A Longmoor Military Railway valedictory

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

A detailed route map of this extraordinary system and some further details here

Longmoor Military Railway - RailUK Forums

 

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

 

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.

 

Possibly Steam Sapper? [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STEAM-SAPPER-CHARLES-MEACHER-1st-EDITION-/310605878576]

 

Yes, that rings a bell. Out of interest, no longer on e-bay. Abe books have one for £22.50; I think I paid about £4 at Keighley and Worth Valley shop beginning of March just for something to read on my train journey home!

John

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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

 

Am I putting two and two together and making five...? The signalling training school is demolished and this appears on ebay...on the signal box forum, it has been suggested that it is of LMR origin due to the shade of green...

1920s /30s Signal Box Track diagram -double sided sign-Yard Sidings A,B,C and D | eBay

 

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

 

Thanks for tipping me off to this books existence - I've got a great interest with the LMR and any accounts of its operation are always welcomed.