Branch Line Britain - celebrating Britain's minor railways

Western

Aberdare railway station

Abercynon to Aberdare

Name of Line: The Merthyr Line (Aberdare Branch),  (part of the Valley Lines)

Length of Line: 

Stations: Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill, Cwmbach, Aberdare 

Train operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description:

History:

Journey review - coming soon


Barry Island railway station


Barry to Barry Island

Name of Line: The Vale of Glamorgan Line  (part of)

Length of Line:  3/4 mile

Stations: Barry, Barry Island

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Trains run from: Aberdae, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff

Description: The shortest branch line in Wales runs south east from Barry station.

History

Journey review

Websites: Barry Tourist Railway   Barry Island Scrapyard


Cheltenham train ready to depart from Maesteg railway station 22/8/09

 

Bridgend to Maesteg

Name of Line: The Maesteg Line

Stations: Bridgend, Wildmill, Sarn, Tondu, Garth, Maesteg Ewenny Road, Maesteg

Length of Line: 8 1/4 miles

Train Operating company: Arriva Trains Wales 

Description: This branch line runs north from Bridgend to Maesteg almost ten miles away.  

History: Originally opened in the 1860's, the line was closed in 1970. After a long campaign the line was reopened to passngers in 1992.

Journey review


Severn Beach railway station

Bristol to Severn Beach

Name of Line: The Severn Beach Line

length of Line: 13 1/2 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Bristol Stapleton Road, Montpellier, Redland, Clifton Down, Sea Mills, Shirehampton, Avonmouth, St Andrews Road, Severn Beach

Description:

History:

Journey review - coming soon

Websites: The Severn Beach Line  Severnside Community Rail Partnership  Photo link


Ebbw Vale Parkway Railway Station looking south

Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town

Name of Line: The Ebbw Valley Line

Length of Line: 28 miles

Stations: Cardiff Central, Rogerstone, Risca & Pontymister, Cross Keys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth, Ebbw Vale Parkway, Ebbw Vale Town 

Train operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description: The newest passenger line in Wales, opened in February 2008 on a former freight line from the South Wales mainline to the edge of Ebbw Vale.

History: The line had originally opened in 1850, but passenger services ceased in April 1962. In May 2015 the line was extended north to reach Ebbw Vale Town.

Journey review


Treherbert railway station looking north

Cardiff Central to Treherbert

Name of Line: The Rhondda Line (part of the Valley Lines)

Length of Line: 

Stations: Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Trehafod, Porth, Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Ystrad Rhondda, Ton Pentre, Treorchy, Ynyswen, Treherbert

Train operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description:

History:

Journey review - coming soon


Cardiff Bay train entering the branch

 

Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay

Name of Line: The Butetown Branch Line  The Cardiff Bay Line

Length of Line: 1 mile

Stations: Cardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Bay

Frequency of Trains: Every 15 minutes

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description: This short branch line connects the redeveloped docks area of Cardiff Bay with the town centre.

History: Originally opened by the Taff Vale railway in 1840,  the terminus station was first called "Cardiff Docks", then "Bute Road" in 1924 (under the GWR) and fimally "Cardiff Bay" in 1994.

Journey review

Trivia: The line uses a Class 121 "Bubble Car" DMU.


Coryton railway station 29/7/10
 

Cardiff Queen Street to Coryton

Name of Line: The Coryton Line

Length of Line:  4 3/4 miles

Stations: Cardiff Queen Street, Heath Low Level, Ty Glas, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina, Whitchurch, Coryton

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Trains start at: Cardiff Queen Street, Radyr 

Description

History

Journey review


Rhymney railway station looking south

Cardiff Queen Street to Rhymney

Name of Line: The Ryhmney Line (part of the Valleys Lines)

Length of Line: 

Stations: Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane & Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Lanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Gilfach Fargoed, Bargoed, Brithdir, Tir-phil, Pontlottyn, Rhymney

Frequency of Trains: Every hour

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description: This branch line connects Rhymney with Penart south of Cardiff.

History:

Journey review - coming soon


19.01 train for Melksham at Chippenham Railway station 9/9/11

Chippenham to Trowbridge

Name of Line: The Trans Wilts Line

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway  

Traction used:

Stations:Chippenham  Melksham  Trowbridge

Description: This single track line goes south west from Chippenham to Trowbridge on the Bristol to London Paddington mainline. It has just two trains in each direction per day at present.

