Quirky Branch Lines In SE England

[LBOTG]

Could anyone recommend me some interesting branch lines, preferably ones that are unique and pass through rural/odd areas that you won't pass through on a mainline. They can be anywhere in the South of England, but preferably no further West than Southampton/Reading, and no further North than Birmingham or Peterborough.

Cheers!

 

[cactustwirly]

Maidenhead to Marlow is quite nice with a reversal at Bourne End, and the line runs along the Thames to Marlow.

The Henley line is quite good also, although quite short.

Thinking further afield you have the North Downs line which has some nice scenery between Guildford and Redhill

The Reading to Basingstoke line has some good scenery after Mortimer

 

[yorksrob]

The Seaford branch has a lot of character and passes along the foot of the South Downs and along the coast for a way. The local museum in Seaford (in the Martello Tower) was very interesting last time I visited, but that was twenty years ago.

 

[bluenoxid]

Isle of Wight

There are also a number of heritage lines as well

 

[bangor-toad]

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

 

[Tetchytyke]

The Greenford branch is certainly...odd.

 

[ajb690]

Agree with both the above suggestions. Seaford is a lovely town, but do check the times the Martello is open.

Lewes - Brighton has amazing scenery as you cut through the south downs and then over the viaduct over Brighton. Not really a branch line I admit, though!

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.

 

[30907]

I like the southern half of the Medway Valley, interesting buildings and level crossings.
And the Marshlink.
Sheerness has the lift bridge at Kingsferry but the scenery is hardly picturesque.

And you've allowed yourself the whole of East Anglia. Top would be Norwich-Lowestoft for the swing bridges, and Reedham-Yarmouth for Berney Arms, but IMO they're all pleasant.

 

[W-on-Sea]

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)

. (tip: if you're looking for a town to explore on the line, Burnham-on-Crouch is much more interesting than Southminster, and by far the best bet)

 

[urbophile]

The Chesham branch of the Metropolitan line? And the Epping end of the Central (pity about Ongar)?

 

[jopsuk]

technically it breaks your Peterborough/Birmingham rule, but the mainly single track yet electrified Fen Line to Kings Lynn is quite a weird one, sat elevated above the great flatness of the countryside with massive horizons. Now with "heritage" stations- Kings Lynn in 50s BR (including the ticket machines!) colours and signs, whilst Downham Market has a fresh Network SouthEast makeover. Fully within the Network Railcard area

 

[Bletchleyite]

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.

Also has the curiosity of the shared station with the preserved railway at Eridge. And unusual as a branch in being worked, Mon-Fri at least, with quite long DMU trains.

 

[route:oxford]

Maidenhead to Marlow is quite nice with a reversal at Bourne End, and the line runs along the Thames to Marlow.

The Henley line is quite good also, although quite short.

Do both with a walk in between.

There is a "Thames Branches Day Ranger" which may be useful:-

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/pr601e4c0a04000200f63dfe8f29a46f.aspx

The ticket gurus will know best, but I *think* there is an easement that allows the return portion of a ticket to Henley to be used to return from Marlow and vice versa. Can't find it right now though.

 

[DerekC]

Watford to St Albans Abbey is a bit quirky. Pity you can't make it further west or there would be lots to choose from. Liskeard to Looe might almost be worth the trip on its own.

 

[asylumxl]

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.

 

[Bletchleyite]

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.

Quite scenic in places as well - but then so, perhaps surprisingly to some, is the south WCML.

 

[urpert]

I’ve always enjoyed Ipswich - Lowestoft.

 

[NSEFAN]

The Romford-Upmister branch is a bit of an odd one. A Overground service with no interchange to any other Overground lines. At Upmister station, the District line's DC system splits the branch from the LTS route, and there's no physical link between them. The service is provided either by 315s, or 317s (the latter often with generous declassified1st class seating and tables, although the toilets are lock out of use!)

 

[DarloRich]

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.

