The company obtained powers to build the line, with the intention that it would be worked by the London Brighton and South Coast Railway (LB&SCR).

The railway originated as an independent scheme drawn up by several former officers and directors of the LB&SCR in 1864 to link Croydon to Tunbridge Wells, via Oxted.

[2] The scheme was controversial as the SSJR was sponsored by the LB&SCR,[2][4] but ran into parts of Surrey and East Sussex which were considered South Eastern Railway (SER) territory.

[1] Substantial progress had been made on the construction of the 2,267 yd long (2.073 km) Oxted Tunnel, although sources disagree as to whether breakthrough had been achieved.

[8][11] The railway historian, Alan Jackson, writes that the 10 mi (16 km) of line north of Oxted was "practically identical" to the SSJR route.

[13][14] The Riddlesdown and Oxted Viaducts were constructed by the CO&EGR to a design by Henry Wallis using wrought iron girders, in preference to building in brick, as intended by the SSJR.