Cliftonville Curve
The Cliftonville Curve looking northeastwards
Overview
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleHove, Preston Village, Brighton, East Sussex
Termini
Connecting lines
Stations2: Hove, Preston Park
Service
Operator(s)Southern
History
OpenedJuly 1879 (1879-07)
Technical
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Cliftonville Curve is a short railway that links the West Coastway Line to the Brighton Main Line between Hove and Preston Park.[1] It was opened in July 1879.[1][2] The curve includes a 535-yard (489 m) tunnel.[2]

The line, which is also known as the Cliftonville Spur,[3] was named in reference to Cliftonville station (now called Hove) which had opened in 1865.[4] Cliftonville was an area of Hove which was developed speculatively as a "fashionable neighbourhood" in the mid-19th century.[5] Construction of the curve allowed trains to travel between the Brighton Main Line and the West Coastway Line without having to reverse at Brighton,[3] reducing congestion there and shortening journeys.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Jeffs 2013, chpt. "A Brief History of the 'Brighton'"
  2. 1 2 3 Hymans 2016, chpt. "The West Coast Route"
  3. 1 2 Middleton 1979, p. 55.
  4. ↑ Middleton 1979, p. 54.
  5. ↑ Middleton 1979, p. 53.

Bibliography

  • Hymans, Michael (2016). Sussex Steam. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-445663-06-7.
  • Jeffs, Simon (2013). The London to Brighton Line Through Time. Stroud: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 978-1-445609-79-9.
  • Middleton, Judy (1979). A History of Hove. Chichester: Phillimore & Co. ISBN 0-85033-325-3.

50°50′02″N 0°09′36″W / 50.83395°N 0.15991°W / 50.83395; -0.15991

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