Longmoor Military Railway: Difference between revisions
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==Route== |
==Route== |
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Authorised for construction from [[1902]], |
Authorised for construction from [[1902]], activities date from [[1903]] when a 1ft 6in gauge tramway was laid to assist in removing seventy corrugated iron huts from Longmoor Military Camp to Bordon. |
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The railway was relaid to standard gauge in 1905-1907, initially becaming known as the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, but reverted to the Longmoor Military Railway in 1935. The Liss extension was opened in [[1933]], and the branch from Whitehill via Hollywater to Longmoor was completed in 1942. |
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It started operations in [[1907]], and the stations included: |
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The stations and junctions included: |
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*[[Bordon]] |
*[[Bordon]] |
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*Whitehill Junction |
*Whitehill Junction |
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*[[Longmoor Military Camp|Longmoor Camp]] |
*[[Longmoor Military Camp|Longmoor Camp]] - the original terminus |
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*Weaversdown Halt - originally a passing place, a station was constructed which served the eastern side of Longmoor Military Camp |
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*Liss Forest |
*Liss Forest |
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*Liss Junction - with access to the exchange sidings, and onwards into Liss [[British Railways]] goods yard |
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*Liss Junction |
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*Liss - the southern terminus, with a platform adjacent to Liss [[British Railways]] station |
*Liss - the southern terminus, with a platform adjacent to Liss [[British Railways]] station |
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Well over a thousand locomotives had associations with the railway, although many only through the need for storage. |
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==Closure== |
==Closure== |
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Revision as of 12:16, 16 October 2006
The Longmoor Military Railway (LMR) was a British military railway in Hampshire, built by the Royal Engineers from 1903 in order to train soldiers on railway construction and operations.
Route
Authorised for construction from 1902, activities date from 1903 when a 1ft 6in gauge tramway was laid to assist in removing seventy corrugated iron huts from Longmoor Military Camp to Bordon.
The railway was relaid to standard gauge in 1905-1907, initially becaming known as the Woolmer Instructional Military Railway, but reverted to the Longmoor Military Railway in 1935. The Liss extension was opened in 1933, and the branch from Whitehill via Hollywater to Longmoor was completed in 1942.
The stations and junctions included:
- Bordon
- Whitehill Junction
- Longmoor Camp - the original terminus
- Weaversdown Halt - originally a passing place, a station was constructed which served the eastern side of Longmoor Military Camp
- Liss Forest
- Liss Junction - with access to the exchange sidings, and onwards into Liss British Railways goods yard
- Liss - the southern terminus, with a platform adjacent to Liss British Railways station
Well over a thousand locomotives had associations with the railway, although many only through the need for storage.
Closure
In light of the reducing role of the military and the severly reduced British Empire, it was decided by the Ministry of Defence to close the railway. On hearing of its impending closure local locomotive preservation groups became interested in acquiring the small but complete rail system, and a bid was placed to purchase LMR along with the airstrip at Gypsy Hollow which would have enabled the production of a unique transport museum. The MOD rejected this proposal, which had been backed by the Association of Railway Preservation Societies and The Transport Trust. However the Army did offer the last 1½ miles of line from Liss Forest Road to Liss. The offer was accepted, a provisional lease was drawn up and planning permission was sought for developments at Liss [1]
Unfortunately the people of Liss did not share this enthusiasm and opposed the planning permission. Several residents raised £9,100 in a successful bid to buy this last piece of line. Longmoor Military Railway closed down on 31 October, 1969.
WD Austerity 2-10-0 LMR 600 Gordon has been preserved, as has Austerity 0-6-0ST 118 Brussels.
References
External links
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