List of closed railway lines in the United Kingdom explained

This list is for railway lines across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which are now abandoned, closed, dismantled or disused. Within the United Kingdom, examples exist of opened railways which formerly constituted cross-country main trunk lines as well as many more which served more local, or exclusively industrial, needs.

Some of the included lines have re-opened, in part or in full, following a period of closure. Such reopenings have taken the form of independent preserved heritage railways, and of expansions to state-backed National Rail and local rapid transit/light rail networks. Many more of these lines have converted to cycleways, footpaths or highways.

England

Name of lineBuilder(s)Route (from/to)Closure dateNotes
Abbotsbury RailwayAbbotsbury to Upwey29 November 1952
Alcester–Hatton branch lineGreat Western RailwayAlcester to Hatton,
via Great Alne
(to passengers)
1951 (to all traffic)
Aldeburgh branch lineGreat Eastern Railway (LNER)Saxmundham to Aldeburgh via
Leiston and Thorpeness
Part of the branch still open (freight only)
Aldridge–Brownhills branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Aldridge to Chasewater,
via Brownhills
(to passengers)
1962 (to all traffic)
Part of the Line, (north of Brownhills) now preserved as the Chasewater Railway.
Allhallows-on-Sea to Stoke JunctionSRStoke Junction to AllhallowsSouthern branch off the Hoo branch line (off the
North Kent Line) (opened 14 May 1932)
Alnmouth–Alnwick branch lineYork, Newcastle and Berwick Railway YN&BR<br>(LNER) to (to all traffic)Most of the former branch now being restored from a resited Alnwick terminus, as the Aln Valley Railway.
Ambergate–Pye Bridge lineMidland Railway (LMS)Pye Bridge to Ambergate, (via Butterley)A 3 Mile section of the line, now preserved forming the Midland Railway – Butterley.
Amesbury and Military Camp Light RailwayLSWRGrately to Bulford Camp1963
Ardsley to Laisterdyke lineGreat Northern Railway (LNER)Laisterdyke to Ardsley,
via Dudley Hill and Morley
(to passengers)
13 March 1968 (to freight)
1981 (to all traffic)
Opened by the Leeds, Bradford & Halifax Joint Rly
before taken over by the GNR in 1865
Ashbourne lineLondon & North Western Railway (LMS) Uttoxeter and Ashbourne to Buxton line 30 October 1954 (to regular passenger traffic)
October 1967 (to freight traffic).
Most of the line now survives as a walk/cycle path called the Tissington Trail
Ashover Light RailwayClay Cross CompanyClay Cross to Ashover14 September 1936 (to passengers)31 March 1950 (to all traffic)
Axholme Joint RailwayGoole to Haxey15 July 1933 (to passengers)5 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Axminster-Lyme Regis branch lineLondon and South Western Railway (Southern Railway)Axminster to Lyme Regis via Combpyne (to all traffic)
Bacup branch lineLancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LMS)Stubbins Junction to Bacup, via Rawtenstall, Clough Fold and Stacksteads (to regular traffic)
1972 (to all traffic)
Part of the former branch (through Stubbins Junction to Rawtenstall, via Irwell Vale), now preserved as part of the East Lancashire Railway.
Banbury and Cheltenham Direct RailwayGreat Western RailwayCheltenham to Banbury  
Banbury to Verney Junction branch lineBuckinghamshire Railway (GWR)Banbury to Verney Junction (Where it joined the Varsity Line)Freight services lasted until June 1966
Bank Top Colliery LineNorth Staffordshire Railway (LMS)Blythe Bridge to Bank TopPortion of the Line, now preserved as the
Foxfield Railway.
Mostly a Colliery Line, throughout its heyday.
Barnard Castle to Middleton-in-Teesdale branch lineTees Valley Railway (LNER) to (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Barnsley Coal RailwayStairfoot Junction to Nostell1930 (to passengers)1961 (to all traffic)
Basingstoke and Alton Light RailwayLondon and South Western Railway (SR)Basingstoke to Alton (to passengers)
19?? (to freight)
Batley-Beeston LineGreat Northern Railway (LNER)Beeston Junction to Batley, via
Tingley and Woodkirk
(to passengers)
1964 (to all traffic)
Some parts of the Line still exist... Tingley Viaduct (still stands), as do both Tingley and Woodkirk train station sites (both of whom long overgrown), and Soothill Tunnel.
