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Written by Christopher Ward - 09 Jun 2006
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Location notes
The bridge straddles the Brighton main line roughly half way between the Ouse Valley viaduct and Haywards Heath station. The junction takes a freight only line to Ardingly stone terminal, and will hopefully one day also host Bluebell Railway steam trains. The locations is very rural, and is on a country lane so infrequent road traffic.
Railway type and traffic
The line is frequented by regular 377s from Southern and 319s from First Capital Connect (formerly Thameslink) at roughly 5 - 10 minute intervals for most of the day. There are also two daily Voyager workings in each direction from Brighton, and one on Saturdays. There are also infrequent MUV movements.

The freight is in the form of an ARC stone train from the Mendips to Ardingly and return. This is a weekly working, and usually arrives at Haywards Heath at around 08.30. The freight will pass the location behind (usually) a class 59 on the main line, then reverse back up the freight only line and round a sharp bend. It returns usually a few hours later off the spur, runs round at Haywards Heath and returns on the main line in the mid to late afternoon.
Environment
The bridge has a few houses on the Haywards Heath side, and is surrounded by forest. Traffic is infrequent and there is not much background noise except for bird song.
Road directions
From A23 / M23 / M25:
Turn off at the Warninglid junction on A23 and head west. At the T juntion, turn right and follow this road. At the roundabout, turn right and then left at the next small roundabout. This road takes you to a T junction, from where you turn left toward Balcombe. After Borde Hill gardens, turn right at a junction with a steep hill toward Ardingly and the bridge is beyond the houses.

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Copyhold Junction map co-ordinates
Parking
There is space for up to three cars in lay-bys either side of the bridge, and also further back by the houses.
Public transport
The nearest bus stop is in Cuckfield, using a bus from Haywards Heath station. Cuckfield is about 3 miles walk away.

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Amenities
There are no amenities in the immediate area. There is the petrol station and a few small shops in Cuckfield, otherwise all the major amenities are in Ardingly or Haywards Heath, including a supermarket here.
Accommodation
All these are in Ardingly or Haywards Heath. A list of places can be found at Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Copyhold Junction

Googly map
Streetmap links
Copyhold Junction general view map
Copyhold Junction close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Copyhold Junction



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Photographic notes
Angles good through out the day, although photography can be tricky during winter due to low sun, and as such early morning and late afternoon are best avoided. The sun does not feature too much as line runs north - south at his point. Best to stand either side of the main line, and much more scope for this on western (Ardingly) side of the line.
For the freight on the spur it is best to stand over the main lines to get background countryside in the shot. Trains can be seen from a distance either side, and signals and horns also alert you as to when a train is imminent.


General views - All photographs © Christopher Ward unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south


Fig 4 - Looking south


Location Video



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