstone}} is the shortest on the line, with a length of {{cvt|89.9|m}}, and can only accommodate a four-carriage train.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|p=116}}}} and the two termini have four platforms.{{sfn|Bridge|2017|pp= 12, 20}}{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO130}}{{efn|Only Platforms 1 and 2 at {{rws|Tonbridge}} are connected to the Redhill–Tonbridge line.{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO130}}}} Since the line was built for express services, serving the then sparsely populated areas of east Surrey and west Kent was a secondary concern and the majority of the intermediate stations are some distance from the settlements for which they are named: Godstone station is around {{cvt|3|mi}} south of [[Godstone|Godstone village]]{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=23}}{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=47}} and Penshurst station is in the hamlet of [[Chiddingstone Causeway]], around {{cvt|2|mi}} north of [[Penshurst]] itself.{{sfn|Morrison|Beer|1994|p=65}}

All passenger services on the Redhill–Tonbridge line are operated using [[British Rail Class 377|Class 377]] [[electric multiple unit]]s.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}} Since 2022, the timetable has consisted of an hourly, all-stations service between Redhill and Tonbridge, supplemented with additional services at peak times.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}<ref name=timetable>{{cite web |title= O: Three Bridges, Gatwick Airport, Tonbridge, Reigate and Redhill to Croydon and London |date= 3 June 2024 |publisher= Govia |url= https://timetables.southernrailway.com/SN/#/timetables/2785/Table%20O |access-date= 14 August 2024 }}</ref> The typical journey time between Redhill and Tonbridge is around 30–35 minutes.<ref name=timetable/> Since December 2023, two units have been required to operate the weekday timetable.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=4, 39}}<ref name=Haigh_2024>{{cite magazine |last= Haigh |first= Philip |date= 17 April 2024 |title= NR explores resurrection of direct Kent–Gatwick trains  |magazine= RAIL |issue=  1007 |pages= 52–53 }}</ref> Although Southern provides the rolling stock, the [[train driver|drivers]] and [[conductor (rail)|guards]] working services on the line are employed by Southeastern.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}

{|class="wikitable sortable collapsible"
|+ class="nowrap"|Stations on the Redhill–Tonbridge line {{nobold|(ordered from west to east)}}
|-
!scope="col"|Station
!scope="col"|Distance from Charing Cross<br> via Norwood Junction{{sfn|"Sectional Appendix"|2024|loc=SO550}}
!scope="col"|Number of<br> platforms
!scope="col"|Opening date 
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Original name
!scope="col" class="unsortable"|Ref.
|- style="background:#F8F8FF"
|{{rws|Redhill}}||{{cvt|22|mi|40|ch}}||4||{{date table sorting|26 May 1842}}<br>(relocated 15 April 1844)||Reigate||{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|pp=44–45}}
|-
|{{rws|Nutfield}}||{{cvt|24|mi|47|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 January 1884}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=347}}
|-
|{{rws|Godstone}}||{{cvt|28|mi|13|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|26 May 1842}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=213}} 
|-
|{{rws|Edenbridge}}||{{cvt|33|mi|03|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|26 May 1842}}||Eden Bridge||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=179}}
|-
|{{rws|Penshurst}}||{{cvt|38|mi|03|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|26 May 1842}}||||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=362}}
|-
|{{rws|Leigh}}||{{cvt|39|mi|56|ch}}||2||{{date table sorting|1 September 1911}}||Leigh Halt||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=280}}
|-
|{{rws|Tonbridge}}||{{cvt|42|mi|16|ch}}||4 (2 for Redhill trains)||{{date table sorting|26 May 1842}}||Tunbridge||{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=452}}
|}

==History==
===Proposals and authorisation===
{{further|South Eastern Railway (England)|label 1= South Eastern Railway|South Eastern Main Line}}
The earliest formal proposal for a railway line linking London and Dover via Tonbridge was advanced in October 1835. The route, surveyed by the former [[Royal Engineers|Royal Engineer]], Captain John Pringle, and the architect, [[Decimus Burton]], was to run from the [[London and Croydon Railway]] (L&CR) terminus at {{rws|West Croydon}} via [[Oxted]], Godstone and Tonbridge. Although the parliamentary committee scrutinising the plans was sceptical of the cost estimates for the embankments and tunnels required,{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=8-9}} the South Eastern Railway Act was passed on 21 June 1836. It authorised the company to acquire capital of £1.4 million (equivalent to £{{inflation|UK|1.4|1836|cursign=£}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|UK}}) and awarded borrowing powers of up to £450,000 (£{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|450,000|1836}}}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}).{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=10}}{{efn|By May 1836, £982,000 (equivalent to £{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|982,000|1836}}}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}) had been raised towards the estimated construction cost of £1.3 million (£{{inflation|UK|1.3|1836|cursign=£}}&nbsp;million in {{Inflation/year|UK}}). Most of the money had been pledged by financiers from [[Liverpool]] and [[Manchester]], but 112 local subscribers from Kent contributed £215,000 (£{{Format price|{{Inflation|UK-GDP|215,000|1836}}}} in {{Inflation/year|UK}}).{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=8-9}}}}