Tingley railway station, was also A Junction station on both the Loop Line, and the Ardsley to Laisterdyke line.
Bawtry to Haxey railway lineGNRBawtry to Haxey1 April 1965
Bedford–Hitchin lineMidland RailwayBedford to Hitchin30 Dec 1961 (to passengers)1964 (to freight)
Bedford–Northampton lineMidland Railway (LMS)Bedford to Northampton (to passengers)
1981 (to all traffic)
Benwick Goods RailwayGreat Eastern Railway (LNER) (to all traffic)
Bexhill West branch lineSERCrowhurst to Bexhill West15 June 1964
Billingham-on-Tees to Port Clarence branch lineClarence Railway/
NER (LNER)
to /Seal Sands Power Station, via and (to passengers, east of Haverton Hill)
(to regular passengers, west of Haverton Hill)
(to all passengers)
(to goods)
The line remains open to freight traffic from the chemical and biochemical processing plant cluster around Haverton Hill and Seal Sands
Birkenhead Dock BranchLMSRock Ferry to Bidston Dock, via Mollington Street and Canning Street16 February 1985 (to passenger traffic)
1987 (to regular goods)
2008 (to all traffic)
Entire branch line still extant, but disused
Birkenhead RailwayHooton to West Kirkby17 September 1956 (to passengers)May 1962 (to all traffic)
Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton Low Level LineGWRBirmingham to Wolverhampton1972 (to passengers)August 1992 (to all traffic)Part reopened as part of the Jewellery Line. Part reopened as part of the West Midlands Metro
Bishops Castle RailwayCraven Arms to Bishops Castle1935
Bishop's Stortford–Braintree branch lineBishop's Stortford to Braintree3 March 1952 (to passengers)17 February 1972 (to all traffic)
Blenheim and Woodstock branch linePrivate (absorbed by GWR)Kidlington to WoodstockMarch 1954
Blyth and Tyne RailwayB&TR/NER (LNER)A former network of primarily colliery lines in south east Northumberland and North Tyneside (to passengers, north of and Monkseaton)
1971-1983 (in stages, to all traffic on North Tyneside Loop)
Some of the former B&TR constituted part of the North Tyneside Loop which was officially incorporated into the Tyne and Wear Metro on .
Much of the northern section of the network remains open for freight traffic serving the Port of Blyth and Lynemouth Power Station; as of July 2020, there is an active project seeking to reintroduce a to passenger service using much of this surviving freight network.
A section of B&TR's original main line was reopened during the 1970s as a test track for the Tyne and Wear Metro rolling stock and is now largely preserved (between Percy Main and) as the North Tyneside Steam Railway.
Bolton and Leigh RailwayKenyon Junction to Bolton29 March 1954 (to passengers)1969 (to all traffic)
Bordon Light RailwayBentley to Bordon16 September 1957 (to passengers)4 April 1966 (to all traffic)
Brampton Railway28 March 1953 (to all traffic)
Brentford branch lineGreat Western RailwaySouthall to Brentford Dock (to passengers)
December 1970 (to regular freight)
Part of the Line still extant
Brightlingsea branch lineTendring Hundred RailwayWivenhoe to Brightlingsea  
Brill TramwayBrill to Quainton Road30 November 1935
Bristol and North Somerset RailwayGreat Western RailwayFrome to Bristol-9 (to passengers)
1963 (to all traffic)
Bristol and South Wales Union RailwayBristol to Portskewett23 November 1964
Bristol Port Railway and PierHotwells to Avonmouth1922 (Hotwells branch)Portions of the line remain in use as part of the Severn Beach line
Bodmin and Wadebridge RailwayGWR/
LSWR (Southern Railway)
Bodmin Road to Wadebridge (via Bodmin General, Boscarne Junction and Grogley) (to passengers)
197? (to freight)
1983 (to all traffic)
6-mile stretch of the line now preserved, as the
Bodmin & Wenford Railway.
