Bournemouth to Southampton
Including Redbridge
Including Redbridge
For a 25" to the mile map of Bournemouth in 1902 courtesy of the National Library of Scotland please click below:-
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=50.7276&lon=-1.8637&layers=168&b=1
The above is an extremely useful map, zoom in and out and pan around to see the locations of Boscombe (To the east) and Bournemouth West - to the west with its junction at Branksome. Also use the overlay transparency button bottom left to see modern road layouts.
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=50.7276&lon=-1.8637&layers=168&b=1
The above is an extremely useful map, zoom in and out and pan around to see the locations of Boscombe (To the east) and Bournemouth West - to the west with its junction at Branksome. Also use the overlay transparency button bottom left to see modern road layouts.
Bournemouth Central Twenty seven and three quarter miles from Dorchester
Mike Morant takes a look at motive power at Bournemouth -
from his collection - with many thanks.
from his collection - with many thanks.
An undated view of BR Southern region class 73 ED no. 73136 in Inter City livery ready to depart from Bournemouth Central station with a Waterloo express.
The unit behind 73136 is '4TCB' unit no. 2802 formed 8/12/86 from 4TC 8002 with TFK 70845 replaced by buffet car 69324 ex disbanded 4REP 2006. It ran until 12/1/88 when disbanded.
[Mike Morant collection]
LSWR Adams X2 class 4-4-0 no. 588 awaits departure from Bournemouth Central whilst in charge of a Waterloo-bound service in the first decade of the 20th century. No. 588 had been built at the LSWR's Nine Elms Works in November 1891 and is depicted here following modifications by Drummond. Withdrawal came in March 1932.
[Mike Morant collection]
BR Standard 7MT No. 70014 Iron Duke in an undated view at Bournemouth Central. It's well known that 70014 was 'the other' Britannia allocated to Stewarts Lane in the 1950's but it's often forgotten that it was initially allocated to Nine Elms from June to October 1951 before moving down the road to 73A.
[Mike Morant collection]
Boscombe Twenty nine miles from Dorchester
N.B Boscombe, which lay between Polkesdown and Bournemouth closed on the 4th October 1965.
N.B Boscombe, which lay between Polkesdown and Bournemouth closed on the 4th October 1965.
Pokesdown Twenty nine and half miles from Dorchester
For a 1902 25" to the mile map courtesy National Library of Scotland please click below:-
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18&lat=50.7312&lon=-1.8255&layers=168&b=1
The main road in the area is the A35 which crosses the main line east of the station on this bridge. As originally built there was a single island platform - this was removed at two platform faces created. Presumably this also created space for four running lines through the station. Seen here on the 24th January 2003. Copyright Kevin Jenkin
Christchurch Thirty one and a quarter miles from Dorchester
For a 25" to the mile 1902 map courtesy National Library of Scotland please click below :-
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.7389&lon=-1.7876&layers=168&b=1
This also shows details of the connection off towards Ringwood.
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=50.7389&lon=-1.7876&layers=168&b=1
This also shows details of the connection off towards Ringwood.
Christchurch Looking east 24th January 2003 Copyright Kevin Jenkin. To the left beyond the station lay sidings and also off to the left lay the line to Ringwood - this closed to passengers and goods w.e.f the 30th September 1935. The last train running on the 28th September 1935. ** This picture dated 24th January 2003. Copyright Kevin Jenkin ** Please refer to the history of the Hurn branch and Ringwood area compiled by Andrew Bellis. See below.