The first board meeting of the [[South Eastern Railway (England)|South Eastern Railway]] (SER) took place on 2 July 1836,{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=11}} chaired by [[Pascoe St Leger Grenfell]].{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=8-9}} The board had intended to appoint [[Henry Robinson Palmer|Henry Palmer]] as company engineer, but he declined owing to ill health and [[William Cubitt]] was appointed instead.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=11}}{{efn|[[William Cubitt]] had been the engineer responsible for the construction of the [[London and Croydon Railway]].{{sfn|Turner|1977|pp=47-48}}{{sfn|Baker|1989|pp=25-26}}}} Cubitt recommended that the junction between the L&CR and the SER should be further north than that proposed by Pringle and Burton.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=11}}{{efn|[[William Cubitt]]'s proposal for the SER to branch from the L&CR in the {{rws|Norwood Junction}} area allowed the line to have a more favourable gradient profile than would have been achieved with a junction at {{rws|West Croydon}}.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=21}}}} The board agreed Cubitt's suggested alterations and construction work began at [[Riddlesdown]] on 11 March 1837. The act of Parliament authorising the changes to the route was given [[royal assent]] on 3 July 1837.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=12-13}}

[[File:S england railways 1840 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Map from 1840 showing the SER line to  [[Dover Town railway station|Dover]] branching from the [[Brighton Main Line|London–Brighton]] line at {{rws|Redhill}} (east of [[Reigate]]){{sfn|Whishaw|1840|loc= Plate XVII }}|alt= A black-and-white map of southern England showing the first railway lines from London to Brighton and Dover]]
Less than two weeks later, on 15 July 1837, the act of Parliament authorising the [[London and Brighton Railway]] (L&BR) was passed. This line would also branch from the L&CR in the Croydon area and would run via Redhill and [[Haywards Heath]] to the south coast. Since the SER and L&BR would run alongside each other between [[Norwood Junction railway station|Norwood]] and {{rws|Purley}}, the act gave the two companies permission to share a single pair of tracks to avoid duplication. Furthermore, the SER was given the ability to branch from the L&BR at any point north of [[Earlswood]], Surrey. The possibility of sharing part of the L&BR line appealed to the SER, which was experiencing financial difficulties. William Cubitt was instructed to cooperate with [[Joseph Gibbs (engineer)|Joseph Gibbs]], the L&BR engineer, and to explore potential route changes that might result in cost savings.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=12-13}}{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=20}} Agreement was reached in November 1838 for the SER to branch from the L&BR at Redhill and the revised plan was approved by act of Parliament on 19 July 1839.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=14-15}}{{efn|The revised route for the SER via the L&BR between Croydon and Redhill was around {{cvt|10|mi|km}} longer than the alignment via Oxted.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988b|p=18}} Burton and Pringle's original route was used by the SER east of [[Bough Beech]] (roughly half-way between Edenbridge and Penshurst).{{sfn|Course|1973|p=32}}{{sfn|Course|1973|p=30}}}}

===Construction and opening===
[[File:Illustrirte Zeitung (1843) 22 349 1 Erste Fahrt durch den Bletchingley-Tunnel auf der Südost-Eisenbahn.png|thumb|right|upright|Artist's impression of the first train to run through Bletchingley Tunnel, published in 1843<ref>{{cite news |last= Weber |first= J.J. |date= 25 November 1843 |title= Erste Fahrt durch den Bletchingley-Tunnel auf der Südost-Eisenbahn |work= Illustrirte Zeitung |issue= 22 |page= 329 |language= de |url= https://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=izl&datum=18431125&zoom=33 |access-date= 25 August 2024 }}</ref>|alt= A black-and-white drawing of a steam train emerging from a tunnel]]
Construction of the Redhill–Tonbridge section of the SER began at Tonbridge under the supervision of [[Peter W. Barlow|Peter Barlow]].{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=14-15}}{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=4}}{{efn|The previous works, started in March 1837 on the original planned alignment at [[Riddlesdown]],{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=12-13}} had been closed down in 1838.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=21}}}} Materials were delivered via the River Medway Navigation{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=14-15}} and rails had been laid as far as Edenbridge by 20 November 1841.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=4}} The works at Bletchingley Tunnel were supervised by [[Frederick Walter Simms]], who wrote a detailed account of the construction in his book, ''Practical Tunnelling'', published in 1844.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=24}}{{efn|Bletchingley Tunnel (then also spelled "Blechingley") was dug through the sandstone-containing [[Weald Clay]] of Tilburstow Hill. The [[1841 United Kingdom census|1841 census]] indicates that around 50,000 [[navvy|navvies]] worked on this part of the line, most of whom were accommodated at a temporary camp at the west end of the tunnel site.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=24}}<ref>{{cite journal |last= Parton |first= A.D. |year= 1980 |title= The Blechingley Tunnel and the men who built it, 1840-1842 |journal= Surrey Archaeological Collections |volume= 72 |pages= 221–229 |doi= 10.5284/1069044 |url= https://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-379-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_72/surreyac072_221-229_parton.pdf |access-date= 9 September 2024 }}</ref>}}

The Redhill–Tonbridge line was the first section of the SER to open on 26 May 1842.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=16-17}} Five stations opened with the line: Redhill (then called "Reigate"), Godstone, Edenbridge, Penshurst and Tonbridge (then spelled "Tunbridge").{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=16-17}} The initial service was four trains per day in each direction, increased to six once the line had been extended to {{rws|Headcorn}} on 31 August.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=4}}{{sfn|Course|1973|p=26}} The section to {{rws|Ashford|Kent}} opened on 1 December 1842.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=26}} Initially the revenue generated was disappointing, but the SER anticipated that passenger numbers would rise once the railway began serving the channel ports.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=16-17}} The service was increased to seven trains per day in each direction following the opening of [[Folkestone Central railway station|Folkestone Central station]] on 28 June 1843.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=19-20}} The SER was completed to [[Dover Town railway station|Dover]] on 7 February 1844.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=21}}

