Smallbrook Junction railway station
Encyclopedia
Smallbrook Junction railway station is a railway station on the Isle of Wight
, England. It is unusual because it has no public access but exists purely to provide a connection between two rail systems.
Another similar station is Manulla Junction
in County Mayo
, Republic of Ireland
- that however allows interchange between two operation rail routes, rather than between an operational route and a heritage route.
was extended to reach the Island Line
, in order to provide a passenger interchange between the two. It is only served on days that both the Island Line and the Steam Railway are open, as there is no access either by path or by road.
Prior to 1991 there was no station on this site, but it was still an important railway junction. Between 1875 and 1926 there were two separate lines here, independently run by the Isle of Wight Central Railway
and the Isle of Wight Railway
. In 1926, following the island's rail network
passing to the Southern Railway
, a signal box and turnouts were installed at Smallbrook. From then until 1966, the line was the Junction between the Ryde Pier Head to Ventnor and Ryde Pier Head to Newport Lines. The junction has been featured in many photographs from the time.
If the Isle of Wight Steam Railway achieves it's long term aim of extending to Ryde St. Johns Road, it is likely that Smallbrook Junction station would close.
on the Island Line
. Due to the dangerous state of the line, and the damage caused to trains by related flooding at Ryde depot
, Island Line Trains had to suspend their services for several days.
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
, England. It is unusual because it has no public access but exists purely to provide a connection between two rail systems.
Another similar station is Manulla Junction
Manulla Junction
Manulla Junction railway station is a transfer point for passengers on train services in County Mayo, Ireland. Members of the public cannot actually enter or leave the station; it is used only for passengers travelling to or from Foxford or Ballina, who transfer to or from the Dublin-Westport...
in County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
- that however allows interchange between two operation rail routes, rather than between an operational route and a heritage route.
History
The station was opened in 1991 when the Isle of Wight Steam RailwayIsle of Wight Steam Railway
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is a heritage railway on the Isle of Wight. The railway passes through 5½ miles of unspoiled countryside from to station, passing through the small village of Havenstreet, where the line has a station, headquarters and a depot...
was extended to reach the Island Line
Island Line, Isle of Wight
The Island Line is a railway line on the Isle of Wight, running some from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin down the eastern side of the island. The line was electrified in 1967. Trains connect with passenger ferries to Portsmouth Harbour at Ryde Pier Head, and these ferries in turn connect with the...
, in order to provide a passenger interchange between the two. It is only served on days that both the Island Line and the Steam Railway are open, as there is no access either by path or by road.
Prior to 1991 there was no station on this site, but it was still an important railway junction. Between 1875 and 1926 there were two separate lines here, independently run by the Isle of Wight Central Railway
Isle of Wight Central Railway
The Isle of Wight Central Railway was a railway company on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. At its peak the company owned 21½ miles of railway line, and it also operated trains on some additional lines it did not own. Trains were first run on what became its lines in 1862, although the company...
and the Isle of Wight Railway
Isle of Wight Railway
The Isle of Wight Railway was a railway company on the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. The company owned 14 miles of railway line and its headquarters were at Sandown...
. In 1926, following the island's rail network
Railways on the Isle of Wight
There once existed a 55½ mile network of railway lines on the Isle of Wight. They were opened by several companies between 1862 and 1901, and all but the 8½ mile-long Island Line closed between 1952 and 1966. A further 5½ miles have reopened as the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.- Early beginnings...
passing to the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
, a signal box and turnouts were installed at Smallbrook. From then until 1966, the line was the Junction between the Ryde Pier Head to Ventnor and Ryde Pier Head to Newport Lines. The junction has been featured in many photographs from the time.
If the Isle of Wight Steam Railway achieves it's long term aim of extending to Ryde St. Johns Road, it is likely that Smallbrook Junction station would close.
Flooding
In October 2000, flooding near the station washed away much of the track ballastTrack ballast
Track ballast forms the trackbed upon which railway sleepers or railroad ties are laid. It is packed between, below, and around the ties. It is used to facilitate drainage of water, to distribute the load from the railroad ties, and also to keep down vegetation that might interfere with the track...
on the Island Line
Island Line, Isle of Wight
The Island Line is a railway line on the Isle of Wight, running some from Ryde Pier Head to Shanklin down the eastern side of the island. The line was electrified in 1967. Trains connect with passenger ferries to Portsmouth Harbour at Ryde Pier Head, and these ferries in turn connect with the...
. Due to the dangerous state of the line, and the damage caused to trains by related flooding at Ryde depot
Ryde depot
Ryde depot is a railway traction maintenance depot, situated in Ryde, Isle of Wight, to the east of Ryde St John's Road railway station. The depot is operated by Island Line Trains, and is allocated Island Line Trains' fleet of British Rail Class 483s...
, Island Line Trains had to suspend their services for several days.