Quirky Branch Lines In SE England

[tsr]

The Uckfield branch is unlike most of the other lines in the SE.
It's not electrified and there are a lot of single track sections.

There's also the tunnel through the North Downs that's split by the Redhill - Tonbridge line passing over it in a cutting. As far as I know there's no other tunnel like it in the UK (but happy to be corrected if that's wrong).

Cheers,
Mr Toad

That tunnel is actually two - Little Browns Tunnel on the London side, then the bridge of the Redhill-to-Tonbridge line in a tiny little cutting, then Edenbridge Tunnel on the country side. They have separate identities in the route knowledge of the crews, though Southern Control usually refer to the whole entity as Edenbridge Tunnel.

I can't think of another tunnel like it, though as we all know, there are plenty of complex flyovers and diveunders which are equally peculiar, if not tunnels.

The Uckfield line is pretty - although not in the league of the other lines suggested, and has unique rolling stock. The stations have lots of disused and overgrown infrastructure on the lines and platforms closed since the line was singled. You can also easily get a bus to/from Lewes from Uckfield.

There's the miniature railway at Romney to Hythe and Dimchurch too, plus the Spa Valley near Uckfield and of course the Bluebell if you'd like some heritage lines.

Beyond Hurst Green (which is best ignored...) the Uckfield Line certainly is fairly high in the league, it's just the bit from Croydon which would put people off. Admittedly it is much better in certain weather conditions than others (winter mist, a foggy Halloween, sunrise around Buxted or in sunset from Ashurst to Oxted Tunnel). It's easily possible to get fantastic photos down there with a decent camera.

The best way I've found to do the Spa Valley is to time it each end with the trains at Eridge (interchange is just over the station footbridge, though there is no through rail connection allowing trains onto NR metals) and at Tunbridge Wells (the main line Central station is a pleasant walk from the West, served by the SVR, which has decent refreshment facilities). It is possible to do a "round robin" trip with a combination of tickets, and a change of trains at Tonbridge as needed (Redhill-Tonbridge is nice enough, though not worth the trip by itself!).

How about to Tattenham Corner, or Catterham ?

Tattenham Corner is nicer than Caterham, especially a few stations out, when you head over the valley. Woodmansterne station has a certain charm about it, though rather less than it once did. I believe the model shop at Tattenham Corner is still there, for the model railway enthusiasts.

 

[30907]

Just because no-one else has, I'll mention Bromley North. Must be the shortest selfcontained NR branch in the SE and have the most over-length platforms.
Scenery not exactly exciting though

 

[3141]

Princes Risborough to Aylesbury is interesting. At PR you have the Chinnor and PR preserved railway, and the North signal box. On the route to Aylesbury two small rural stations, and a level crossing where trains have almost to stop, and it's hard to see how it could be replaced by a bridge. Scenic as it runs along the foot of the Chilterns. Amazing how it survived, though now it's an important link from Chiltern's depot at Aylesbury to their main line at Princes Risborough.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Have to recommend Wickford to Southminster. Across fenlands, enormous skies, next to the River Crouch along the way, ends up in a small town in the middle of nowhere (well, on the way to a nuclear power station) (Nice walks along the coast near Bradwell if you can get there too)

I'm intrigued. I always thought the sky was basically the same size wherever you were.

 

[AM9]

I'm intrigued. I always thought the sky was basically the same size wherever you were.

No emoticon with your comment then?

 

[Tio Terry]

I believe the model shop at Tattenham Corner is still there, for the model railway enthusiasts.[/QUOTE]

Afraid not, it's now an off licence.

 

[700007]

The Mayflower line is another good one running via the River Stour if I am correct then passing the port and into the little dockside town of Harwich. For half of the line it also has a variety of trains including 360s and 170s at selected times of the week.

 

[Be3G]

If you want a real day of it, then early to Sheringham, and then the CoastalHopper bus all the way along to Lynn, getting off at whichever of the great beaches, small towns and Hun'ston as you wish.

I did exactly this some years ago. Good day out, and getting to see the sun set across the water at Hunstanton was quite novel for this side of the country!

 

[Antman]

On London Underground the Finchley Central to Mill Hill East branch of the Northern Line is quite quirky.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Hampton Court branch is nice if you want to see how the 1%-ers live (). Chessington South is quite interesting with the abandoned 2nd platform and never-finished Leatherhead extension. Perhaps avoid stopping off at Malden Manor though!

 

[tsr]

Afraid not, it's now an off licence.

