| Lymington branch line | |||
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| Overview | |||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Owner | Network Rail | ||
| Locale | Hampshire South East England | ||
| Termini | |||
| Service | |||
| Type | Suburban rail, Heavy rail | ||
| System | National Rail | ||
| Operator(s) | South Western Railway | ||
| Rolling stock | Class 450 Desiro | ||
| Technical | |||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Operating speed | 50 miles per hour | ||
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Miles measured from London Waterloo
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The Lymington branch line is a railway that runs from Brockenhurst to Lymington in the New Forest, England. The line is around 5.6 miles (9 km) long, and is single track throughout its length. It diverges from the South West Main Line at Lymington Junction. At Lymington Pier, trains connect with Wightlink ferry services to Yarmouth, Isle of Wight. The Lymington branch line is electrified using the 750 V DC third-rail system.
The line was opened as far as Lymington in 1858. The London and South Western Railway bought out the local company in 1879, and in 1884 the LSWR opened a short extension of the line to Lymington Pier. The economy of Lymington had been in decline but the local economy improved in the twentieth century. The line was electrified in 1967. A half-hourly shuttle passenger service operates at present (2023).