Southern Counties Branch Line Steam

Despite their relatively small geographical area, the southern counties possessed a remarkable variety of branch lines ranging from the flat and featureless line to New Romney to the Alton to Winchester link which climbed up to 650ft above sea level, the highest point on a railway in southern England. One of the most picturesque was undoubtedly the Polegate to Eridge 'Cuckoo Line' in East Sussex which boasted some of the prettiest scenery and certainly the most impressive station buildings. The Hayling Island branch had a character all of its own, whilst the Lymington line became famous as the last steam-worked passenger branch line in Great Britain. Historians and modellers alike will enjoy this selection of images that bear testament to the rich variety of routes in Southern England many of which, alas, are no longer part of our National heritage.