Princes Road Railway
Leaving my front gate, I noticed a railway line chalked on the pavement descending the 1 in 12 gradient of Princes Road.
The line went in both directions, so I decided to trace its origins towards Ditchling Road.
Certain front gateways had been honoured with railway stations.
A brick cross-over from one front entrance had been used to form a tunnel.
The railway line resumed next to a water main.
The lines from the east and west merged into one front entrance forming a siding which extended to the front door of the house.
One might suspect that this was the home of children who had participated in this creative project. Evidently they had used long sticks of chalk and had given their home special access to this new railway network.
Next up was a sign saying RAIL REPLACEMENT BUS pointing towards the road.
A bus was chalked in the middle of the road, but the question which sprang to mind was "why this interruption to the railway network?"
Looking up it became clear.
Engineering works!
Looking west from Princes Road over the chimneys of Ditchling Rise towards the mainline from Brighton to London is a reminder of the railway history of the area.
Brighton Station including the train sheds is a Grade II listed building. Its depot was opened in 1848 as a carriage works by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway. Brighton Railway Works formerly closed in 1962.
The 1891 population census reveals that 334 residents then lived at 1-76 Princes Road.
Many of these people's jobs were railway related.
Boilermaker Holder Up
Boilermaker Railway Works
Boiler Makers Assistant
Carpenter Railway
Clerk Railway Booking
Coachmakers Apprentice
Engine Boiler Maker
Engine Driver
Fireman Railway (2)
Foreman Railway Wagon Makers
Passenger Guard LBSC Railway
Platelayer
Railway Carriage Maker
Railway Clerk (2)
Railway Engine Driver
Railway Guard (7 )
Railway Porter (5)
Railway Signalman (2)
Railway Ticket Collector (2)
Railway Warehouse Clerk
Time Keeper Railway Works.
Up until the 1970s, Princes Road had its own railway signalman (see picture of signalbox).
The Kemp Town branch line, which opened in 1877, formed a junction with the Brighton to Lewes line to the NE of Princes Road just south of where the Waste Transfer Station now stands. The branch line terminated at Kemp Town Station in Coalbrook Road now replaced by the Freshfield Industrial Estate.
Passenger service on the Kemp Town branch line ceased in 1933, but the line continued to be used for freight (e.g. bananas, biscuits and coal) until 1971. Ron French, the signalman remained in his house well into the 1970s. The house was a few yards away from the signalbox on what is now The Centenary Industrial Estate accessed then from a zigzag path at the NE end of Princes Road. He used the signalbox as a tool shed until it was finally taken away.
Click HERE for 15 min video of the branch line which went through Round Hill.
Lewes Road railway station was the first stop on the Kemp Town branch line located in what is now the car park of Richmond House. The tall viaduct, which crossed Lewes Road where Sainsbury is now located, was demolished in 1976.
Steam trains passing through Round Hill
The Oliver Cromwell steam locomotive running somewhat late passed through London Road Station (videoed from Ditchling Road) at 2.15p.m. on Saturday 7th June 2014.
Black V steam locomotive running to time passed through London Road Station on Sunday 8th June 2014 (videoed from London Road Station footbridge).
These special excursions were to mark the 150th anniversary of the Brighton to Seaford line.
London Road Station posters
the History of London Road Station
London Road Station and the Birth of a Community.
London Road Station and its Connections
Where have all the shops gone?
Over 150 years of Cross Channel Connections
The Tradition of Railway Gardening
London Road Station Partnership
About the London Road Station Partnership
A heritage asset
London Road Station - a heritage asset. Read why!
This page was last updated by Ted on 03-Jun-2026