Alton line

Alton line
A South West Trains Class 450 at Bentley station in November 2007
Overview
StatusOperational
OwnerNetwork Rail
LocaleSouth East England
Stations6
Service
TypeBranch line, heavy rail
SystemNational Rail
ServicesRail connection from South West Main Line to Mid Hants Watercress Railway
Operator(s)South Western Railway
Depot(s)Farnham Traincare Depot
Rolling stockClass 450
Class 444
History
Opened1852
Technical
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speed70 mph (110 km/h) maximum line speed
Route map

(Click to expand)

The Alton line is a railway line in Hampshire and Surrey, England, operated by South Western Railway; it is a relatively long branch of the South West Main Line.

The branch leaves the main line at Pirbright Junction to the west of Brookwood station, Surrey, then turns to the south-west. The route crosses and recrosses the Surrey/Hampshire border, serving the towns of Aldershot and Farnham, before reaching its present-day terminus at Alton in East Hampshire. The line originally continued west to Winchester; the section between Alton and New Alresford is preserved as the heritage Watercress line.

The Alton line was electrified (750 V DC third rail) during the late inter-war years by Southern Railway. Freight trains, operated by DB Cargo UK, and steam trains connected to the Mid Hants Watercress Railway (by way of rolling stock supply or special excursion) operate on the line.