History: 

Journey review

Websites: Save the train


Milford Haven railway station 27/7/10
 

Clarbeston Road to Milford Haven

Name of Line: The West Wales Line (Milford Haven Branch)

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Station: Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest, Johnston, Milford Haven

Description: The line leaves the main line at Clarbeston Road and goes south westwards through the prembrokeshire countryside 

History

Journey review


Swansea railway station

Craven Arms to Llanelli/Swansea

Name of Line: The Heart of Wales Line

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Traction used:

Stations: Craven Arms, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell, Knighton, Knucklas, Llangynllo, Llanbister Road, Dolau, Pen-y-Bont, Llandrindod, Builth Road, Cilmeri, Garth, Llangammarch, Llanwrtyd, Sugar Loaf, Cynghordy, Llandovery, Llanwrda, Llangadog, Llandeilo, Ffairfach, Llandybie, Ammanford, Pantyffynnon, Pontarddulais, Llangennech, Bynea, Llanelli, Gowertown, Swansea

Description: The line starts off at Shrewsbury and passes through the Welsh Marches and into mid-Wales. It then moves south westwards through the mountains and emerges at Llanelli, where it reverses and goes east to Swansea and ultimately to Cardiff.  

History:

Journey review

Websites: Heart of Wales Line


Barnstaple railway station 15/4/10
 

Exeter to Barnstaple

Name of Line: The Tarka Line

Length of Line: 40 Miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Exeter St Davids, Newton St Cyres, Crediton, Copplestone, Morchard Road, Lapford, Eggesford, King's Nympton, Portsmouth Arms, Umberleigh, Chapelton, Barnstaple

Description - A long branch line of almost forty miles which goes northwards from Exeter to the North Devon town of Barnstaple, running along the valley of the rivers Creedy, Yeo and Taw  for much of its journey.

History

Journey review


Exmouth Railway Station
 

Exeter to Exmouth

Name of Line: The Avocet Line

Length of Line: 11 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Exeter CentralSt James Park, Polsoe Bridge, Digby & Sowton, Topsham, Exton, Lympstone Commando, Lympstone Village, Exmouth

Description: This pleasant branch line goes south from Exeter running next to the estuary of the river Exe to terminate at the seadie resort of Exmouth.

History

Journey review

Photo link


Exeter St Davids railway station - Augsut 2007
 

Exeter to Okehampton

Name of Line:

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: St James Park, Exeter Central, Exeter St Davids, Newton St Cyres, Crediton, Yeoford, Samford Courtenay, Okehampton, Meldon Quarry

Description: The line follows the Tarka Line as far as Coleford Junction where it branches off on the usually freight only line to Meldon Quarry. It passes through Sampford Courteney station as it climbs up onto Dartmoor and then stops at Okehampton.  This has been a sundays only service in the summer sponsored by Devon County Council. The Dartmoor Railway has run steam trains from Okehampton to Meldon Quarry until 2008.  

History

Journey review

Website Links: Friends of Dartmoor Railway


Penarth railway station
 

Grangetown to Penarth

Name of Line: The Vale of Glamorgan Line (Penarth Branch)

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Stations: Grangetown, Dingle Road, Penarth

Description: A short commuter branch which goes to teh commuter coastal town of Penarth south west of Cardiff 

History

Journey review


Gunnislake Railway Station - August 2007
 

Keyham to Gunnislake

Name of Line: The Tamar Valley Line 

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway 

Stations: Keyham, St Budeaux Victoria Road, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock, Gunnislake

Trains start from: Plymouth 

Description: This line moves north from Plymouth and follows the picturesque Tamar valley up into the hils of Dartmoor, crossing from Devon into Cornwall.

History

Journey review


Liskeard Railway Station - Looe train
 

Liskeard to Looe

Name of Line: The Looe Valley Line 

Stations: Liskeard, Coombe, St.Keyne, Causeland, Sandplace, Looe

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway 

History: This line started as a mineral railway from Moorswater, just north of Liskeard and ran under the Penzance main line to Looe. It was joined to the main line at Liskeard in 1909.

Description: This beautiful Cornish branch line moves south from Liskeard and runs parallel to the river Looe all the way to the port of Looe. 

Journey review

Trivia: The train leaving Liskeard goes north then east before going under the main line to Coombe Halt where the train reverses and heads south to Looe. The GWR had plans to build a direct line from St Germans to Looe in the 1930's but they did not come to fruition.

Website


Maidstone railway station looking west - Marlow train on right

Maidenhead to Marlow

Name of Line: The Marlow Branch

Length of Line: 7 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Maidenhead, Furze Platt, Cookham, Bourne End, Marlow

Description: This branch line goes north from Maidenhead to Bourne End, where it then goes along the side of the river Thames to Marlow.

History: Originally the line went from Maidenhead through to High Wycombe, with the branch to Marlow starting at Bourne End. The line from Bourne End to High Wycombe closed in the 1960's, so now the train reverses at Bourne End.

Journey review

Website link:  Marlow to Maidenhead Passengers' Association


Paignton Station

Newton Abbot to Paignton

Name of Line: The Riviera Line

Length of Line: 8 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Newton Abbot, Torre, Torquay, Paignton

History: The Dartmouth and Torquay was formed in the 1850's and in August 1859 the first passenger trains began to travel through Torquay to Paignton. The line from Paignton via Goodrington Sands to Kinsgswear was closed by British Rail in 1972 but was reopened as the Dart Valley Light Railway a few months later.

