Eling Wharf branch - Totton.
An article and pictures by Mick House  

​It is with many thanks to Mick for sending us his pictures taken on a  pedestrian survey of this short and and largely forgotten route serving a once busy terminal.

For a detailed track plan you may care to visit the National Musuem of Scotland's website for this 1910 map, click here  http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.9150&lon=-1.4819&layers=6&b=1

You will note there is a branch off via a turn-plate to serve the Eling Mill. Or for a more recent and detailed map 1937 - 61 click here http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=50.9159&lon=-1.4782&layers=10&b=1

Regards Mick

Photo 1 taken from the west end of Totton station we are looking at what was the start of the Eling Wharf branch (make note of the signal at the end of the platform this will reappear in photo 3). Copyright Mick House

Photo 2 taken from the footbridge to the west of Totton station we are looking at what was the start of the Eling Wharf branch line, the building behind the trees is the Play Away day Nursery the line curves away from the back of the station to the right of the nursery then heads south. Copyright Mick House

Photo 3 taken from the car park of the nursery, in the middle of the picture is the signal from photo 1 at the end of Totton station, to the left the old line ran just behind the wooden fence heading south.

Photo 4 taken from the car park of the nursery again the old line continues left just behind the wooden fence heading south. Copyright Mick House

Photo 5 looking north back towards the nursery (entrance on the right) and the line crosses High street (B3076). Copyright Mick House

Photo 6 with my back to the nursery having crossed High street (B3076) the line runs under the A35 (Totton bypass) road bridge and in to the Eling Wharf site. Copyright Mick House

Photo 7 I continue under the A35 (Totton bypass) road bridge and in to the Eling Wharf site. Copyright Mick House

Photo 8 inside the Eling Wharf site looking north back towards the A35 (Totton bypass) road bridge. Copyright Mick House

Photo 9 inside the Eling Wharf site looking north back towards the A35 (Totton bypass) road bridge One can see several metals embedded in the road surface. Copyright Mick House

Photo 10. Turning about with my back to the bridge looking south in to the site, if you could look past the warehouse to the left you would see the Wharf and the river Test heading out to the Solent. Copyright Mick House

Mick has kindly marked in the route of the branch on this view. Totton station is top right. Courtesy Google Earth