SNAPE MALTINGS BRANCH
Built for: East Suffolk Railway Company Terminus: Snape Bridge Maltings Main line connection: Snape Junction (Ipswich-beccles main line) Opened: June 1 1859 Length of line: 1¼ miles Intermediate stations: N/A Closed: March 7 1960 Key locomotives you’ll need? LNER ‘J15’ 0‑6‑0 Why’s Snape Maltings special? The Snape branch in Suffolk has all the classic ingredients of a wonderful model railway. It was built to serve the maltings, and trains entered this huge complex, where grain is turned to malt - and then into whisky or beer - under an arch in its front wall. There were offices either side, a clock on the wall’s face and a bell tower above the perfect frame for a short train. The line was built with passengers in mind and there was a small station with a platform and a goods shed - but no passengers were ever carried. What’s left? The station building still survives, as does part of the goods shed, while the rest of the site is a car park. The maltings have been converted into shops and restaurants. Where can I find out more? Branch Lines to Felixstowe & Aldeburgh by Richard Adderson & Graham Kenworthy (Middleton Press).