Quite scenic in places as well - but then so, perhaps surprisingly to some, is the south WCML.

With the added excitement of a chance of a bus tour of rural Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire thrown in when the 153 fails

 

[Bringback309s]

Definitely have to look at the Sudbury branch. Its diesel in electric land, the longest viaduct in East Anglia, the Chappel rail museum (with an excellent beer festival coming up) and Sudbury is pretty and you can walk or cycle along some of the remaining rail line to Cambridge

 

[AM9]

I like the southern half of the Medway Valley, interesting buildings and level crossings.
And the Marshlink.
Sheerness has the lift bridge at Kingsferry but the scenery is hardly picturesque.

And you've allowed yourself the whole of East Anglia. Top would be Norwich-Lowestoft for the swing bridges, and Reedham-Yarmouth for Berney Arms, but IMO they're all pleasant.

I'd also add the Ipswich to Lowestoft East Suffolk line. It isn't a branch as in cul-de-sac and was a main line with through trains to Liverpool St., but these days feels very much like a long branch. Much of it is single track with semaphore signals and jointed track. It has a wide variety of country, estuarial and coastal views. Moreover, it could be part of a circular to Norwich via Reedham which has been mentioned above.

 

[WesternS]

Definitely have to look at the Sudbury branch. Its diesel in electric land, the longest viaduct in East Anglia, the Chappel rail museum (with an excellent beer festival coming up) and Sudbury is pretty and you can walk or cycle along some of the remaining rail line to Cambridge

My thoughts exactly - and not just Chappel (although that is definitely worth the visit) also well worth a stop-off on the way at somewhere like Bures and a walk along the river. As noted, Sudbury is a nice town with good Gainsborough links. Rural north Essex/south Suffolk still feels a bit of a life-time away from the M25.

Another one to consider - the Harwich branch. Interesting start at Manningtree, with lovely views along the Stour estuary and then ending up (via Parkeston Quay - showing my age) and then into Harwich itself, which is a whole lot different type of harbour to Felixstowe across the way with the panamax ships. For stuff to see in Harwich etc, search Diamond Geezer's blog for his day out there (in fact, if you want quirky branch lines in the SE and things to see on them, he's probably been there and done all the necessary research for you. He did the Braintree branch/Silver End a few months ago).

And as noted, both the East Suffolk Line (get the bus from Halesworth to Southwold if it's still running) as well as all the Norfolk branches. 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.

 

[LBOTG]

Thanks for all your suggestions so far, I think I'll probably devote my next day out to covering the various Greater Anglia branches, but the GWR and London Midland branches definitely interest me and I will get to those eventually. If you know of any more, please let me know!

 

[Hornet]

Slough Windsor, if only to listen to the reaction of tourists when they first view the castle from the viaduct over the fields of Eton.

 

[frodshamfella]

I like Ashford to Hastings

 

[frodshamfella]

How about to Tattenham Corner, or Catterham ?

 

[telstarbox]

Tramlink from West/East Croydon to New Addington. Still within the Greater London boundary but some of it feels quite rural.

If you want to do another branch on the same trip you can then get bus 314 to Hayes (Kent) and take a train back into Central London.

 

[telstarbox]

How about to Tattenham Corner, or Catterham ?

Another nice suggestion - it's an easy walk from Tattenham to Epsom Downs as well.

 

[A0]

A couple not yet mentioned.

- Hertford East.
- Chingford (which can be done with a Travelcard).
- Watford Met - which potentially will close when / if the Croxley rail link gets completed.

And technically breaking your 'not north of Peterboro' rule, but you could also add Norwich - Cromer / Sheringham - which you can do with Ipswich / Felixstowe using an Anglia Day Ranger.

 

[xotGD]

Slough Windsor, if only to listen to the reaction of tourists when they first view the castle from the viaduct over the fields of Eton.

Swap stations in Windsor, then you can do a second branch line too.