Railways in the Ringwood area to Christchurch and Brockenhurst
inc the Hurn branch. A history and personal reminiscences by Andrew Bellis
The Hurn branch was in fact the first serious closure in the Wessex area, being the original line connecting London/Southampton to the then new town of Bournemouth. The line between Ringwood and Christchurch (later extended west to Bournemouth, that part being now the main line) was built as a separate undertaking, leaving the 'old road' from Brockenhurst to Poole at Ringwood turning south, and going single line through Avon Lodge Halt and Hurn before reaching Christchurch. Hugging the river, the route twisted quite sharply through pine plantations and only had a passing loop at Hurn; as trains became faster it was completely unsuitable, especially as the landowner who owned the bulk of the land it was built on demanded the right to stop any train when he wanted to travel between his home at Hurn Court and his fishing lodge, Avon Castle! It closed with the last service running 28th September 1935 and the lines were lifted by July 1937, except for long sidings used for stock storage at the Christchurch end which went about 1980. I've walked most of the little 'Hurn branch' over the years and it must have been a fun trip, a bustling little M7 setting light to the resinous pine trees...Hurn Station http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/hurn/ is now a pub and Avon Lodge Halt is a private house (very nice) with a bit of platform still evident. The Ringwood end of the little line is the most traceable now; as I mentioned, the private Avon Lodge Halt is now a home on a very exclusive estate into which I feel I'm intruding with my bicycle freewheel ticking, it's that quiet! One of their access roads is along part of the railway route. Avon Lodge was rebuilt as a mock castle, and is now divided into 'exclusive' flats. The little line joined the 'Old Road' just west of Ringwood, double lines then went over the River Avon (the bridge is still there and forms part of a cycleway along the 'Old Road', called the Castleman Trailway), then a level crossing over the main road from Christchurch into Ringwood, and terminated in a dedicated and covered bay as you say, pointing towards Brockenhurst. You make a very valid point about the service having to be push-pull once the little line ceased to be the main route to Christchurch/Bournemouth, hence the use of M7's that had such 'auto' equipment and simply shuttled between Ringwood and Christchurch/Bournemouth. I have a suspicion that at one time there was a turntable at the Christchurch end, useful in the days before the Bournemouth extension was built. There was certainly a shed, used latterly for goods but looking very much like an engine shed.
The dates of the closure of the 'Old Road' Brockenhurst-Poole are complex. It was a very useful diversion route when traffic was too busy at Bournemouth (! imagine that - and Bournemouth had a down platform so long that it could accomodate two whole trains, and still does, except relaid pointwork doesn't allow such diagrams any more) - but it still went in May 1964 for regular passengers and 1966/7 for a few 'specials', and freight and light engines (a scrap yard in Ringwood dealt with the demise of a few Standard class locos). However, to the west, the line was still useful for the Army petrol dump at West Moors, so the section from Poole through Broadstone and Wimborne to West Moors became a ghost line with occasional workings of class 33 diesels on tanker duty as well as a few 'enthusiast specials' until 1977/8. How those railway routes would be useful now - car traffic with commuters into Bournemouth/Poole has become manic.
The book I mentioned - 'Castleman's Corkscrew Volume Two' by B. L. Jackson - is highly recommended, as is Volume One, both have photos in that I'd never seen previously.
Andrew Bellis. Many thanks Andrew.
inc the Hurn branch. A history and personal reminiscences by Andrew Bellis
The Hurn branch was in fact the first serious closure in the Wessex area, being the original line connecting London/Southampton to the then new town of Bournemouth. The line between Ringwood and Christchurch (later extended west to Bournemouth, that part being now the main line) was built as a separate undertaking, leaving the 'old road' from Brockenhurst to Poole at Ringwood turning south, and going single line through Avon Lodge Halt and Hurn before reaching Christchurch. Hugging the river, the route twisted quite sharply through pine plantations and only had a passing loop at Hurn; as trains became faster it was completely unsuitable, especially as the landowner who owned the bulk of the land it was built on demanded the right to stop any train when he wanted to travel between his home at Hurn Court and his fishing lodge, Avon Castle! It closed with the last service running 28th September 1935 and the lines were lifted by July 1937, except for long sidings used for stock storage at the Christchurch end which went about 1980. I've walked most of the little 'Hurn branch' over the years and it must have been a fun trip, a bustling little M7 setting light to the resinous pine trees...Hurn Station http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/h/hurn/ is now a pub and Avon Lodge Halt is a private house (very nice) with a bit of platform still evident. The Ringwood end of the little line is the most traceable now; as I mentioned, the private Avon Lodge Halt is now a home on a very exclusive estate into which I feel I'm intruding with my bicycle freewheel ticking, it's that quiet! One of their access roads is along part of the railway route. Avon Lodge was rebuilt as a mock castle, and is now divided into 'exclusive' flats. The little line joined the 'Old Road' just west of Ringwood, double lines then went over the River Avon (the bridge is still there and forms part of a cycleway along the 'Old Road', called the Castleman Trailway), then a level crossing over the main road from Christchurch into Ringwood, and terminated in a dedicated and covered bay as you say, pointing towards Brockenhurst. You make a very valid point about the service having to be push-pull once the little line ceased to be the main route to Christchurch/Bournemouth, hence the use of M7's that had such 'auto' equipment and simply shuttled between Ringwood and Christchurch/Bournemouth. I have a suspicion that at one time there was a turntable at the Christchurch end, useful in the days before the Bournemouth extension was built. There was certainly a shed, used latterly for goods but looking very much like an engine shed.
