September 1851, with the Robertsbridge–Battle section opening on 1 January 1852. The Battle–Bopeep Junction section opened on 1 February 1852. Description of the route The line climbs steeply out of the Medway Valley at gradients of between 1 in 47 and 1 in 300 to a summit south of Tunbridge Wells, the line undulates as far as at gradients between 1 in 80 and 1 in 155 before descending into the Rother Valley, which it follows as far as at gradients between 1 in 48 and 1 in 485. The line then climbs at gradients between 1 in 86 and 1 in 170 before a dip where it crosses the River Brede. This is followed by a climb to Battle with gradients between 1 in 100 and 1 in 227 before the line falls to Hastings at gradients of between 1 in 100 and 1 in 945. Bopeep Junction is the junction of the Hastings line with the East Coastway line. It lies east of Bopeep Tunnel. There is a pub in Bulverhythe called The Bo Peep. The name was a nickname for Customs and Excise men. Tunnels There are eight tunnels between Tonbridge and Hastings. In order from north to south they are: Stations The original stations on the Tunbridge Wells to Hastings section of the line are mostly in the Gothic or Italianate styles. These were designed by William Tress. Frant, Wadhurst, Witherenden, Etchingham and Robertsbridge stations opened on 1September 1851. Other station openings are detailed below. Stations are listed under their original names. Tunbridge station opened in May 1842. Following the opening of the branch to Tunbridge Wells in 1845, it was renamed to Tunbridge Junction in January 1852, then Tonbridge Junction in 1893, and to its current name in July 1929. The original station stood to the east of the road bridge, whereas the current station, opened in 1864, stands to the west. Trains leaving Tonbridge had to reverse to reach Tunbridge Wells. This arrangement lasted until 1857, when a new section of line was constructed enabling trains to reach the Hastings line without reversal. The station is from via . Southborough Southborough station opened on 1March 1893. It was renamed High Brooms on 21September 1925 to avoid confusion with Southborough station on the Chatham Main Line, which had already been renamed Bickley. The station is from Charing Cross. Tunbridge Wells The first station at was