Buyers Try To Catch Train Tunnel Cottage

A house which is a trainspotter's dream has come on the market.

It actually has trains running through the middle of it.

The 19th century cottage lies between two Gothic turrets and stands over the top of Sussex's busiest railway line.

Clayton Tunnel Cottage is perched high above the London to Brighton railway.

It features two bedrooms,a kitchen,lounge,study,shower room and cupboard space,some of which are built into the base of the near 100ft tall turrets.

Owners Railtrack are looking for new tenants for the turreted cottage over the mouth of the tunnel near Burgess Hill.

The well-known landmark is under-passed every day by more than 15,000 commuters travelling between the seaside resort and the capital.

It was originally built in 1836 as a wages office for workers boring through the rugged Sussex countryside.

Later it was turned into a home for railway employees,but stood empty for several years until 1998 when coachbuilder Neill Attewell moved in.

Neill,35,has decided to move on after just a year at the property.

He says his decision has nothing to do with the nine trains an hour rattling under his home.

"I found it a bit isolated.Most of my friends live in Lewes and I found myself trekking back and forwards the whole time.

"That's the only reason I'm moving.The house itself is lovely and,quite honestly,after a couple of weeks I didn't notice the trains.

"Friends who live next to a railway line said they noticed far more noise in their house than in mine above the track.

"The only time it seemed odd was on Christmas Day and New Year's Day,when about lunchtime I suddenly noticed there weren't any trains."

The cottage is being let by a firm of Lewes estate agents for £600 a month.

Property manager David Long said "It is an absolutely unique property and the most unusual I have dealt with.

"It was modernised a year ago and now has all the modern fitting you would expect.

"We are getting a lot of interest in the property and have already conducted several viewings.

"One of our clients said he was interested in the property because he likes to record trains.

"This is probably one of the only houses in Britain where you can do that from the comfort of your lounge."