[[File:Redhill_jct_station.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|{{rws|Redhill}} station {{circa|1853}}: The station was opened in 1842 and was moved to its current location in 1844.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|pp=44-45}}|alt= A black-and-white drawing of station platforms and canopies]]
The first major alteration to be made to the line was the relocation of Redhill station in 1844. Originally called "Reigate" and sited on Hooley Lane, it was resited to allow better interchange with LB&SCR services to-and-from {{rws|Brighton}}.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|pp=44-45}} SER trains began using the new station in April 1844.{{sfn|Turner|1977|p=184}} Redhill shed was opened by the SER in 1855. It not only provided locomotives for the line via Tonbridge to Dover, but also for the [[North Downs Line|Reading, Guildford and Reigate Railway]], which had opened in 1849{{sfn|Welch|2011|pp=30-31}}{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=39}} and had been purchased by the SER in 1852.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=46}}

===Late 19th century===
Within a few years of the opening of their main line from London to Dover, the SER began to consider building a more direct line between the capital and Tonbridge to reduce journey times and to avoid conflict with the LB&SCR north of Redhill. The first proposal, surveyed by the engineer [[Morton Peto|Samuel Morton Peto]], was presented to Parliament in January 1845, but did not gain approval.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=158-159}} In 1859, the [[Darent Valley line|line linking Swanley to Sevenoaks]], proposed by the Sevenoaks Railway company, was authorised.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=159-161}} The SER, fearing further encroachment into its territory from rivals, decided to revive its proposal for a "cut off" line. The "Direct Tonbridge" route, as the new main line was initially known, was authorised on 30 August 1862{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=159-161}} and opened in stages in the first half of 1868. On 1 June of that year, most express services were routed along the new line{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=162}} and the Redhill–Tonbridge line was reduced to secondary status.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=33}}<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Heaton |first= John |date= January 2024 |title= 'The Surrey' |magazine= The Railway Magazine |volume= 170 |issue= 1474 |pages= 30–35}}</ref>{{efn|After the opening of the new main line via {{rws|Sevenoaks}} in 1868, at least one express service continued to be routed via Redhill every day until the First World War.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=33}}}}

Nutfield station was opened on 1 January 1884{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=347}} and was built to serve the new area of residential development that became the village of South Nutfield.{{sfn|Gray|1990|pp=143-144}}{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=139}} The scheme was initiated by [[Henry Edwards (1820–1897)|Sir Henry Edwards]], the former [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Weymouth and Melcombe Regis (UK Parliament constituency)|Weymouth and Melcombe Regis]], who had acquired land on both sides of the railway in the 1860s.{{sfn|Deacon|2000|pp=250-251}} By the early 1880s, he was selling [[land lot|plots]] for housebuilding and had laid out roads, water mains and sewers.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=139}} Early landowners of South Nutfield included [[Myles Fenton]], the general manager of the SER, who lived at Ridge Haw from 1886,{{sfn|Deacon|2000|p=32}} and [[Edward Watkin]], the then chairman of the railway, who purchased two plots about 1 mile south of the new station.{{sfn|Deacon|2000|p=252}} In the mid-1880s, Edwards was given a "free pass", allowing him to travel on the SER with no payment due.{{sfn|Deacon|2000|p=255}}

[[File:Crowhurst, Edenbridge & Hurst Green Boscare(Bodmin) Waterloo RJD 126.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.4|A 1910 [[Railway Clearing House]] map showing (left) the Redhill–Tonbridge line and the Crowhurst spur to the {{rws|East Grinstead}} branch of the [[Oxted line]].|alt= Three maps of railway lines in southern England]]
In 1884, the East Grinstead branch of the Oxted line was opened and with it the Crowhurst spur, linking it to the Redhill–Tonbridge line.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=220}} The new line was authorised by Parliament in June 1878{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=84}} and was jointly owned by the SER and LB&SCR between {{rws|South Croydon}} and Crowhurst Junction, where the Crowhurst Spur diverged.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=85}}{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=219}}{{efn|Between Crowhurst Junction and {{rws|East Grinstead}}, the [[Oxted line]] was owned solely by the [[London, Brighton and South Coast Railway|LB&SCR]].{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=85}}{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=219}}}} The spur opened to freight on 10 March 1884 and to passenger services on 1 August that year.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=220}} Initially there were three trains per day between London and Edenbridge via Oxted, of which one continued to Tonbridge.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=45}}{{efn|A water tank was installed at {{rws|Edenbridge}} in the mid-1880s for the use of trains terminating there from {{rws|Oxted}}.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=45}}}}

===Early 20th century===
The final intermediate station to be built between Redhill and Tonbridge was Leigh, which opened as "Leigh Halt" on 1 September 1911.{{sfn|Quick|2023|p=280}} The station was immediately adjacent to Leigh signal box, which had been commissioned in 1902 to reduce the length of the block sections between Penshurst and Tonbridge.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 48}} Initially the station was constructed entirely in wood, but the platforms were rebuilt in concrete in 1961{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=12}} and gas lighting was provided around the same time.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 49}} Work at Godstone station in 1914 and 1915 included the replacement of the original station building with a new two-storey structure, the provision of a footbridge and the lengthening of the platforms.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=24}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 23}} During the First World War, the line was heavily used by trains transporting troops to and from the channel ports.{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|pp=44-45}}

As a result of the [[Railways Act 1921]], the Redhill–Tonbridge line became part of the [[Southern Railway (UK)|Southern Railway]] in 1923.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|pp=24-25}} The following year, the wooden station building at Penshurst was destroyed by fire. It was replaced in 1925 by a new building in the [[Tudor Revival architecture|mock-Tudor]] style.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 42}} In the mid-1930s, the track layout at Tonbridge was altered to increase the speed limit for trains arriving and departing via {{rws|Sevenoaks}}.{{sfn|Course|1973|p=34}} At the same time, Platform 1, on the south side of the station was converted from a [[bay platform|bay]] to a through platform, and thereafter was used by most trains travelling via Redhill.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 62}}