The dates of the closure of the 'Old Road' Brockenhurst-Poole are complex. It was a very useful diversion route when traffic was too busy at Bournemouth (! imagine that - and Bournemouth had a down platform so long that it could accomodate two whole trains, and still does, except relaid pointwork doesn't allow such diagrams any more) - but it still went in May 1964 for regular passengers and 1966/7 for a few 'specials', and freight and light engines (a scrap yard in Ringwood dealt with the demise of a few Standard class locos). However, to the west, the line was still useful for the Army petrol dump at West Moors, so the section from Poole through Broadstone and Wimborne to West Moors became a ghost line with occasional workings of class 33 diesels on tanker duty as well as a few 'enthusiast specials' until 1977/8. How those railway routes would be useful now - car traffic with commuters into Bournemouth/Poole has become manic.
The book I mentioned - 'Castleman's Corkscrew Volume Two' by B. L. Jackson - is highly recommended, as is Volume One, both have photos in that I'd never seen previously.
Andrew Bellis. Many thanks Andrew.
Hinton Admiral Thirty four and a half miles from Dorchester
On the 3rd and 4th June 1967 No. 4498 'Sir Nigel Gresley' on tour on the 'Southern' operated two tours originating from Waterloo. See Six Bells Junction.
Near New Milton
New Milton Thirty seven and a quarter from Dorchester
Near Sway
Sway Forty and quarter miles from Dorchester
Thought to be west of Brockenhurst.
RCTS: Farewell to Southern Steam 18/6/67.
Bulleid original WC pacific 34023 Blackmore Vale and rebuilt West Country no. 34108 Wincanton double-head the special through the New Forest much of which is actually devoid of trees. This pairing of motive power hauled the penultimate leg of this tour from Weymouth to Salisbury via Bournemouth, Southampton, Eastleigh and Romsey and was, by this time, running some 45 minutes down on its schedule. The sixbellsjunction web site states that none of the locos wore their erstwhile names but Wincanton certainly did. However, whether they were the real deal or replicas I know not but I think, from a long-ago memory, that they were the real ones.
[Mike Morant]
A bridge over the B3055 about one and half miles west of Brockenhurst
Brockenhurst Forty three miles from Dorchester
(Junction for the Lymington branch)
(Junction for the Lymington branch)
RCTS: Wessex Wyvern 8/7/56.
This tour started from Waterloo behind Maunsell 'Schools' no. 30925 as far as Brockenhurst where this shot was taken of ex-LSWR Drummond T9 'Greyhound' 4-4-0 no. 30287 which hauled the next leg as far as Weymouth Junction where entirely GWR motive power took over the haulage duties to the Quay station.
[Mike Morant collection]
Southern Maunsell 'Schools' class 4-4-0 no. 30925 Cheltenham at Brockenhurst on 8/7/56. No. 30925, a survivor into the heritage era, was built at the Southern's Eastleigh works in 1934, acquired it's BR number in April 1950 and was withdrawn from service at Basingstoke mpd in December 1962.
[Mike Morant collection]
The branch line celebrated the 150th anniversary of its opening in July 2008. Between 2005 and 2010, it was promoted as a 'heritage' route, making use of older rolling stock that had been retired from elsewhere on the UK rail network. The old order at Brockenhurst on the 19th December 2003 as electric units provide the service to Lymington. Copyright Kevin Jenkin
This is the view looking west towards Bournemouth, to the left the Lymington branch can be seen bearing away heading for the ferry port. of Lymington. Picture taken on the 19th January 2003 Copyright Kevin Jenkin. The Lymington branch retains its third rail electrification although the traffic is handled by class 158 units from Monday to Friday and class 450 emus on weekends.
