Lines with long gaps between traffic

[montyburns56]

The discussion about the first traffic on the Weaste line in many years and the return of a new freight flow to Moorswater has made me wonder what other lines have had such lengthy periods of no traffic? And by this I don't mean railtours/weedkilling trains/Inspections, but proper revenue earning trains. Also I'm not including lines that have been relaid/rebuilt in the interim period.

 

[Harbornite]

I know this doesn't strictly fit the bill, but when the Rosyth branch reopens (if it does, it is currently mothballed) and a freight flow restarted on the line, then that would be a good contender.


I think you can also include the Heathfield branch which reopened for log traffic (which has since moved, I believe), the line to Portbury docks (which was never ripped up after closure in 1981, and will also see a passenger service when Portishead station reopens) and the Tytherington branch which is currently mothballed, but is due to see a new flow of aggregates.

 

[D Foster]

Doesn't the Southern franchise fit the bill now?

 

[LowLevel]

Eccles Road went for years with nothing and now has trains as required into the sidings.

 

[Old Yard Dog]

How about the Greetland and Bradley sections of the Halifax - Huddersfield line, re-opened a few years ago? The Greetland section was used for a few years by a late night Kings Cross - Halifax - Bradford working after the withdrawal of Bradford - Halifax - Huddersfield service in the mid 1960's, but did the Bradley curve see any subsequent traffic? I don't think either line was ever lifted.

 

[Harbornite]

Just thought of another one: the Long Marston branch, which is used fairly regularly but there are no booked freight flows and traffic varies, depending on circumstances. Another one is the branch to Donnington/ Telford railfreight terminal, used by sporadic freights.

 

[dk1]

Eccles Road went for years with nothing and now has trains as required into the sidings.

They seem to be fairly regular. I have twice recently noticed the bright red wagons in the exchange sidings & the rails are often shiny now. Good to see.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Here's another one; the short stretch of track between the Midland Railway Centre at Swanwick and the Erewash Valley route. I'd be amazed if it see's use any more than a dozen times a year.

 

[Firesprite]

The Hamworthy branch in Dorset. No trains for some time, but still open.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Pantyffynon to Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen enjoys one train a week now (I gather) .....

So the line's future hangs on a thread. (once coaling at East Pit stops - curtains I suspect)

 

[MotCO]

To link in with a previous thread, what about the line from HS1 to the 'classic' Waterloo line (now occupied by discarded Eurostars).