The line played a major role in the [[Dunkirk evacuation|evacuation of troops from Dunkirk]] and 565 trains were routed via Tonbridge and Redhill between 27 May and 4 June 1940.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=25}}{{sfn|Oppitz|1988a|p=46}} In 1941, Tonbridge West Yard was opened to facilitate freight movements for the war effort<ref name=TWY/> and in the same year, two-aspect colour light signalling was installed in the Penshurst area to increase the capacity of the line.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=25}} For much of the Second World War, there was a [[Home Guard (United Kingdom)|Home Guard]] post at the east end of Bletchingley Tunnel.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=12}}

===Nationalisation (1948-1996)===
Under the [[Transport Act 1947]], the Redhill–Tonbridge line became part of the [[Southern Region of British Railways]] in 1948.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=26}} The first [[Beeching cuts|Beeching report]], published in 1963, recommended shutting all five intermediate stations between Nutfield and Leigh inclusive,{{sfn|Beeching|1963a|pp=113-118}} although a non-stop passenger service between Redhill and Tonbridge was to be retained.{{sfn|Beeching|1963b|loc=Map 9}}{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=95}} Instead of the proposed partial closure, steam-hauled passenger trains were replaced on 4 January 1965 by [[British Rail Class 206|Class 206 units]]. Nicknamed "Tadpoles" and officially designated 3R, these [[diesel multiple units]] began operating an hourly stopping service between {{rws|Reading}} and Tonbridge, calling at all stations except {{rws|Winnersh}} and {{rws|Earley}}, and requiring a reversal at Redhill.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=12}}<ref name=Grayer_2011>{{cite magazine |last= Grayer |first= Jeffery |date= July 2011 |title= Spawning the tadpoles |magazine= Southern Way  |issue= 15 |pages= 61–64 |publisher= Noodle Books |location= Corhampton |isbn= 978-1-90-641954-7 }}</ref> At the same time, the final through trains between London and Tonbridge via Redhill were withdrawn.<ref name=Grayer_2011/> The second Beeching report, published in February 1965, recommended that the Redhill–Tonbridge line should be developed as a trunk route for freight services.{{sfn|Beeching|1965|pp=74-80}}

With the transition to diesel traction, Redhill shed, which had maintained steam locomotives for use on the line, closed on 14 June 1965.{{sfn|Welch|2011|pp=30-31}} The Crowhurst spur closed on 27 May 1965 and the associated Crowhurst Junction signal box closed that October.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc= Fig. 27}} The station yard at Edenbridge was the first on the line to be shut on 10 September 1962{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc= Fig. 33}} and was followed by the closure of goods facilities at Penshurst on 9 September 1963,{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc= Fig. 45}} Godstone on 4 May 1964{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc= Fig. 26}} and finally Nutfield on 3 January 1966.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 20}} Staff were withdrawn from the intermediate stations on 5 November 1967{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 26}} and the station buildings were demolished in the same decade.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 42}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 20}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 25}}

[[File:Leigh station, 1997 - geograph.org.uk - 5494080.jpg|thumb|right|[[Leigh railway station|Leigh station]] in [[Network SouthEast]] colour scheme in 1997|alt= A railway station with two platforms]]
From 1982, the Redhill–Tonbridge line came under the control of [[Network SouthEast]], one of the five business sectors of [[British Rail]].{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|p=7}}{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|p=12}}{{efn| Originally known as the London and South East sector, the name [[Network SouthEast]] was used from 10 June 1986.{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|p=8}}}} For three years from May 1986, {{rws|Reigate}} became the western terminus for most trains running to Tonbridge via Redhill, with services only extended to Reading at peak times.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Passenger services}} In 1989, groups of lines in the sector were given names and identities; the Reading–Tonbridge service (along with the Reading–Gatwick Airport service) was branded the "North Downs Line" and the crest of the former Tonbridge Urban District Council was applied to the trains.{{sfn|Brown|Jackson|1990|p=12}}{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|p=116}}

Resignalling of the line began with the section between Redhill and Godstone (exclusive), with control transferred to Three Bridges Area Signalling Centre on 12 May 1985.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=230}} Penshurst and Edenbridge boxes closed in March and May 1986, with control transferred to Ashford Integrated Electronic Control Centre.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 41}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 35}} The signal box at Godstone closed on 31 May 1986 and the station is now the interface between the two signalling areas.{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}}{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=230}}

