Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line

The Fullerton to Hurstbourne Line was a 6 mile railway line which ran between Fullerton Junction and Hurstbourne in Hampshire, UK. It was also known as the Longparish Branch and by the nickname of Nile Valley Railway.

The passenger services was withdrawn on 6 July, 1931. The line was then used for freight only until 28 May, 1956.

Origins of the Nickname

Nile Valley Railway was a nickname given to this line. It is believed the Victorians named it because of the anglers who visited the area to fish the River Test which has a reputation of being one of the finest trout rivers in the UK.

Operators

* London and South Western Railway 1885-1923
* Southern Railway 1923-1948
* British Railways 1948-1956

History

This railway branch was completed as a double-track line in 1885.

By 1913 it was realised that the investment would never be repaid due to light traffic. The line was then reduced to a single-track line in 13 July, 1913.

A saw mill near Longparish station employed more than 100 men between 1914 and 1919 and up to 30 wagons a day carried goods from the mill.

The passenger services was withdrawn on 6 July, 1931.

During the Second World War, an ammunition storage depot was built near Longparish and the line handled a considerable amount of military traffic. The stores remained in place until the early 1950s.

The freight service last ran on 28 May, 1956, but the track remained and was used to store condemned vans and wagons. The line was taken out of use in April 1960, although a short section at Fullerton remained until 1 June, 1964.

Trivia

It is rumoured that Queen Victoria preferred this route on the way to and from Osborne House because it did not involve passing through any tunnels.

Further reading

* ISBN 1 85306 689 3

See also

Midland and South Western Junction Railway

External links

* [http://www3.hants.gov.uk/railways-of-hampshire History of the railway companies of Hampshire]