LBSCR E2 0-6-0T No B100 on 'The Crumbles Branch line', known as the 'Ballast Hole', around 1924.

Just north of Eastbourne Station a siding was laid in 1862 extending for about three miles to a desolate area of foreshore known as the Crumbles. Its purpose was for transporting shingle ballast from the beach for use on the LB&SCR's permanent way. With the formation of the Southern Railway angular granite ballast was used and the far end of the line had closed by 1932. The loco has at least three spectacle plates cracked. The wagons are mostly in pre-grouping livery from the LBSC, MR, GWR, GNR, but I can see one possibly in SR livery down the rake. It is a strange selection to be used for ballast traffic as many do not have drop sides, perhaps these are associated with traffic for the Gasworks back up the line.

Photo: F.H. Stingemore / Rail Archive Stephenson