The Brockenhurst-Lymington branch line runs through the heart of the New Forest and provides a vital link to the Isle of Wight as the train meets the Wightlink ferries at Lymington Pier station. Running for 5.6 miles, it became the last Steam hauled Branch line in the Country then also became the last line to operate Slam Door trains, albeit with a door retention mechanism to comply with being allowed to run on Network rail. In 2005 the line gained 'Heritage' status to allow the Slam Door trains to continue in service and in July 2008 the line celebrated 150 years of operation. Starting at Brockenhurst, we soon diverge away from the mainline at Lymington Jn and onto the Single line. The closed halt at Ampress is passed then the line passes a Level crossing before Lymington Town is reached. The line then passes through the Marina and over the harbour bridge before the line ends at Lymington Pier. In 2003, Bournemouth Depot were tasked with creating a dedicated 3 car Slam Door unit and a 3CEP unit 1199 was created from unit 2326. In 2004 1198 was used created from 2314 and later a 3 CIG unit 1499 was made up from 1394. Finally, the 2 dedicated units for the Heritage operation were formed as 1497 Freshwater (ex 1883) and 1498 Farringford (ex 1888) and these remained in service until withdrawl in 2010 Here is my pictorial tribute to a line over which i have worked literally 1000's of trains
Slam Door Units - Before the Heritage takeover
The Heritage Units - 1497 Freshwater BR Blue and Grey with cast Silver BR Arrows and 1498 Farringford in BR Green with Lion and Wheel Emblem