Construction of the [[Channel Tunnel]] was authorised by the [[Treaty of Canterbury (1986)|Treaty of Canterbury]] in February 1986 and the subsequent Concession Agreement was concluded the following month.<ref>{{cite web |title= Annual Review |year= 2005 |publisher= Eurotunnel |page= 9 |url= http://ww1.eurotunnel.com/NR/rdonlyres/D8313D6F-2EAB-4FA7-85DB-8A822E0E3A3E/0/UK_2_partie_RA2005.pdf |access-date= 10 December 2007 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080530173047/http://ww1.eurotunnel.com/NR/rdonlyres/D8313D6F-2EAB-4FA7-85DB-8A822E0E3A3E/0/UK_2_partie_RA2005.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2008 }}</ref> As part of the works to connect the tunnel to the existing UK rail network, the Redhill–Tonbridge line was electrified using the 750 V DC third-rail system. The scheme was intended to provide a route for freight trains to access the [[West London Line]] via {{rws|Clapham Junction}}, whilst avoiding the [[loading gauge|gauge]]-restricted Sevenoaks Tunnel.{{sfn|Glover|2001|p=126}}{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|p=89}} The third rail was energised in March 1994{{sfn|Glover|2001|p=154}}<ref>{{cite news |title= Switched on |date= 31 March 1994 |work= Surrey Mirror |issue= 6130 |page= 15 }}</ref> and the new electric timetable began on 29 May that year.<ref name=SM_6121>{{cite news |title= Rail changes |date= 27 January 1994 |work= Surrey Mirror |issue= 6121 |page= 2 }}</ref> An hourly service was established between {{rws|Three Bridges}} and {{rws|Maidstone West}}, replacing the previous diesel trains between Reading and Tonbridge.{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|p=89}}<ref name=SM_6121/> In May 1995, a regular service between [[London Victoria station|London Victoria]] and {{rws|Tunbridge Wells}}, running via the Redhill–Tonbridge line, was added.<ref>{{cite news |title= Tunbridge Wells and District Rail Travellers' Association |date= 24 February 1995 |work= Tunbridge Wells Courier  |page= 19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title= New South Eastern services |date= 15 March 1995 |magazine= RAIL |issue= 248 |page= 5 }}</ref> No new trains were purchased for the electric services, which were operated by [[rolling stock]] from the existing Network SouthEast fleet.{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|pp=185, 194}}

===Privatisation (1996–present)===
The first [[privatisation of British Rail|privatised]] franchise holder for the Redhill–Tonbridge line, [[Connex South Eastern]], began running services on 13 October 1996.<ref>{{cite news |last= Harper |first= Keith |date= 19 October 1996 |title= The Norman conquest arriving at Platform 3 |work= The Guardian |page= 22 }}</ref> In 1998, the company switched the London terminus of the services to Tunbridge Wells from Victoria to London Bridge. In 2003, Connex also modified the hourly Three Bridges–Maidstone West service, to run between Horsham and Tunbridge Wells.<ref name=Haigh_2024/> That June, the company was stripped of its franchise<ref>{{cite news |title=Train firm loses franchise| date= 27 June 2003 |work=BBC News |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3024804.stm |access-date=3 May 2008 }}</ref> and services were transferred to the publicly owned [[South Eastern Trains]] on 9 November 2003.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rail authority takes on franchise |date=8 November 2003 |work=[[BBC News]] |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/3253017.stm |access-date= 19 September 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160919114532/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/3253017.stm |archive-date=19 September 2016}}</ref>

The [[Integrated Kent Franchise]] was awarded to Southeastern, a subsidiary of [[Govia]], for an eight-year period from 1 April 2006.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Govia wins Integrated Kent franchise |magazine = [[Rail Magazine]] |issue = 528 |date = 7 December 2005 |page = 16}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title = GoVia wins Integrated Kent Franchise |magazine = [[Today's Railways UK]] |issue = 49 |date = January 2006 |page = 7}}</ref> However, in 2008, the services on the Redhill–Tonbridge line and management of the intermediate stations were transferred to Southern. The eastern terminus of the London Bridge–Tunbridge Wells services was cut back to Tonbridge<ref>{{cite news |title= All change for trains service |date= 8 December 2008 |work= Kent Online |url= https://www.kentonline.co.uk/news/kent-motors-news/all-change-for-trains-service-a47455/ |access-date= 30 July 2024 }}</ref> and the Horsham–Tunbridge Wells services were withdrawn.<ref name=Haigh_2024/> In December 2015, the London terminus of the off-peak services was switched back to Victoria, although trains continued to serve London Bridge at peak times and on Sundays.<ref>{{cite web |title= Summary of key changes from 13 December 2015 |date= November 2015 |publisher= Southern |pages= 6, 11 |url= http://www.southernrailway.com/download/35135.1/timetable-changes-dec-2015-sn/ |access-date= 21 November 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160308173716/http://www.southernrailway.com/download/35135.1/timetable-changes-dec-2015-sn/ |archive-date= 8 March 2016 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= New winter timetable {{!}} Changes to train times from Sunday 13 December 2015 |publisher= Southern |url= http://www.southernrailway.com/download/35271.6/timetable-changes-dec-2015-summary/ |access-date= 28 April 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160428105311/http://www.southernrailway.com/download/35271.6/timetable-changes-dec-2015-summary/ |archive-date= 28 April 2016  |url-status= dead }}</ref> In May 2018, the London–Redhill portions of all services were withdrawn, leaving the line with the current shuttle between Redhill and Tonbridge.<ref>{{cite news |title= Leigh and Penshurst to lose direct train link to London |date= 9 May 2018 |work= Times of Tunbridge Wells |url= https://www.timeslocalnews.co.uk/businesss/leigh-and-penshurst-to-lose-direct-train-link-to-london/ |access-date= 24 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last= Seymour |first= Jenny |date= 22 May 2018 |orig-date= 21 May 2018 |title= Pain for passengers as cancellations and delays hit Southern and Thameslink following timetable shake up |work= Surrey Live |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/pain-passengers-cancellations-delays-hit-14685243 |access-date= 24 August 2024 }}</ref> In 2023, Southern reduced the number of units required to operate the weekday timetable on the line from three to two.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=4, 39}}<ref name=Haigh_2024/>

==Passenger rolling stock==
The first steam locomotives to be used on the Redhill–Tonbridge line were SER [[2-2-2]] engines, built in 1841 by [[Sharp, Stewart and Company|Sharp and Roberts]]. The following year, [[2-2-0]] locomotives manufactured by [[Bury, Curtis and Kennedy|Bury Curtis]] were delivered. From late 1842 to the end of January 1846, the SER, L&CR and L&BR used engines from a common pool.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=57}} E class [[2-4-0]] locomotives were introduced in the early 1860s and hauled passenger services until the end of the 19th century. [[James Stirling (engineer, born 1835)|James Stirling]], who was appointed [[chief mechanical engineer|locomotive superintendent]] at the SER in 1878, introduced [[SER F class|F class]] [[4-4-0]] engines to the line in 1897.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=57}}

