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A Longmoor Military Railway valedictory

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by domeyhead, Apr 9, 2013.

  1. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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    The modern A3 pushes right through what was once the hub of the LMR - Proceeding towards London after the Greatham/Bordon interchange it is still possible to see many of the old railways workshops and sheds to the right of the road - though nothing at all remains of the track except a tiny symbolic section left as a kind of monument.
    Driving past yesterday I noticed that the old signalling centre building (I think it was classrooms rather than a signal box) adjacent to the road has been demolished. This was an ugly 2 storey brick building, derelict and boarded up for many years and standing to the east of the main site.
    I haven't seen any mention of this anywhere else - it was not a particularly attractive building and of no great historic significance, but I feel its passing should be marked.
    Interesting to reflect that if the LMR was left intact would have been an almost perfect preserved railway with termini, loops and branches providing a variety of interesting journeys thorugh open countryside. At its northern end it would have even provided the ideal basis for a commuter railway from Whitehill to Bordon, Bentley and on to Farnham and Aldershot. At its southern end it also connected to the Portsmouth main line at Liss.
     
  2. marshall5

    marshall5 Well-Known Member

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    Didn't David Shepherd and others have a plan to operate it as a preserved railway which was scuppered by local opposition? Ray.
     
  3. Reading General

    Reading General Part of the furniture

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    yep, local nimby's bought key parts of the site to prevent the preservationists running a steam centre, which would have been very interesting to visit.
     
  4. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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    Re my first post I was trawling t'net and found a picture of the building just demolished.
    If you go to this page
    Nebulous Books
    ...and scroll down to the Nebulous postcards collection the signalling centre can be seen in the background behind loco no. 157. It looks like a council maisonette!
    The other pics show just how extensive the railway was.
     
  5. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    A section of the original road that went through Longmoor can still be found at Liphook it is about three quarters of a mile long with houses and bungelows on one side and the A3 on the other it runs in a straight line until the road ends then beyond a grassy bank is the A3 but you can make out the orignal route beyond.
     
  6. timmydunn

    timmydunn Member

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  7. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    Yes, it was a superb system, and would have been ideal for a preservation project - all necessary workshops etc that would be needed were already there and fully equipped as this was a fully self-contained railway and maintained to Army standards. I travelled over it in July 1969; I remember all travel was free from the main line at Liss up to Longmoor, and for 15/- you could travel on a Blue Saloon special to Oakhanger. It was a superb day out; I didn't realise that it was going to close, otherwise would have taken more photos!

    Definitely one that got away. For those interested in military railways, I recommend a book by Charles Meacher, the title I forget.

    John
     
  8. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    I think the preservation scene in Southern England would be very different if this had been saved (especially in its entirety). I wonder what the Mid-Hants, Bluebell etc would look like today with this as competition.
     
  9. buzby2

    buzby2 Well-Known Member

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  10. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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  11. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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  12. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    There are quite a few instances of preserved lines close to each other; I think that there would have been plenty of room for another player in the prosperous South-East. Anyway, 'twas not to be!

    John
     
  13. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    I totally agree with you the more the merrier i say, I just wonder if it would have happened if the LMR had succeded.
     
  14. Martin Perry

    Martin Perry Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator Friend

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    A sad loss. It would have made a great preserved line. Not sure what effect it would have had on the Mid Hants, originally that was going to be a 'community railway' rather than a heritage line as such if I remember correctly?

    Incidentally the wheel lathe from Longmoor ended up at Ian Riley's works.
     
  15. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Didn't 35028 Clan Line also move to Longmoor after being withdrawn from BR service.

    PS I see Dave Warwick has put a collection of WD601 and WD701

    The Longmoor Pair. WD601 and WD701


    Thanks
     
  16. andrewtoplis

    andrewtoplis Well-Known Member

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    This makes my point though, they would not have had several locos, presumably several carriages, a fair few volunteers and a proportion of their visitors which would all add up to a 'smaller' Bluebell railway than now. I think Longmoor being there at the very early stages of preservation would have made a big difference to how nearby lines have developed. I am sure they would still exist but not be in the shape they are now.
     
  17. nine elms fan

    nine elms fan Part of the furniture

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    Yeh your proberly right but it all comes down to the word if. "If my auntie had balls she would be my uncle".
     
  18. guard_jamie

    guard_jamie Part of the furniture

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  19. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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    Good Spot Jamie - I think a quick question to the seller asking for the origin and proof of ownership might be in order!
     
  20. TB3

    TB3 New Member

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