Railway made the town we see today

Although authorised in 1837, the line was not extended from Lewes for another 10 years, the first train running on December 8, 1847. However, even before the Newhaven line was opened there was consideration given to extending the track to Seaford and plans were published as early as 1845. There was obviously a demand for the route because a bus service met the trains at Newhaven to take passengers on to Seaford. Two men were particularly responsible for getting the railway extended to Seaford; they were local landowners, Dr William Tyler-Smith and Thomas Crook. Although both men were wealthy and came from London, they came from very different backgrounds. Tyler-Smith was a physician who had championed the cause of mentally ill women who were incarcerated in asylums whereas Crook had made his money as a building contractor. Both men wished to see Seaford developed although they had different reasons; Tyler-Smith saw the town as a health spa but Crook obviously saw the scope for more housing. Between them they formed the 'Seaford Improvement Committee' which pressed for more bathing huts, seats on the promenade and, of course, the railway. Henry Simmons, a Seaford Bailiff, was also keen on the idea of extending the railway, indeed he even suggested that the whole of Seaford Bay could be developed into a large port. He chaired a meeting at the Town Hall in October 1860 and both Tyler-Smith and Crook attended and agreed to sell some of their land to the railway. It was stated at the meeting that the distance between Newhaven and Seaford was four miles by road but would be only two miles by railway and that the route would simply require a bridge over Marine Parade near the Buckle Inn and a 36 feet deep cutting through Hawth Hill. As a result of this meeting an 'action committee' was established to press for the railway extension from Newhaven. The committee had successful talks with the railway company and a single track was laid and officially opened on June 1, 1864. The station had been built about 80 yards from the parish church with a short road leading up to the entrance guarded with white gates. The station buildings, of course, still stand but there was also a large goods shed. (which was demolished in 1986 to make way for the medical centre) An old print shows that there was a separate entrance for goods vehicles nearby and also several sidings as well as a turntable. On the opening day people were able to travel between Newhaven and Seaford for free and a large crowd gathered at Seaford station to watch the first train arrive including William Tyler-Smith (now the town bailiff) who gave a speech. What a day this must have been for the town; there were parades with bands and bunting everywhere. Despite all the effort to extend the railway there were only six trains a day. (and just three on a Sunday) The fastest train to London took two hours and16 minutes although most trains took more than three hours. But people did come to Seaford. Although it never could rival Eastbourne or Hastings, the town became a favourite resort for many discerning people. Several hotels benefited from the extra trade including the Terminus Hotel which had been built by Tyler-Smith. To understand more about Seaford as a resort visit the museum which has just opened a new exhibition illustrating how the town became a popular seaside destination, and if you do, don't forget to see the model railway showing Seaford station as it was 100 years ago. This working railway has recently been renovated and is a popular exhibit. The railway not only bought visitors to Seaford but also many schools and later on troops who were billeted and trained in the town during the world wars. In many ways the railway made Seaford the town it is today. KEVIN GORDON