This historical map of Brighton Station and its associated coal and goods yards, as they existed in 1855, provides a fascinating insight into the station’s early infrastructure. Produced by Michael Sherred in 2025, the hand-drawn map highlights key railway features, including the Lower Goods Yard, coal storage areas, and major rail connections that played a crucial role in Brighton’s economic and industrial growth.
Key Features of the Map:
- Coal Yards and Trade:
Coal was the driving force behind the development of railway connections to Brighton. The goods yards handled significant coal imports and building materials from Shoreham, supplying industries and homes across the city. - The Cab Road Tunnel (Green Line):
This tunnel, added in 1841 as a road and later covered, was designed to reduce the gradient of the approach for cabs, preventing a steep incline that would have made horse-drawn vehicles difficult to manoeuvre. The initial route from Trafalgar Street to platform level was a ramp up the side of the east side of the station called The Approach, because the top end of Trafalgar Street was too steep for horses. With the eastward extension to the station in 1861, this became enclosed as a tunnel. In 1883, to reduce the gradient, the Cab Road was lengthened, necessitating a tight, hairpin bend as show on the map. - Goods Tunnel (Red Dotted Line):
The goods tunnel brought freight from the Shoreham line to the lower goods yard. This ran beneath the passenger platforms, allowing movement of freight without interfering with passenger services. “The Chasm”, as it was known by railway workers, was the cutting that brought the line down into the goods tunnel. - Railway Connections:
The Lower Goods Line, which opened in 1854. Today, this route has been repurposed into the “Greenway”, a modern pedestrian and cycle path. - Turntables and Railway Infrastructure:
The map marks several turntables, used for manually rotating locomotives and wagons, as well as the locations of key station buildings, the Station Master’s House, and other support structures. - Queens Road Expansion:
Built in 1846 to improve access to the station, Queens Road was later widened in the 1870s and 1880s, creating better connections between the station and the city. The opening of Queens Road, and the later introduction of motorised cabs, eventually led to the disuse of the Cab Road in the 20th century.
This detailed interpretation of Brighton Station in 1855 captures the complexity of railway operations at the time, illustrating how coal, freight, and passenger transport were intricately linked. The annotations provide valuable historical context, revealing how Brighton’s railway landscape evolved over time to accommodate growing industrial demands and passenger needs.
