London and Southampton Railway

v t e London and Southampton Railway
Legend
London Nine Elms Wandsworth Wimbledon Kingston Ditton Marsh Walton Weybridge Woking Common opened 21 May 1838 24 Sep 1838 Farnborough Shapley Heath opened 24 Sep 1838 10 Jun 1839 Basingstoke opened 10 Jun 1839 11 May 1840 Andover Road opened 11 May 1840 10 Jun 1839 Winchester Bishopstoke Northam Road opened 10 Jun 1839 11 May 1840 Southampton

The London and Southampton Railway was an early 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge railway company between London and Southampton, in England. It opened in stages from 1838 to 1840 after a difficult construction period, but was commercially successful.

On preparing to serve Portsmouth, a rival port to Southampton, it changed its name to the London and South Western Railway in June 1839.

Its original termini, at Nine Elms in London and at Southampton Docks, proved inconvenient and the line was extended to better-situated main stations at both ends. The remainder of the original main line continues in use today, as an important part of the national rail network.

This article deals with the construction of the original line up to the time of opening throughout. Subsequent information is in the article London and South Western Railway.