[[File:Tonbridge Station ex-SE&CR 0-4-4T geograph-2658589-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|right|An [[SECR H class|H class]] [[0-4-4T]] at {{rws|Tonbridge}} in 1958|alt= A black-and-white photograph of a tank engine at a station]]
During the 1930s, the majority of services were worked by [[SECR F1 class|F1]] and [[SECR D class|D class]] 4-4-0s, and [[SECR H class|H class]] [[0-4-4T]]s. Less frequently, passenger trains were hauled by LB&SCR [[LB&SCR D3 class|D3 class]] 0-4-4Ts and [[LB&SCR E5 class|E5 class]] [[0-6-2T]]s.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=58}} In the 1950s, the majority of passenger trains were hauled by Maunsell [[SECR N class|N]] and [[SR U class|U class]] locomotives, supplemented towards the end of the decade by [[BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0|Standard Class 4 tender]] and [[BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4T|tank engines]]. From 1959 onwards, electrification schemes elsewhere in Kent allowed [[LSWR N15 class]] "King Arthurs" and [[SR V class]] "Schools" steam engines to be transferred to the line.<ref>{{cite magazine |last= Tatlow |first= Peter |date= January 2014 |title= Beside the North Downs  |magazine= Southern Way |issue= 25 |pages= 41–47 |publisher= Noodle Books |location= Corhampton |isbn= 978-1-90-932817-4 }}</ref> [[British Rail Class 33|Class 33]] [[Diesel locomotive#Diesel–electric|diesel-electric]] locomotives began hauling trains in 1962.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=60}}

[[File:Approaching Redhill station - geograph.org.uk - 546718.jpg|thumb|right|A [[British Rail Class 119|Class 119]] unit approaches {{rws|Redhill}} with a service from {{rws|Tonbridge}} in 1979.|alt= A black-and-white photograph of a diesel train crossing a set of points]]
A new timetable was introduced on 4 January 1965, with Class 206 diesel-electric multiple units operating an hourly, all-stations service between Reading and Tonbridge. The new trains consisted of two 6S ([[British Rail Class 201|Class 201]]) coaches from the [[Hastings line]] coupled to an adapted [[British Rail Class 416|2-EPB]] [[control car|driving trailer]] coach. As a result of the visible difference in width between the narrow Hastings line stock and the standard-width trailer, the units were nicknamed "Tadpoles".<ref name=Grayer_2011/> Three-car [[British Rail Class 119|Class 119]] units were introduced to the Redhill–Tonbridge line in April 1979 enabling the withdrawal of the Tadpoles in May 1981.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=95}}

[[File:Hugh llewelyn 508 203 (6431085585).jpg|thumb|right|A [[British Rail Class 508|Class 508]] unit in [[South Eastern Trains]] livery at {{rws|East Croydon}} with a service for {{rws|Tonbridge}} via {{rws|Redhill}}|alt= An electric train at a station platform]] 
Following the electrification of the Redhill–Tonbridge line in 1994,{{sfn|Glover|2001|p=154}}<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Redhill–Tonbridge goes live |date= 13 April 1994 |magazine= RAIL |issue= 224 |page= 17 }}</ref> services were worked by electric multiple units from the existing Network SouthEast fleet.{{sfn|Green|Vincent|2014|pp=185, 194}} The first electric train to run in public service, on 29 May 1994, was a four-carriage [[British Rail Class 423|Class 423]] "4-VEP" unit<ref>{{cite magazine |title= News flashes |date= 6 July 1994 |magazine= RAIL |issue= 320 |page= 19 }}</ref> and initially only [[British Rail Class 421|Class 421]], [[British Rail Class 422|Class 422]] and Class 423 units were cleared to use the line.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Redhill–Tonbridge |date= September 1994 |magazine= Railway Observer |volume= 64 |issue= 787 |page= 411 }}</ref> Between 1998 and 2008, [[British Rail Class 508|Class 508s]] operated services on the line.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= PEP-talk {{!}} The BR second-generation EMU |date= October 2022 |magazine= Rail Express |issue=317 |pages= M14–M15 }}</ref>{{sfn|Oliver|2011|pp=3, 16}} In 2024, all passenger services are operated by Class 377 electric multiple units.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=42-43}}{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}}

==Freight services==
The first goods trains began running on the Redhill–Tonbridge line when it opened in 1842 and facilities for handling freight were provided at Gomshall, Edenbridge and Penshurst in 1844.{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=140}} The yard at Godstone was equipped with a [[crane (machine)|crane]] with a lifting capacity of {{long ton|3|7}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 26}} and one of the sidings sloped steeply down to road level, to allow for onward transport of materials.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=12}} In the early 20th century, Edenbridge was provided with a crane capable of lifting {{long ton|4|0}}.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 33}} The station yards at Gomshall, Edenbridge and Penshurst were closed in the early 1960s.{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 33}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 45}}{{sfn|Mitchell|Smith|1990|loc=Fig. 26}}

While the line was still being constructed, the SER established a [[brickworks]] at South Nutfield. The bricks and tiles produced were transported from a dedicated siding at Mid Street, later the site of Nutfield station. In the 1880s, the works were purchased by Sir Henry Edwards to provide building materials for his new housing development.{{sfn|Deacon|2000|p=252}} In 1925, the site was acquired by the Nutfield Manufacturing Company for the production of [[hydrofluoric acid]] and other chemicals. The plant was demolished in the mid-1980s and houses were built in its place.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|pp=200-201}}

