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The Brockenhurst to Lymington Pier line is only 5m 29ch long and is operated by a single South Western Railways unit as a shuttle service. My initial intention was to just do the line there and back and head off somewhere else. When I released that I would need to make a food stop I decided to stop at Lymington Town and eat.
There used to be three stations on the line but Ampress Works Halt was closed in 1989 which only left Lymington Town and Lymington Pier. I can assure you that the Pier station is just a single platform that appears to accommodate 8 vehicles with very little else on the station. A ticket machine, small shelter and access to the Wightlink Ferry over to the Isle of Wight.
Back to Town station (just 0m 38ch from Pier station).
The station is a rather compact station and can only accommodate a four vehicle unit. The single platform is a little narrow in places. From the car park side the station is what you would call a normal rural old station. The current station building was built in 1860 and replaced a temporary one that had been there since 1858.
Platform side of the station is quite different. There is a small covered area outside the platform facing door painted in a Southern Railway green and constructed of wood. The station name signs are replica BR Totem boards (the same at Lymington Pier station) rather than then new SWR corporate ones used elsewhere the railway network.
It is inside the station that is the difference.
From the car park side; the station entry is next to the ticket machine (although when the ticket office is closed there is a side entrance). Once inside it seems small but the ticket window is on your right. On either side of the window the are things of interest. To the right is a local notice board for events. To the right of the window is a leaflet rack. Not the usual things but a plethora of Heritage lines timetables and information leaflets from all over the country. What an absolutely brilliant. As I was looking at (and getting some for myself) the gentleman on duty and I had a quick chat. He was clearly proud of his station and reminded me to go and look in the waiting rooms. I was going when I returned to the station post food consumption. A note here that the Wetherspoons is only a 12 minute walk from the station (partially uphill so allow a little longer especially on a Saturday market day) and it is a nice one.
Upon my return from a late breakfast, I went in to the waiting rooms as I had promised to do, and I am so glad I did.
The first part of the rooms had an old parcels weighing machine in green. Around the room are other local leaflets and SWR information. Around the walls are some current and older posters. One rooms had some old photos in boards and access to the toilets.
on the other side of the central waiting room is the most wonderful room. Again compact but it has such a lot of interesting things.
Old milk churns showing that the station handled goods as well as passengers. A stack of luggage on an old porters sack barrow. The seating is covered in padded seats and a nice moquette. Around the walls are posterboards with lots of local historical information about the line and the stations. Including a small booklet about the Solent Tunnel Scheme which is something I have not heard of until now. I quick search found the page linked. I wonder if there is more information on the scheme and if there are any of the more of the booklets around to buy still (even a replica).
There is a toilet at the station but only accessible when the ticket office is open.
Outside on the platform there is a limited view over the bridge that carries the railway over the Lymington River. There does appear to be a better view of the bridge from the end of Quay Street. It wasn't the best weather when I went at the end of November 2024 but I suspect that when the sun is out and it's warm that that view with a train passing over will be quite a lovely photograph.