Oh dear! At least the big trains are still there.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

The Hampton Court branch is nice if you want to see how the 1%-ers live (). Chessington South is quite interesting with the abandoned 2nd platform and never-finished Leatherhead extension. Perhaps avoid stopping off at Malden Manor though!

The Chessington branch, along with the Shepperton branch are one's that you should positively avoid.

Chessington is graffiti ridden and full of unruly local kids or brats going to the World of Adventures/Zoo.

Shepperton is a branch to nowhere and insignificant dump, just make sure that you hide your phone and valuables.

The NDL plan carefully, especially when you use eastern side to Redhill and want any of the smaller stations, the service is very like the local Compass Buses, sometimes they turn up, sometimes they don't or go sailing straight through due to their lateness. I avoid it like the plague.

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

More a by-way than a branchline: Leatherhead - Dorking - Horsham. South of Leatherhead you have the Surrey Hills AONB and just north of Dorking views directly over a genuine English vineyard. South of Dorking is very rural and trains are fairly quiet off-peak. The connection forward from Horsham to the coast (the Arun Valley line) provides more rural atmosphere with rather good views of Arundel Castle across the river as you approach the station.

 

[bramling]

The Chessington branch, along with the Shepperton branch are one's that you should positively avoid.

Chessington is graffiti ridden and full of unruly local kids or brats going to the World of Adventures/Zoo.

Shepperton is a branch to nowhere and insignificant dump, just make sure that you hide your phone and valuables.

The NDL plan carefully, especially when you use eastern side to Redhill and want any of the smaller stations, the service is very like the local Compass Buses, sometimes they turn up, sometimes they don't or go sailing straight through due to their lateness. I avoid it like the plague.

Lol! The architecture on the Chessington branch is worth braving the local scum to see, although sadly the buildings have suffered from poor maintenance and vandalism. The branch also has a rollercoaster gradient profile.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

No emoticon with your comment then?

That's very observant of you. There wasn't an emoticon. Those readers who are exceptionally sharp-eyed might notice that there's no emoticon with this comment either.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

More a by-way than a branchline: Leatherhead - Dorking - Horsham. South of Leatherhead you have the Surrey Hills AONB and just north of Dorking views directly over a genuine English vineyard. South of Dorking is very rural and trains are fairly quiet off-peak. The connection forward from Horsham to the coast (the Arun Valley line) provides more rural atmosphere with rather good views of Arundel Castle across the river as you approach the station.

And not forgetting the motor museum at Arundel full of weird and wonderful relics of the past

 

[gazthomas]

I always think the Marston Vale Line is a bit quirky - a diesel "island" between two extremely busy electrified routes, with a low frequency, short trains and a plethora of level crossings.

You beat me to it, yes Bletchley to Bedford is worth a go!

Line down to Alton, then switch to the preserved Mid Hants Railway to Alresford.

I also like Ashford to Hastings via Rye - a real time warp.

 

[30909]

And not forgetting the motor museum at Arundel full of weird and wonderful relics of the past

Did you mean Amberley http://www.amberleymuseum.co.uk/ near to the station, one before Arundel?

 

[Mikey C]

One Tube line not mentioned is the Grange Hill branch of the Central Line, which definitely falls into the "how did this become part of the Tube" category!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Lol! The architecture on the Chessington branch is worth braving the local scum to see, although sadly the buildings have suffered from poor maintenance and vandalism. The branch also has a rollercoaster gradient profile.

I singled out Malden Manor as the station to really avoid thanks to its location at the Sunray Estate, or "The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Official Chav Holding Camp" which would be a more accurate name. The whole line can be a bit Ned-tastic but it is interesting nonetheless.

 

[cactustwirly]

I singled out Malden Manor as the station to really avoid thanks to its location at the Sunray Estate, or "The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Official Chav Holding Camp" which would be a more accurate name. The whole line can be a bit Ned-tastic but it is interesting nonetheless.

It isn't too bad, there are much worse places in London and the rest of the UK.
If you're in the area the Hampton Court line is worth a visit too.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

It isn't too bad, there are much worse places in London and the rest of the UK.
If you're in the area the Hampton Court line is worth a visit too.

I mentioned Hampton Court in my first post on this thread. I used to live in East Molesey around 2003ish so it was my local line for a while. Always enjoyed the last Down service each evening which was nearly always a slammer. Usually a VEP but occasionally a CIG or CEP. Even had a BEP show up on it once, buffet counter sadly not in use!