The Railway Magazine

Readers’ Platform

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Fawley revival

I WAS intrigued to read in the February issue (page 49, from the archives) that in February 1922 a Light Railway Order had been confirmed to construct a line from Totton to Fawley in Hampshire.

The last passenger service ran in 1966, and the last train to Fawley oil refinery itself in 2016, but occasional trains to the military port in Marchwood still run.

Trial trains were run in 2021 by South Western Railway and the line, to be known as the Waterside Line, was identified by the Campaign for Better Transport as a priority.

Traffic in the area is heavy, both from refinery traffic and leisure and business cars to and from the New Forest National Park and Southampto­n.

It would be good to think that the ideas of 1922 could be reinvigora­ted in 2022 and a train service restarted.

After the success of the Okehampton line, the Waterside line could be reopened with less expense as much of the railway is still usable.

Mike Bechley

By email

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