Cliftonville Curve

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+12 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]

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