Out of all the lines and stations that closed and later reopened, I wonder what is the record for the one that was shut for the shortest length of time (excluding stations that were simply moved or closed for rebuilding and then reopened)?
I suppose one could include heavy rail lines that closed for conversion to light rail, which in some cases took less than a year (such as the Bury and Altrincham lines), but they don't really count as I was thinking more of lines and stations that were expected to close permanently but were later reopened.
In terms of individual stations, the record is probably Narborough (closed 4th March 1968, reopened 5th January 1970).
For entire lines, if you count lines that reopened as heritage railways at least in part, I would guess that the record would be the Mid Hants Railway (closed as a through route by BR in February 1973, reopened Alresford to Ropley 30th April 1977), closely followed by the West Somerset Railway (closed 1971, reopened 1976) and the Bluebell Railway (closed 1955, reopened 1960).
In terms of lines that are still part of the national rail network, the record is probably the Paisley Canal line, which originally ran through to Kilmacolm and closed on 8th January 1983, reopening as far as Paisley Canal on 27th July 1990 meaning it was closed to regular passenger trains for just seven and a half years.
Talking of the latter, there is a story on the last day of the Kilmacolm line at https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14127719.When_the_axe_fell_in_Kilmacolm/ and a video of the last day of service at
It is noticeable in that video how run down the stations looked (and that only one, Mosspark, had a then standard BR style nameboard with black lettering on white - all the others still had older-style ones with white lettering on light blue). It is also perhaps surprising how few enthusiasts or ordinary passengers were out in force to pay their last respects (I expect there were more on the last train, though). Little did we imagine back then that the line would partially reopen by the turn of the next decade, with a much more frequent service, and that it would one day be electrified.
I suppose one could include heavy rail lines that closed for conversion to light rail, which in some cases took less than a year (such as the Bury and Altrincham lines), but they don't really count as I was thinking more of lines and stations that were expected to close permanently but were later reopened.
In terms of individual stations, the record is probably Narborough (closed 4th March 1968, reopened 5th January 1970).
For entire lines, if you count lines that reopened as heritage railways at least in part, I would guess that the record would be the Mid Hants Railway (closed as a through route by BR in February 1973, reopened Alresford to Ropley 30th April 1977), closely followed by the West Somerset Railway (closed 1971, reopened 1976) and the Bluebell Railway (closed 1955, reopened 1960).
In terms of lines that are still part of the national rail network, the record is probably the Paisley Canal line, which originally ran through to Kilmacolm and closed on 8th January 1983, reopening as far as Paisley Canal on 27th July 1990 meaning it was closed to regular passenger trains for just seven and a half years.
Talking of the latter, there is a story on the last day of the Kilmacolm line at https://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14127719.When_the_axe_fell_in_Kilmacolm/ and a video of the last day of service at
It is noticeable in that video how run down the stations looked (and that only one, Mosspark, had a then standard BR style nameboard with black lettering on white - all the others still had older-style ones with white lettering on light blue). It is also perhaps surprising how few enthusiasts or ordinary passengers were out in force to pay their last respects (I expect there were more on the last train, though). Little did we imagine back then that the line would partially reopen by the turn of the next decade, with a much more frequent service, and that it would one day be electrified.
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