Description: A short but interesting branch line which goes downhill for most of the way from Newton Abbot to the Torbay area, passing along the coast in places. 

Journey review

Links: The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway 

Trivia: Over 16,000 passengers arrived at Torquay/Paignton stations on Saturday 10th August 1957 - the equivalent of over 25 trains!


Newquay Railway Station - August 2007

Par to Newquay  

Name of Line: The Atlantic Coast Line

Length of Line: 20 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: ParLuxulyan, Bugle, Roche, St Columb Road, Quintrel Downs, Newquay

History: In June 1876 a line was opened from Fowey via Par to Newquay by the Cornish Minerals Railway. It was taken over on 1st July 1896 by the Great Western Railway.

Description: This Cornish branch line goes west from Par on the Cornish mainline through China Clay country to the Atlantic coast at Newquay. 

Journey review

Trivia: Due to several speed restrictions this line is the slowest journey by railway in Britain, taking almost an hour to travel the 20 miles of track!


Merthyr Tydfil railway station

Pontypridd to Merthyr Tydfil

Name of Line: The Merthyr Line (Merthyr Branch),  (part of the Valley Lines)

Length of Line: 

Stations: Pontypridd, Abercynon, Quaker's Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw, Pentre-bach, Merthyr Tydfil

Train operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Description:

History:

Journey review - coming soon

Trivia: Merthyr Vale station was featured in the 1971 film 10 Rillington Place


Windsor & Eton Central Railway Station
 

Slough to Windsor & Eton Central

Name of Line:

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Slough, Windsor & Eton Central

Description: This short branch line of just a couple of miles moves south from Slough over a few fields before it reaches the historic town of Windsor.

History

Journey review


St Ives train arriving at St Erth railway station

St Erth to St Ives 

Name of Line: The St Ives Bay Line

Length: 4 1/4 miles long

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: St Erth, Lelant Saltings, Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives

History: The line was first opened in June 1877 by the West Cornish Railway, carrying both goods and passengers as soon as it opened. It was the last line in Cornwall to be built as a broad gauge railway and helped turn St Ives from a small fishing village into a popular seaside resort. In the 1960's it was due to be closed under the Beeching cuts, but was given a reprieve by the then transport minister, Barbara Castle. It is now the busiest branch line in Cornwall.

Description: Sometimes called "the branch line with the most stunning views in the whole of England", this branch line is a must for anyone who enjoys travelling on branch lines. It starts at St Erth on the Cornish mainline and travels alongside the estuary of the River Hayle before reaching the Atlantic Ocean, passing several breathtaking beaches as it clings to the cliffside before arriving at St Ives.

Journey review

Trivia: In 1978 Lelant Saltings station became the first station to have "Park and Ride" facilities to ease parking congestion in St Ives.

Links:  Rail Ale trail   St Ives 1  St Ives 2


Falmouth Docks railway station

Truro to Falmouth Docks   

Name of Line: The Maritime Line

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway 

Stations: Truro, Perranwell, Penryn, Penmere, Falmouth Town, Falmouth Docks

Description: This Cornish branch line moves south from the cathedral city of Truro, passing over several viaducts and through some tunnels before it emerges at the port of Falmouth on the coast.

History: Falmouth was originally the mail port for the West Indies, but lost trade to Southampton, which was nearer to London and other parts of the country. So a railway was proposed to make the port more important again. However in 1846 when the navvies first began work there were riots against the railway! It was eventually finished in 1863. The eight viaducts along the line were originally built with timber. These were not changed to metal until 1934. 

Journey review


West Ealing Railway Station - Greenford train leaving


West Ealing to Greenford

Name of Line: The Greenford Branch

Length of Line: 3 miles

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: West Ealing, Drayton Green, Castle Bar Park, South Greenford, Greenford

Description: This is the first branch line to leave the Western Mainline out of Paddington, passing through buiit up areas to join the old GWR mainline and Central Line at Greenford.

History

Journey review


Henley train at Twyford railway station

Twyford to Henley-on-Thames

Name of Line:

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Great Western Railway

Stations: Twyford, Wargrave, Shiplake, Henley-on-Thames

Description - This branch line travels north from the Western main line at Twyford and reaches the River Thames at Henley-on-Thames.

History

Journey review

Website Link:  Photo link

henley 4.jpg     Twyford 4.jpg

Henley-on-Thames station                              Twyford station sign


Pembroke Dock railway station

 

Whitland to Pembroke Dock

Name of Line: West Wales Line (Pembroke Dock Branch)

Length of Line:

Train Operating Company: Arriva Trains Wales

Stations: Whitland, Narberth, Kilgetty, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Penally, Manorbier, Lamphey, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock

Description: A picturesque line in South West Wales, which twists and turns on its route south westwards to the Pembrokeshire Coast.

History

Journey review