Looking at the 25" map one can see that Brockenhurst had a substantial goods yard complete with a turntable, also that the station serve both the Lymington and Ringwood branches though these diverged from the main line at Lymington Junction about a mile away. In the 1970's the junction was eliminated and the Lymington branch extended to Brockenhurst as an independent line. The Ringwood line - the 'Castlemens Corkscrew' was closed between Lymington Junction and Hamworthy Junction closed to passenger traffic on 4 May 1964, although part of this section was kept open for freight access to private sidings for some time. Track lifting began on the section between Lymington Junction and Ringwood, being completed in 1965.
Beaulieu Road Forty seven and three quarter miles from Dorchester
Lyndhurst Road Now Ashurst since 1995 Fifty and a quarter miles from Dorchester
Totton Yard
A link to Totton yard from Brokenford footbridge 55 years ago:
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/613248
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/613248
Totton Level crossing
Totton Fifty three and a quarter miles from Dorchester
(Junction for the Fawley branch)
(Junction for the Fawley branch)
Redbridge Junction
Redbridge Junction
Redbridge Junction
Redbridge Junction Mick House
The 5 pictures in this section are all photographed from the old Redbridge Track and Sleeper Works after its closure around 1992.
The 5 pictures in this section are all photographed from the old Redbridge Track and Sleeper Works after its closure around 1992.
P2) Class 47 832 (TAMAR) crosses Redbridge Junction on to the section known as The Sprat and Winkle Line, it was the common name of the Andover to Redbridge railway line, It was built by the Andover and Redbridge Railway. In 1863 the uncompleted railway was taken over by the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) who opened the line in 1865 and operated until 1923 when it amalgamated with several other railways to create the Southern Railway (SR). Copyright Mick House.
Many thanks to Mick House for the above collection.
Redbridge Fifty three and three quarter miles from Dorchester
In this view courtesy of the National Museum of Scotland (Non Commercial use) Redrbridge staton is in view as are the lines to Romsey and Salisbury exit at the top and to Bournemouth exit left and to Southampton exit right.
Note the Rail and sleeper works and associated sidings and also the pole pool.
Southampton Freightliner terminal
Millbrook Fifty five and a half miles from Dorchester
Millbrook concrete footbridge was it in danger of collapse?
By Mick House.
Millbrook footbridge has been reinforced with the installation of two RSJ (Rolled Steel Joist) frames, one on the island platform surrounding the existing concrete support and the other, on the north east side entrance to the station inside the existing concrete support and this also has a new end ramp. The south west support has not been touched. The station entrance frame has also had concrete counter balance weights installed on a concrete plinth to one side; presumably the original supports are sinking/unstable. Part of the old ramp made from bullhead rail and concrete slabs was taken out to accommodate the counter balance weights. The new ramp is set as a return from the old one and was constructed with side walls of concrete blocks, tubular handrails, and compacted infill, topped with tarmac and protected with Armco crash barriers. Both the frame on the platform and the counter balance weights are enclosed with galvanised steel palisade (triple pointed) railings. I am uncertain if this is a permanent measure or if they plan on replacing the old footbridge altogether.
Words by Mick House.
Words by Mick House.
SOUTHAMPTON CENTRAL
Fifty six and a half miles from Dorchester.
Fifty six and a half miles from Dorchester.
Read all about it - the history of the development of Southampton Station - click below ( Courtesy Wilipedia) :-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_Central_railway_station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southampton_Central_railway_station
3556 MN 35029 Ellerman Lines is seen on an express to Waterloo at 9.58am
Copyright Mike Roach
3558 WC 34012 Lapford is seen taking water at 10.13am, and believed to be also heading for Waterloo.
Copyright Mike Roach
In between photographing the two locos I walked to the end of the footbridge and took this bus parked in the station forecourt on the south side of the station. Its Southampton Corporation number 230, a Guy Arab, on route 54. The bus is believed to date from 1951. The liner in the background was believed to be Pendennis Castle or Pretoria Castle. Copyright Mike Roach
The west end of the station. A class 158 unit on a service from Totton to Salisbury via Southampton Central, St Denys, Swaythling, Eastleigh, Chandlers Ford and Romsey approaches platform 2. Platform 5 the end of which is to our left is not in passenger use but the metals are used for stock storage. Platform 4, to the right in this picture is used for trains to Bournemouth, Weymouth and also to Salisbury, Bristol and Cardiff. 25th October 2010. Copyright Roger Winnen