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150 Years of the Lymington Branch

On Saturday 12th July and local communities held a special event not only to celebrate 150 years of the Lymington Branch but also the formal launch of the Lymington-Brockenhurst Community Rail Partnership. Between 2pm and 5pm there were entertainments, charitable fund raising activities, a raffle for "Golden Tickets" and refreshments in the vicinity of Lymington Town station. Between 2pm and 5pm there was a special fare of 20p between Lymington and Brockenhurst stations (reflecting but not matching the 1s 6d first class fare when the line opened). At 3pm Stewart Palmer, Managing Director of unveiled a plaque to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the line. For the day for traction fans, 1498, the green 3 Cig, ran with "thunderbird" EDL 73109 on the London end.

73109 and 1498 on the outskirts of Brockenhurst
Above: 73109 and 1498 traversing pleasant countryside on the outskirts of Brockenhurst.

photograph by "B.R. Brock"

Stalls outside of Lymington Town station Stalls outside of Lymington Town station

photograph by Colin Scott-Morton
Crowds on the platform at Lymington Town Crowds on the platform at Lymington Town

photograph by Colin Scott-Morton
73109 leads 1498 across the harbout at Lymington with the 15:14 departure from Lymington Pier The 15:14 departure from Lymington Pier across the harbour.

photograph by Robert Armstrong
73109 leading 1498 into Brockenhurst Station with the 10:44 from Lymington Pier Carrying the ubiquitous Lymington Flyer headboard - what a good investment that was! -73109 leads 1498 into Brockenhurst station with the 10:44 off Lymington Pier.

photograph by Robert Armstrong