Botley to Bishops Waltham branch lineLSWRBotley to Bishops Waltham 
Bourn and Essendine RailwayGNRBourne to Essendine18 June 1951
Bourne and Sleaford RailwayGNRBourne to Sleaford22 September 1930 (to passengers)2 April 1965 (all traffic)
Bridport RailwayGWRMaiden Newton to Bridport22 September 1930 (to passengers)1965 (to all traffic)
Buckinghamshire Junction Railway8 Nov 1965
 South Eastern Railway (SR)Rochester Bridge Junction to Chatham CentralSER branch from North Kent Line to rival LCDR's Chatham Main Line – closed with advent of SECR circa 1890s
Bumble Hole lineGWROld Hill to Blowers Green1964 (to passengers)January 1968 (to all traffic)
Buntingford branch lineGERSt Margarets to Buntingford14 November 1964 (to passengers)17 September 1965 (to goods)
Cambridge and St Ives branch lineCambridge to St Ives5 October 1970 (to passengers)May 1992 (to all traffic)Forms part of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway
Cambridge to Mildenhall lineGERCambridge to Mildenhall
Camerton branch lineGreat Western RailwayLimpley Stoke to Hallatrow (to passengers)
15 February
1951 (to all traffic)
Canterbury and Whitstable Railway (SR) Whitstable Harbour to Canterbury North Lane-1953known as the "Crab and Winkle Line" – 1830–1952
Cargo Fleet to Eston branch lineCleveland Railway/
NER (LNER)
to (to passengers)

(to all traffic)
The line followed the northern section of the earlier Cleveland Railway mineral line which had originally continued south to Guisborough and via a number of inclines but this section was dismantled in 1873. The line paralleled an earlier branch which ran to the east of the settlement of Eston (known as the Eston Mines branch) and which carried an intermittent passenger service during the 19th Century.
Carlisle and Silloth Bay RailwayCarlisle to Silloth1932 (to passengers)1964 (to all traffic)
Castleford–Garforth lineNERCastleford to GarforthJanuary 1951 (to passengers)6 June 1998 (to all traffic)
Castle Donington LineMidland Railway21 September 1930 (to passengers)Regular passenger service withdrawn and stations closed in 1930. Line remains open to freight and is occasionally used for diverted passenger services
Castle Eden RailwayNorth Eastern Railway (LNER) to, via (to passengers)
(to goods)
1968 (to all traffic)
Stopping passenger services only ever ran over the line north of Junction, south of which they used the Stillington line to reach Stockton.
The southern section of the line was electrified as part of the NER's 1914 to Newport electrification project but was subsequently de-electrified by the LNER in 1935.
Most of the route reused as the Castle Eden Walkway.
Cawood, Wistow and Selby Light RailwayCawood to Selby1 January 1930 (to passengers)23 May 1960 (to all traffic)
Castleton to Bolton LineLancashire & Yorkshire RlyBolton to Castleton,
via Darcy lever, Bradley Fold and Broadfield
(to all traffic)Four mile stretch of track (between Bury and Heywood) now preserved as part of the East Lancashire Railway.
Maryport and Carlisle Railway (Bolton/Mealsgate Loop)LMSMaryport to Carlisle,
via Baggrow and High Blaithwaite
(to passengers)
1952 (to all traffic)
Chard branch lineBristol & Exeter Rly/LSWR (Joint)Chard Junction to Taunton, via Donyatt, Hatch and Thornfalcon (to passengers)
6 July 1964 (to goods)
3 October
1966 (to all traffic)
Charnwood Forest RailwayCoalville to Loughborough13 April 1931 (to passengers)12 December 1963 (to all traffic)
Cheadle branch lineCresswell to Cheadle17 June 1963 (to passengers)1989 (to all traffic)
Cheddar Valley lineGreat Western RlyWitham Friary to Yatton, via Cranmore,
Shepton Mallet, Wells, Lodge Hill and Congresbury
(to passengers)
1971 (to goods)
1985 (to all traffic)
A 2-mile stretch of the line now preserved, as the
East Somerset Railway.
