There are several particularly interesting railways in England with regular or seasonal passenger traffic. In the article, I briefly described the most interesting railway lines in England, which will be of particular interest to railway enthusiasts.
Hythe Pier Railway – the longest continuously operating electric pier railway in the world. Built in 1909, electrified in 1922. The length is 640 meters from the pier to the shore. The line was built for ferry passengers from Southampton. The rolling stock consists of two locomotives manufactured in 1917 with wagons. The line was rescued from closure at the end of December 2022, but its future is uncertain.
London – Brighton line – an 81.5-kilometer line opened in 1841. Along the line there are some of the most interesting railway engineering structures in Great Britain, including the Clayton Tunnel, built in 1839-1841. Once a year at sunrise the sun shines into the tunnel at a right angle. The tunnel has a beautiful portal. In 1861 one of the biggest railway disasters in British history occured in the tunnel. Trains from London to Brighton also passes through the Ouse Valley Viaduct – one of the most beautiful railway viaducts in Great Britain, and in Brighton through the London Road Viaduct.
Ribble Steam Railway – a heritage railway running on selected days on a former industrial line serving the inland port of Preston. An active 2.4 km long section of the former line remains. It is one of the few lines in the world that runs on the streets in the city center. The vintage trains running along the main street are a popular tourist attraction.
Ribble Steam Railway – official website
Riviera Line – a non-electrified standard gauge line from Exeter to Paignton with regular passenger traffic, used mainly by passengers traveling between popular seaside resorts. Part of the route runs by the sea, just under the cliffs. The most famous spot is at Dawlish, where high waves sometimes break the seawall and wash over the line and passing trains. The most picturesque section is Starcross – Teignmouth.
Southend Pier Railway – 914 mm gauge pier railway to Southend-on-Sea Pier. Opened on May 28, 1890, the two-kilometer-long railway line runs along the pier. Initially, the route was served by a horse tram. In the years 1978-1986 closed, regauged to 914 mm. New trains run on the route from September 2021.
Volks Electric Railway – a narrow gauge heritage railway in Brighton. The line was put into operation in 1883 and is the oldest operating electric railway in the world. The mile-long line (1.6 km) connects the pier with the marina and runs along the coast. Vintage cars run from March 31 to the end of September.
Volks Electric Railway – official website
Related atrticles:
Train travel in Great Britain
The best heritage railways in England
The best narrow gauge railways in England
The best scenic railways in England
