Whitgift Schoolboys' and others' visits to the Chipstead Valley Railway and the Kingswood tunnel under construction

The branch railway line from Purley to Tattenham Corner was built in phases. A single track was opened to Kingswood, a temporary terminus, on 1 November 1897. Heavier civil engineering works were required beyond this point, notably the Kingswood (310 yards) and Hoppity (37 yards) tunnels between Kingswood and Tadworth. This stretch of the line had at first been intended to be in an open cutting, but Parliament dictated tunnels to save severing one part of Banstead Heath from the other. The single line was extended through the tunnels to a station at Tadworth, opened 1 July 1900. The track was doubled the same year, the cuttings and tunnels having been made with that in view. The line was completed to Tattenham Corner, where the terminal station opened 4 June 1901.

The opportunity to visit the building of the railway, including the longer tunnel under construction, was grasped by the Geologists' Association (on 2nd July 1898), the Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club (on 15 April 1899), and the Natural History and Scientific Society of Whitgift School (on 29 June 1898.)

All three excursions were led or co-led by William Whitaker [1836 - 1925] of Croydon, a distinguished geologist, Fellow of the Royal Society (1887) and at the time of the Whitgift excursion the 47th President of the Geological Society of London, the world's premier geological society (founded in 1807). He was President of the Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club for 1899 - 1900, that body changing its name to the Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society with effect from 1 January 1902. He is perhaps best remembered as the author of the two editions, of 1872 and 1889, of the Geological Survey's very comprehensive and detailed Memoir on the Geology of London.

The Whitgift schoolboys' account of their excursion is as follows ..

On Wednesday, June 29th [1898], W. Whitaker, Esq., P.G.S., F.R.S., conducted an excursion to Kingswood. The train left East Croydon at 1.25 p.m., and after changing at Purley, we got to Kingswood Station about two o'clock. Leaving the station, we took the path by the side of the new railway line, and after a short walk arrived at the mouth of a tunnel in process of construction. Proceeding onwards overground we looked down two of the shafts, and saw the men at work digging out the tunnel, into which we presently descended by the second shaft. Here we were provided with lighted candles, and now found ourselves in what appeared to be a long underground passage, the walls of which were strongly supported by innumerable wooden posts and boards. Walking back towards the mouth of the tunnel, we arrived at a part where the walls were quite finished and exposed to view. Again retracing our steps, we got to a small passage, very much resembling, so we were informed, a gallery in a coal pit. This is the first development of the tunnel. After climbing over numerous wooden props, and trying to dodge the drops of candle grease, which were generously distributed over our clothes from the candles, we came to another shaft, from whence we reached the surface of the ground once more, after gaining a very fair idea of how a railway tunnel is constructed. Leaving the tunnel, we walked along the side of the line for a short distance, and presently came upon a "steam navvy" or "American devil" at work. This machine is used to dig out the earth from the sides of the cutting. At each stroke a huge shovel digs out part of the bank and deposits its load in a waggon hard by. When it is stated that three shovel-fulls are required to fill the waggon, and that the latter holds six tons, we got some idea of the amount of earth dug up at each stroke of the shovel. With difficulty persuading the party to leave the "devil", we walked further along the side of the cutting, with the line below us on our right, Mr. Whitaker explaining, in a most interesting manner, the formation of the more curious bits of strata as we went along. The excursion, of course, had its humorous incidents. At one time it was found that most of the party had suddenly vanished, and on looking round we discovered that they had taken possession of two swings in a neighbouring wood, where there was huge delight, which continued until one of the swings, not being accustomed to bear three people at once, gave way under the strain. After this we moved on till the top of the cutting took a downward slope and was once more level with the line. Here we turned back, and walking along the latter, had a much better view of the "wavy" strata. Each point of interest was explained by Mr. Whitaker, whose descriptions were much enjoyed. Still walking back along the line we once more arrived at the abode of that most fascinating machine, the "steam navvy". After again stopping a short time to "see the beast work", we turned our steps towards the "house on Walton Heath", where tea was provided. After making a hearty meal, washed down with unlimited tea and ginger−beer, someone suggested a game of "tip and run". The suggestion being adopted with enthusiasm, sides were chosen, and a most exciting and laughable game ensued. But all good things must end, and eventually we were reluctantly obliged to quit the scene of our enjoyments, and stroll to the station to catch the 7.30 train home. Some of the party cycled to Kingswood and back, while one adventurous spirit walked the whole distance. The rest, however, took train as far as Purley, where most of us, still feeling energetic, walked home, arriving in Croydon shortly before nine o'clock. And thus ended one of the most enjoyable days we remember to have spent in connection with the Natural History Society. Attendance, 23.

At a committee meeting held the next day, it was resolved, on the motion of E.G. Hay, seconded by Mr. Dodd, to present a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Whitaker for his kindness in sacrificing his valuable time for the benefit of the Society. It was also decided, on Mr. Whitaker's approval, to nominate him as vice-president of the society.

The learned 62-year-old academic was doubtless very patient with his party of playful youngsters, even though at one point a number of them deserted the learned discourse to run away and play in the woods! And the boys were fortunate indeed to have such opportunities before any such visit would be impossible to arrange on grounds of 'Health and Safety'!

Sadly, the boys' report tells us more about the swings and the tea than it does about the geology observed, it not even being noted what rock formations the cuttings and tunnel were made through. The 'wavy' strata constitute the sole geological observation! Did they even look for fossils, one wonders? The civil engineering is better described, with the pilot tunnel, the unlined so still-supported tunnel, and the finished lined tunnel all recognisable. Boys will always be boys, and the star attraction, even outshining the swings and the ginger beer and tea was clearly the steam navvy!

Geologically more informative, but less entertaining, accounts of the Geologists' Association and Croydon Microscopical and Natural History Club's visits to the railway works were of course published in those bodies' journals. There are numerous accounts of such visits by geologists published in the geological literature, not a few of which might well be of considerable interest to railway historians.

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