Chester and Birkenhead RailwayC&BR/
Birkenhead Railway (London & North Western Railway and Great Western Railway Joint Line) (LMS/GWR)
to /Monks Ferry/Woodside, via,,,,,, and 5 November 1967 (to all traffic, north of Rock Ferry)Originally terminated at Birkenhead Grange Lane in 1840–1844, before being diverted to new termini at Monks Ferry (until 1878) and Woodside (until 1967).
Constituted the most northerly section of the GWR to Birkenhead (for Liverpool) main line.
Line remains open south of Rock Ferry as part of the Chester branch of Merseyrail's Wirral line.
Chester and Connah's Quay RailwayChester to Shotton1968 (to passengers)1992 (to all traffic)
Chester Northgate to Hawarden Bridge lineMSLR (LNER) to via and (to passengers)
199? (to all traffic)
The line was closed to all traffic during 20 April 1984 to 31 August 1986 but reopened again for goods until the early 1990s.
Chevington to Amble branch lineYN&BR (LNER) to (to passengers)
(to goods)
(to all traffic)
Though the branch opened for mineral traffic to Warkworth Harbour (Amble) in 1849, passenger services were not introduced until 1879.
Chippenham and Calne lineGreat Western RailwayChippenham to Calne
Churnet Valley lineNorth Staffordshire Railway (LMS)North Rode (via Leek, Cheddleton and Oakamoor) to Uttoxeter (to passengers)
3 July 1970 (to freight traffic)
1988 (to all traffic)
Part of the line (based at Rudyard) re-laid to Gauge, forming the Leek and Rudyard Railway.

Also, the line between Leekbrook Junction and Oakamoor Sand Sidings now preserved, as the Churnet Valley Railway.
Clayton West branch lineL&YR (LMS)Shepley Junction to Clayton West (via Skelmanthorpe) (to all traffic)A Stretch of the branch, re-laid to 15-inch Gauge as the Kirklees Light Railway.
Cleator and Workington Junction RailwayLondon and North Western Railway (LMS)Workington to Cleator Moor196? (to passengers)
1992 (to all traffic)
Clevedon branch lineBristol and Exeter RailwayYatton to Clevedon3 October 1966
Clowne BranchMRCreswell to Staveley5 July 1954 (to passengers)20 July 2013 (to all traffic)
Coalport branch lineLNWRHadley to Coalport1952 (to passengers)6 July 1964 (to all traffic)
Cockermouth and Workington RailwayLNWR (LMS)Workington to Cockermouth196?
Cockermouth, Keswick and Penrith RailwayLNWR (LMS)Penrith to Cockermouth (via Blencow, Troutbeck, Keswick and Bassenthwaite)Most of the line, still remains, but now survives as a path
Coley branch lineGreat Western Railway (GWR)Southcote Junction to Reading Central goods depotUsed in part as a walking route, and in part by the A33 road
Colne Valley and Halstead RailwayCV&HRChappel & Wakes Colne to Haverhill (to passengers)
April 1965 (to all traffic)
Opened in stages from 1860 to 1863. In 1865, the GER opened a spur to Haverhill North and the LNER closed Haverhill South to passengers in 1924.

Part of the route, now survives as the preserved
Colne Valley Railway and the East Anglian Railway Museum is located at Chappel and Wakes Colne Station.
Coniston RailwayFoxfield to Coniston6 October 1958 (to passengers)30 April 1962 (to all traffic)
Cornhill BranchNorth Eastern Railway
(LNER)
to (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Passenger services were temporarily restored during World War II to serve RAF Milfield. Destruction of a bridge during a storm in August 1948 closed the to section before the remainder of the line, splitting it in two. The remaining Alnwick to Ilderton and Coldstream to Wooler sections closed on and, respectively.
Corringham Light RailwayKynochThames Haven to Corringham via Kynochtown (now Coryton)Built under the 1896 Light Railways Act to link Kynoch's explosives factory to the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway at Thames Haven and to Corringham. Corringham section closed 1952, remainder in upgraded form serves Coryton Refinery. (1900/1-1952).