One of the earliest private companies to transport goods via the line was the Upper Medway Navigation Company (UMNC), which constructed a [[tramway (industrial)|tramway]] from Tonbridge Wharf to Tonbridge station in 1844. The company intended to use the railway to expand its coal delivery business into Surrey. It purchased land for sidings at Godstone, Edenbridge and Penshurst and hired its own trucks, when the SER refused to provide its own.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=4}}{{sfn|Hadfield|1969|p=75}}{{efn|The coal sidings at the intermediate stations on the Redhill–Tonbridge line were generally referred to as "[[wharf]]s", as a result of their initial ownership by the Upper Medway Navigation Company.{{sfn|Kidner|1974|p=4}}{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=171}}}} Although the South Eastern Railway Act 1836 permitted independent operators to run trains on the line, the SER refused to certify the locomotive that the UMNC had purchased.{{sfn|Hadfield|1969|p=76}} The SER and its successors ran trains serving the coal sidings at the intermediate stations between Redhill and Tonbridge until the 1950s.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=24}}

In 1896, a private siding was opened to serve a new brickworks on the south side of the line around {{cvt|3/4|mi}}  west of Godstone station.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|pp=200-201}}{{sfn|Gray|1990|p=155}} The works had an internal, {{track gauge|18 in}} [[cable railway|cable-hauled]] railway in addition to the standard-gauge connection to the main line. During the First World War, part of the site was requisitioned as an [[ammunition dump]]. The works were closed during the early 1940s for use by the [[Canadian Army]] as an [[armoured fighting vehicle|armoured vehicle]] depot.{{sfn|Jackson|1999|pp=200-201}} Brickmaking resumed after the Second World War and eventually ceased in March 2001. The western part of the site was used as a [[landfill]] facility for processing spent railway [[ballast]] between 1979/1980 and 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title= Lamb's Business Park {{!}} Major developed site |date= November 2004 |publisher= Tandridge District Council |pages= 9–10 |url= https://www.tandridge.gov.uk/Portals/0/Documents/Planning%20and%20building/Planning%20strategies%20and%20policies/Current%20and%20adopted%20planning%20policies/Supplementary%20planning%20guidance/Lambs-Business-Park-Site-Brief.pdf |access-date= 30 August 2024 }}</ref>

[[File:Tonbridge West Yard, Tonbridge, Kent 03.jpg|thumb|right|Tonbridge West Yard|alt= Two diesel locomotives, behind which is a large blue building with "GB Railfreight" on the side]]
Tonbridge West Yard, at the east end of the Redhill–Tonbridge line, was opened in 1941 to facilitate freight traffic movements during the Second World War.<ref name=TWY/> It was extended in the late 1950s to allow the closure of Paddock Wood Marshalling Yard and to relieve freight depots in the London area.<ref>{{cite news |title= £2M project for new rail freight yard |date= 23 August 1957 |work= Tunbridge Wells Courier |issue= 6348 |page= 1 }}</ref> It is primarily used by [[work train|engineering trains]] and has 16 non-electrified tracks.<ref name=TWY/> In September 2024, the freight operator, [[GB Railfreight]], opened a new maintenance facility for its [[British Rail Class 66|Class 66]], [[British Rail Class 69|Class 69]] and [[British Rail Class 73|Class 73]] locomotives at the site.<ref>{{cite magazine |title= GBRf opens new maintenance facility in Tonbridge |date= 2 September 2024  |magazine= RAIL |url= https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/09/02/gbrf-opens-new-maintenance-facility-in-tonbridge |access-date= 9 September 2024 }}</ref>

The [[travelling post office]] train from {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}} to Dover via Reading, Redhill and Tonbridge was routed along the line from May 1988{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=25}} until 1996, when a new road and rail postal hub opened at [[Willesden]].{{sfn|Jackson|1999|p=50}} Despite the electrification scheme of the mid-1990s, dual-voltage [[British Rail Class 92|Class 92 locomotives]], specifically designed to haul freight and overnight passenger trains via the Channel Tunnel, cannot be used on the Redhill–Tonbridge line owing to incompatibility with the signalling system.{{sfn|"Route Specifications"|2016|pp=121-124}}{{sfn|Gourvish|2002|pp=325-326}} The Network Rail 2008 Strategic Business Plan recommended an enhancement project to enable international freight traffic to use the line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Strategic Business Plan Update |date= April 2008 |publisher= Network Rail |page= 24 |url= http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/Update/Strategic%20Business%20Plan%20April%20update.pdf |access-date=2010-11-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072041/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/StrategicBusinessPlan/Update/Strategic%20Business%20Plan%20April%20update.pdf |archive-date= 7 June 2011 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

In 2024, the Redhill–Tonbridge line is used by regular freight services, including those operated from Tonbridge West Yard by GB Railfreight. Other freight operators using the line include DB Cargo, Freightliner and Colas Rail.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|p=41}}

==Proposals==
The "Kent Rail Strategy", published in March 2021, proposed re-extending services on the Redhill–Tonbridge line to provide better rail connections between Gatwick Airport and the county east of Tonbridge. In particular, it suggested extending [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (GWR) services between Reading and Gatwick to {{rws|Canterbury West}} and Ashford.{{sfn|"Kent Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=16, 26, 48, 62}} The construction of a new chord at {{rws|Cuxton}}, linking the [[Medway Valley line]] and [[Chatham Main Line|North Kent Main Line]], could also be used to improve connectivity been the airport and the [[Medway Towns]].{{sfn|"Kent Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=27}} Finally, the study noted the importance of the Redhill–Tonbridge line to local school and college students travelling between Edenbridge and Tonbridge.{{sfn|"Kent Rail Strategy"|2021|p=22}}

