Modern Britain

The 'Cuckoo Line', totalling 33 kilometres (20.5 miles) between Polegate and Eridge in East Sussex, was opened in two stages. The first part to Hailsham came into service on 14 May 1849, on the same day as a connection to Eastbourne. The London Brighton & South Coast Railway opened a single track section to Heathfield on 5 April 1880, and a further stretch to Eridge on 1 September 1880. The line gained its name amongst railway staff thanks to the tradition that the first cuckoo of spring was released from a cage at Heathfield Fair. The line fell victim to the Beeching cuts and was closed to passengers on 14 June 1965. The last freight train ran on 26 September 1968.

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