Cranleigh lineHorsham & Guildford Direct RailwayHorsham to Guildford via Cranleigh 
Cranwell branchGNRSleaford to CranwellNovember 1926 (to passengers)August 1956 (to all traffic)
Cromford and High Peak Railway    
Cross Gates–Wetherby lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Cross Gates to Wetherby via
Scholes, Thorner, Bardsey and Collingham Bridge
-65
Crystal Palace and South London Junction RailwayLondon, Chatham, and Dover Railway (LCDR)Nunhead to Crystal Palace20 September 1954
Cuckoo LineLB&SCRPolegate to Tunbridge Wells via Eridge1965
Culm Valley Light RailwayGWRTiverton Junction to Hemyock1963
Darlington and Barnard Castle RailwayDarlington and Barnard Castle Railway (LNER) to (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Dauntsey–Malmesbury branch lineGreat Western RailwayDauntsey to Malmesbury
Dearne Valley RailwayLancashire and Yorkshire RailwayBrierley to Doncaster10 September 1951
Deerness Valley branch lineNorth Eastern Rly to Crook, via and Waterhouses (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Though line opened to serve collieries in 1858, a passenger services was not introduced until 1877 and only ever operated east of Waterhouses.
Delph DonkeyLNWRDelph to OldhamApril 1955 (to passengers)November 1963 (to all traffic)
Derbyshire and Staffordshire extensionGreat Northern Railway1964 (to passengers)1968 (to freight)
Derwent BranchMaryport and Carlisle RailwayBullgill to Brigham29 April 1935
Derwent Valley RailwayNorth Eastern Rly to, via
,,, and
(to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Derwent Valley Light RailwayNorth Eastern RailwayYork to Selby, via Layerthorpe, Dunnington and Wheldrake (to all traffic)A short section of the line at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming is now preserved as a heritage railway (of the same name).
Devizes branch lineGreat Western RailwayPatney & Chirton to Holt Junction, via Devizes and Bromham (to all traffic)
Devon and Cornwall RailwayLSWRExeter to PlymouthOpened in 1862. Closed between Meldon Junction and Bere Alston. Remainder of line still in use, mostly as a freight line.[1]
Part of the Line (between Okehampton and Yeoford) now preserved as the Dartmoor Railway.
Devon and Somerset RailwayGWRTaunton to Barnstaple, via Dulverton, South Molton and Swimbridge
Didcot, Newbury and Southampton RailwayDN&SRDidcot to Shawford Junction 
Doe Lea branch lineMidland Railway1930
Dover Marine or Dover Western Docks   For boat trains from Chatham Main Line / SER Main Line
Downham and Stoke Ferry RailwayGERDownham to Stoke Ferry22 September 1930 (to passengers)1982 (to all traffic)
Driffield to Malton lineNorth Eastern RailwayMalton to Driffield,
via Wharram, Burdale and Wetwang
(to all traffic)Part of the line is being rebuilt as the heritage Yorkshire Wolds Railway.
Duffield–Wirksworth branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Duffield to Wirksworth
(via Hazelwood, Shottle and Iridgehay)
(to passengers)
196? (to goods)
1989 (to all traffic)
Entire branch line now preserved as the
Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Dungeness branch lineSouth Eastern Railway Appledore Junction to Dungeness,
via, Lydd Town
(to passengers)Part of the line still open to serve Dungeness Power Station
Dunstable Branch LinesLondon and North Western Railway (LNWR)/Hertford, Luton and Dunstable RailwayLeighton Buzzard to Welwyn via Dunstable26 April 1965 (to passengers)1990 (to goods)Track between Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable removed shortly after passenger services withdrawn.Line between Dunstable and the Midland Main Line (at Luton) remained open until 1990.Luton to Dunstable Busway uses the old trackbed.
Durham to Bishop Auckland LineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER) to, via and (to passengers)
(to goods)
1968 (to all traffic)
Durham to Sunderland lineDurham and Sunderland Railway/
NER (LNER)
/ to, via,, and (to passengers, west of Pittington)
(to passengers, east of Pittington)
(to all traffic, west of Pittington)
(to all traffic, west of Hetton)
(to all traffic, west of Murton)
1991 (to all traffic, east of Murton)
The line originally terminated outside of the City of Durham at Shincliffe Town station but the section between there and closed on when the route into Durham Elvet opened.
