James Gray: The railway was opened in 1888. Leaving the main line at Aldrington Halt (previously called Dyke Junction Halt) the single line passed beneath Old Shoreham Road, skirted Gibbet’s farm and crossed the old narrow Hangleton Road. Thence, passing close to Hangleton Church, the line wound round the contours of the Downs and, climbing steadily, reached the Dyke Station after traversing a distance of five miles. The outward journey occupied about 30 minutes. Owing to competition by motor buses, traffic gradually diminished and the line closed on 31 December 1938. The rails and sleepers were removed during the early part of the 1939 – 45 War. These photographs are all of the Dyke Station. jgc_37_113
James Gray: See jgc_37_113 above for caption. jgc_37_114
2019: Although the railway terminus buildings and the track have gone, remains of the brick platform at the extreme west end of the line are said to still exist on private property. Grass and vegetation have now taken over the track and platform area. Various items of discarded farm equipment are visible in the current photo. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: See jgc_37_113 for caption. jgc_37_115
2019: See jgc_37_113 for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: See jgc_37_113 above for caption. jgc_37_116
2019: Looking north-west from the original railway terminus buildings. Some of the brick platform remains at the extreme west end of the line. Grass and vegetation have now taken over the track and platform area. The building visible on the skyline in the James Gray photo no longer exists. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: See jgc_37_113 for caption. jgc_37_117
2019: Looking south-east from the site of the original railway terminus on which now stands the farm buildings of Devil’s Dyke Farms. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Golf Club Halt – The station adjoining the Brighton and Hove Golf Club, and half a mile short of the Dyke terminus. jgc_37_118
2019: Golf Club Halt is now overgrown and there is no public access. Recent photos on the internet indicate some of the brick platform visible in the James Gray photo still remains. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Photographed May 1905. The old carriage on the platform was used as a refreshment room, kept by an old retired guard. jgc_37_123
2019: The 2019 photo was taken facing south-east from what would have been the centre of the track, rather than from much higher up the hill. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Two photographs [jgc_37_126 and jgc_37_127] of trains stationary at the Dyke terminus, period unknown but probably the 1920s. Few photographs have been taken looking into the station, but this one gives a good view and also shows the winding path that led from the station to the tea rooms at the extreme right. The farmhouse was demolished many years ago and replaced by the present one much lower down. jgc_37_126
2019: See jgc_37_113 for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: See jgc_37_126 for caption. jgc_37_127
2019: See jgc_37_126 above for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: These two photographs [this and jgc_37_130 above] speak for themselves and need little comment. One wonders what could possibly induce passengers to travel to the Dyke at 4.30 p.m. on a Christmas Day, when it would be completely dark, for the privilege of returning almost at once on the last train. Additional Information: Dyke Railway, Timetable. jgc_37_131
2019: The Dyke Railway no longer runs but a 77 bus runs from the Palace Pier to the Devil’s Dyke Hotel on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays only. Unlike the railway, the bus does not run on 25 December. The bus leaflet suggests several walks from the Devil’s Dyke but does not mention the Dyke Railway Trail walk. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: I have some misgivings about the lower photograph. It is said to be of a train standing at the Dyke Station during the 1920s. It is too indistinct. Some features support this opinion while others do not. jgc_37_132
2019: The line of trees shows the path of the former railway from the terminus down to Brighton and Hove Golf course. This section is now private land. (Photographer: Mark Stephenson)
James Gray: A very clear view of the station – period unknown. jgc_37_134
2019: See jgc_37_113 for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Scenes [this and jgc_37_139] of the Dyke terminus on the last day of the Railway’s history – 31 December 1938. jgc_37_138
2019: See jgc_37_113 for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: Scenes [this and jgc_37_138] of the Dyke terminus on the last day of the Railway’s history – 31 December 1938. jgc_37_139
2019: See jgc_37_113 for caption. (Photographer: Alison Minns)
James Gray: No comment really necessary. Railway Sentinel Railcar (No 6) at the Dyke Station, 1933. [This image is identical to jgc_37_130] jgc_37_180
2019: View looking north-west. The station was demolished after the railway closed in 1939. Only a short section of the long platform remains at the end of the trackbed. Some farm buildings are shown in the background of the old postcard. These were demolished and Devil’s Dyke farmhouse built on the site in 1949. (Photographer: Jane Cheema)
James Gray: Tea gardens at Dennett’s Corner, the Dyke, with the buildings of the Dyke Station in the Valley. Period unknown, but certainly before 1914. Before the coming of the motor buses a good trade was done here as all passengers and the railway had to pass here to and from the Dyke. Trade dwindled during the 1920s as buses took people straight to the Dyke Hotel and the tea rooms closed before the railway finished. Additional Information: Pot of tea, with bread & butter and cake, 6p. jgc_37_129
2019: Dennett’s Corner tea room, located where the winding road from the Dyke Railway station emerged onto the Devil’s Dyke Road, has gone. The track leading down to the Dyke Station remains, though the station buildings have been demolished and replaced with farm buildings (Devil’s Dyke Farm). The track also provides access to a house. An emu now lives in the field! (Photographer: Alison Minns)