The Shortest Branch Line

[@repairworld2367]

When I was a kid in Stourbridge in the early 60's the train from Stourbridge town used to go across the road where the bus station is now and down to a goods depot at the bottom of Lower High Street where the gasworks used to be. It was a two line if I remember right. From the goods depot it used to go across the road at a level crossing and follow the canal right down to Stourbridge rolling mills where it would terminate.

[@tracksideshorts2361]

Yes I've seen some photos of that. All completely changed now with the ring road!

[@Andrewjg_89]

I still would like to take a ride on the Stourbridge branch line. The Class 139 are tiny but very popular on the Stourbridge Town branch line.

[@tracksideshorts2361]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/laHHm6xtm7CobaM

[@pipandkitty2004]

Thanks for sharing this with us….. it shows what can be achieved I hope for pity sake they keep it going and not close it

[@tracksideshorts2361]

ah well who knows with the latest news. It is very well used, but I think high maintenance.

[@DakarNick]

I didn't see any milepost markers. How is the operator to know his location? 😂

[@nails6365]

The Lavender Line at Isfield is a 1 mile of preserved track. does that count?

[@tracksideshorts2361]

Haha - depends on your definition. I love the Lavender Line. In the annuls of preserved lines, it is like a sleepy branch line, so different from the Bluebell (which I also love). They are so welcoming too.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Certainly the shortest passenger branch but there may be shorter freight lines?

[@tracksideshorts2361]

Yes interesting. There is a question of definition I think. Is a freight line more akin to a siding?

[@jamielee9350]

@@tracksideshorts2361 A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line, branch line, or spur.

[@sr6424]

Newhaven Harbour to Newhaven Maine was shorter but closed a few years ago!

[@ianlitchfield9273]

Surely its not a train as its only one carriage so it must be a locomotive ? Just saying.

[@tracksideshorts2361]

haha, yes fair point ... a railcar?

[@therealmasonicbwe]

I thought Wrexham General to Wrexham Central is the shortest branch line? The distance is 0.44 Miles (for Wrexham General - Central) whilst Stourbridge Town - Stourbridge Junction is 0.7 Miles?

[@SB-km6fp]

That's actually part of the Borderlands Line

[@therealmasonicbwe]

@@SB-km6fp ohh ok

[@tracksideshorts2361]

@@SB-km6fp thank you, didn't know that

[@kevinmottram9491]

Yay, third....

[@bazza945]

Yay, first....