|
The Lymington Branch Line is a railway that runs from Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier, both in the New Forest. The railway line is around long, and is single track throughout its length. It diverges from the South Western Main Line at ''Lymington Junction'';〔(Network Rail - Route 3 (SWML) Route Plan )〕 and, at Lymington Pier, trains connect with Wightlink ferry services to Yarmouth, on the Isle of Wight. The Lymington Branch Line is electrified using the 750 V DC third rail system—common in the former Southern Region of British Railways. ==Origins== The line had been constructed by the ''Lymington Railway Company'', which was authorised on 7 July 1856, with a capital of £21,000. It was to be built from the London and South Western Railway (LSWR) at Brockenhurst to Lymington Town Quay. The Company was authorised to purchase the Quay and the Town Bridge, and to build a jetty.〔R A Williams, ''The London & South Western Railway'', volume 1, David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1968, ISBN 0 7153 4188 X〕 The short line was constructed quickly, and an inaugural passenger train ran on 8 May 1858. However this was before the visit of the Board of Trade inspecting officer, and when he made he inspection, he expressed his satisfaction, but now the LSWR required additional work on the track before it would start operations. After this work was done, the line opened on 12 July 1858, with the LSWR working it. Goods traffic probably started on 23 July 1858.〔R A Williams, ''The London and South Western Railway, Volume 2: Growth and Consolidation'', David & Charles, Newton Abbot, 1973, ISBN 0 7153 5940 1〕 The jetty was not opened until 1 June 1861. Independent ferry operators crossed from Lymington to the Isle of Wight, and the Company tried to interest the LSWR in using Lymington as a ferry terminal, but without success. At the time there was bitter competition between the LSWR and the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, resulting in extremely cheap fares via Portsmouth. A further Act of 21 July 1859 authorised the Company to purchase the river ferry to Boldre, and to charge tolls on Lymington Bridge. A further £11,800 capital was authorised: at this time, the original Lymington station was dilapidated and was said to be dangerous, and a new Lymington station was opened on 19 September 1860.〔〔 A station was opened at Shirley Holms, about a mile (about 2 km) from Lymington Junction, was opened on 10 October 1860; the station was not entered into public timetables, and fell into disuse when the Sway line opened in 1888. In 1878 agreement was reached for the LSWR to purchase the line, and this took effect on 21 March 1879. Lymington's own commercial activity declined steeply during the existence of the railway, and the steamers that ran to the Isle of Wight assumed an increasing importance; but silting in the Lymington River often prevented ferries from berthing at the quay, and the walk to and from the jetty was dirty and inconvenient. When the Freshwater, Yarmouth and Newport Railway go it s authorising Act in 1880, the LSWR determined to extend the Lymington line to reach a deep water berth. On 22 August 1881 they obtained powers to extend the line to a deep water location; the extension was 34 chains (684 m) long, and opened on 1 May 1884.〔 The principal ferry operator had been the Solent Steam Packet Company; on 1 July 1884 the LSWR purchased the paddle steamers ''Solent'' and ''Mayflower'' as well as numerous smaller vessels.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Lymington Branch Line」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|