Freight only lines can be great places to see quality modern traction such as class 66s and 37s, without having to worry about getting bowled by passenger services. There are quite a few freight only lines around the UK.
As freight only branches and freight only lines are away from the passenger lines, these freight lines tend to be off the beaten track or some distance away from the nearest station. Some lines are in open public spaces such as the Dudding Hill line, while others can be found in the middle of nowhere, for example, the Mendip quarries.
On this page, you’ll be able to read our trip reports and see photos from good vantage points at lots of different freight lines on the GB rail network.
Southampton Eastern Docks Freight Only Branch Line The Southampton Eastern Docks branch is a freight only line in Southampton. From St Denys, the 4 lines split in to 2 adjacent to Northam Train Depot that go to Southampton Central station, and 2 that continue south. 2 sidings next to the football stadium are used to …
Freight Trains at Dudding Hill Junction Dudding Hill Junction is on the Dudding Hill Line between Acton and Cricklewood, which is used only by freight trains. Trains run from the Midland Mainline to Cricklewood where southbound trains turn off at Brent Curve Junction, and northbound trains turn off at Cricklewood Curve Junction. From the other …
Ardingly Freight Only Branch Line Ardingly is a freight only branch line to the north of Haywards Heath. The Ardingly branch once ran from Haywards Health to Horsted Keynes – now part of the Bluebell Railway heritage line. Today, Ardingly is served several times a week by Freightliner Mendip trains where aggregates from the Mendip …
