1066 DC: Hastings to London Charing Cross Drivers Eye View

At the southern end, the line threads through three stations around St Leonards, separated by two long tunnels. Emerging at Bopeep Junction, our 4-CEP EMU in the distinctive "Jaffa cake" livery heads north through the East Sussex countryside, passing Battle before reaching Tunbridge Wells. The line changes character at Tonbridge as it merges with the main route from Ashford, Dover, and Folkestone.

From Orpington, the line expands to four tracks as we enter the commuter belt. Approaching London Bridge, the fast lines disappear into a tangle of tracks, sharing the route with a variety of slam-door EMUs. The route continues through the intricate junctions with Cannon Street and the Thameslink lines, finally crossing Hungerford Bridge to arrive at platform 5 of Charing Cross, one of London’s most central termini.

The Hastings line is famous for its narrow tunnels, many of which were originally under-engineered by a rogue contractor who skimped on brickwork. Once discovered, a second layer of bricks was added inside each tunnel, reducing their width and necessitating specially constructed narrow-bodied trains.

During the 1980s electrification, many tunnels were singled to allow standard-width stock to pass. From the driver’s cab, the restricted clearances and engineering ingenuity are fully apparent, offering a rare perspective on the line’s unique operational challenges.