[[File:Godstone Station, Surrey - geograph.org.uk - 1214212.jpg|thumb|right|The platform shelters and footbridge at {{rws|Godstone}}: The facilities at this station were proposed for improvement in the 2021 Surrey Rail Strategy.{{sfn|"Surrey Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=46, 56, 61, 68, 81}}|alt= A railway station with two platforms, with a footbridge connecting them]]
The Surrey Rail Strategy, published in March 2021 under the title "A new rail strategy for Surrey", expressed support for extending services on the Redhill–Tonbridge line to Gatwick Airport,{{sfn|"Surrey Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=3, 40, 58}} but warned that the reintroduction of services to London was unlikely unless capacity at East Croydon could be increased.{{sfn|"Surrey Rail Strategy"|2021|p=50}} It also reported that a programme to improve weather resilience was planned, which would reduce the likelihood of line closures caused by [[landslip]]s.{{sfn|"Surrey Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=46, 51}} Finally, the study noted that improvements to facilities at Godstone station could accompany a planned housing development in the area.{{sfn|"Surrey Rail Strategy"|2021|pp=46, 56, 61, 68, 81}}

The "Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity" study, published in March 2024, examined the potential for enhancing services on the Redhill–Tonbridge line to encourage greater use of rail by those travelling to the airport.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=5-6}} It noted that online planners frequently recommend routes via London, in preference to journeys requiring changes at both Redhill and Tonbridge.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|p=26}} The study examined the options for extending existing services to Gatwick and also for providing additional semi-fast services that might skip some stations on the Redhill–Tonbridge line.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=58-62}} It noted that the reduction in the number of units allocated to the line on a typical weekday from three to two, means that additional units would be required to add a significant number of new services or to extend existing ones.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=4, 39}} The study also observed that there was greater demand for travel between Reading and Gatwick than between Reading and Tonbridge, and that diverting GWR trains away from the airport to Kent would not be beneficial.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=14, 51}} The report concluded by stating that current rail links between Kent and Gatwick are not attractive and that any future service enhancements are dependent on the development of a full business case, which might require subsidy to cover increased staff and rolling stock costs.{{sfn|"Kent–Gatwick Rail Connectivity"|2024|pp=71-73}}

==Accidents and incidents==
* 28 July 1845: A steam locomotive ran into the back of a passenger train at Penshurst, injuring around 30 people.<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=Accident on the Dover Railway |date=29 July 1845 |page=5 |issue=18988 |column=A }}</ref>
* 20 January 1846: A bridge over the River Medway collapsed beneath a freight train during a flood; the driver was killed when he attempted to jump clear.<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title=Fearful and fatal accident on the South Eastern Railway |date=21 January 1846 |page=5 |issue=19139 |column=D }}</ref> 
* 1 February 1853: A passenger train derailed near Penshurst; 12 people were injured.<ref>{{cite news |title= Accident of the South Eastern Railway |date= 2 February 1853 |work= Morning Chronicle |issue= 26867 |page= 4 }}</ref>
* 5 March 1909: A passenger train that had travelled from {{rws|Charing Cross}} via Redhill, crashed into a mail train at Tonbridge after [[signal passed at danger|passing signals set to danger]]. The [[fireman (steam engine)|fireman]] of the passenger train and a locomotive inspector were killed.<ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title= Railway collision at Tonbridge |date= 6 March 1909 |issue= 38900 |page= 12 }}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper The Times |title= The Tonbridge railway accident |date= 11 March 1909 |issue= 38904 |page= 18 }}</ref>
* 22 December 2019: A landslip between Godstone and Edenbridge closed part of the line.<ref>{{cite news |title=' Significant landslip' between Redhill and Tonbridge disrupts rail services |date= 28 December 2019 |work= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50933141 |access-date= 30 January 2020 }}</ref> A shuttle train service continued to operate between Edenbridge and Tonbridge, whilst the Redhill–Edenbridge section was served by replacement buses. The line reopened and normal services resumed on 16 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/landslip-repairs%3A-redhill-tonbridge-railway-to-reopen-in-march |title= Landslip repairs: Redhill–Tonbridge railway to reopen in March |publisher= Network Rail |date= 22 January 2020 |access-date= 30 January 2020 |archive-date= 14 August 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232521/https://www.networkrail.co.uk/stories/landslip-repairs%3A-redhill-tonbridge-railway-to-reopen-in-march/ |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Redhill to Tonbridge rail route reopens after landslip |date= 16 March 2020 |work= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51905701 |access-date= 26 August 2024 }}</ref>
* 29 March 2024: A landslip at Bough Beech closed the line for 16 days; the train service was restored on 15 April.<ref>{{cite news |last= Honey |first= Sam |date= 14 April 2024 |title= Railway line set to re-open between Redhill and Tonbridge after weeks of disruption |work= Surrey Live |url= https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/railway-line-set-re-open-28993783 |access-date= 26 August 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title= Redhill to Tonbridge line to reopen after Network Rail completes Edenbridge landslip repair |date= 15 April 2024 |work= RailUK |url= https://railuk.com/infrastructure/redhill-to-tonbridge-line-to-reopen-after-network-rail-completes-edenbridge-landslip-repairs/ |access-date= 4 September 2024 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

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{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Attached KML|display=inline,title}}
{{Commons category inline|Redhill to Tonbridge Line|the Redhill–Tonbridge line}}

{{Transport in Surrey}}
{{Railway lines in South East England}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Redhill-Tonbridge line}}
[[Category:Rail transport in Kent]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Surrey]]
[[Category:Railway lines in South East England]]
[[Category:Standard gauge railways in England]]