Railways of Southampton

The speaker at our October meeting was Gordon Adams on the subject of the railways of Southampton.  The London & Southampton Railway obtained its Act of Parliament in 1834 Trains began running between Winchester and Northam in 1839 with Southampton Terminus being reached in 1840. The next major development was the construction of the Southampton & Dorchester Railway which branched west at Northam. A station was provided at Blechynden, later known as Southampton West, nearer to Southampton Tunnel than the present Southampton Central which located to its current site in 1895. The direct curve between Northam Junction and Tunnel Junction was not opened until 1858.

An eastwards extension of the railway from Southampton to Netley was opened in 1866, branching off the line to London at St Denys, the target destination being the military hospital. The line was extended to Fareham, which already had a link to Portsmouth, in 1889.

The Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway had to abandon plans for an independent line to Southampton due to financial constraints, and a junction was made with the LSWR line at Shawford. However, signs of its intentions can be found with the name Didcot Road in Southampton.

The London & South Western Railway purchased Southampton Docks in 1892 and continued to develop the port in the late 1800s and the 20th century with the New (Western Docks) being opened in 1934.

Having given an account of the history of the city centre stations, Gordon then looked at the suburban stations within Southampton’s city boundaries from Redbridge in the west, Swaythling in the north, and Sholing in the east. Finally, reference was made to the little-known flying boat terminal at Berth 50 which had its own railway platform.

Our thanks to Gordon for an informative evening.