Partially converted to footpath (part of the Hart to Haswell Walkway, east of Murton).
Dursley branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Coaley Junction to Dursley (to passengers)
1968 (to freight)
1970 (to all traffic)
Easingwold RailwayAlne to Easingwold29 November 1948 (to passengers)30 December 1957 (to all traffic)
East and West Yorkshire Union RailwayStourton to Lofthouse1 October 1904 (to passengers)3 October 1966 (to all traffic)
East Kent Light Rlys   A series of lines built under the 1896 Light Railways Act from 1911 to 1917 around the East Kent Coalfield. Closed with decline of coalfield.
Part of the line, between (Shepherdswell and Eythorne) now preserved as the East Kent Railway.
East Lincolnshire lineGreat Northern Railway (LNER)Boston to Grimsby, (via Firsby, Louth and Ludborough) (to passengers)
1980 (to all traffic)
A Section of the Line, now preserved forming the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway.

Whilst other part of the line from Boston to Skegness remains open (as part of the national network).
Eden Valley lineStockton and Darlington Railway (LNER)Penrith to Kirkby Stephen (via Temple Sowerby and Warcop)/63Part of the line, now survives (between Appleby East and Warcop) as the preserved Eden Valley Railway.
Elham Valley lineSERCanterbury West to Folkestone West, via
Bishopsbourne and Elham
Opened in 1890 by SER, lasted until 1947. Branch Line ran for 16 miles
Elsenham & Thaxted Light RailwayElsenham & Thaxted Light RailwayElsenham to Thaxted (to passengers)
1 June 1953 (to all traffic)
Last rail line built in Essex (1913), until the construction of Stansted Airport railway station (1991)
Ely and St Ives RailwayGEREly to St Ives2 February 1931 (to passengers)5 October 1964 (to all traffic)
Eryholme–Richmond branch lineY&NREryholme to RichmondOpened in 1846. Catterick sub-branch constructed during WWI
Exe Valley LineGWRDulverton to Exeter St David's, via Tiverton and Cadeleigh
Eye BranchMellis to Eye2 February 1931 (to passengers)13 July 1964 (to all traffic)
Fairford branch lineOxford, Witney and Fairford Railway (GWR)Yarnton to Fairford,
via Witney
(to passengers)
2 November
1970 (to all traffic)
Fairlop LoopGreat Eastern RailwayWoodford to IlfordWoodford to Newbury Park was transferred to London Underground Central line in 1947–8, but Ilford and Seven Kings to Newbury Park connections removed by 1956. Freight trains on remaining section operated by BR until 1965
Fallowfield LoopGreat Central Rly (LNER)Manchester Central to
Fairfield, via Fallowfield
-8 (to all traffic)
Fareham–Gosport LineLSWRFareham to Gosport6 June 1953 (to passengers)6 January 1969 (to all traffic)
Fawley branch lineSouthern RailwayTotton to Fawley,
via Hythe
(to passengers)
1 September 2016 (to all traffic)
Part of the line, still extant as far as Marchwood
Goods traffic continued onto Fawley Refinery until 2016.
Ferryhill to Bishop Auckland lineClarence Railway/
NER (LNER)
to, via and (to passengers, west of Spennymoor)
(to passengers, east of Spennymoor)
(to all traffic, west of Spennymoor)
(to all traffic, east of Spennymoor)
As originally built, this line continued west from Byers Green towards Billy Row via the West Durham Railway and intermittent passenger services operated over the line to during the mid 19th Century. A more permanent passenger service was later introduced when the NER diverted the line's western terminus to Bishop Auckland in 1885.
Filey (Butlins Triangle) branch lineLondon & North Eastern RailwayHunmanby to Filey, via
Filey Holiday Camp
former station site, still standing/clearly visible, though disused and overgrown
Fleetwood branch linePreston and Wyre Joint Railway to, via
and

(to passengers)
1999 (to all traffic)
Most of the branch line, still remains in place (with the track also intact), but currently disused,

The line is currently being restored as a Heritage Railway.
Folkestone Harbour branch lineSouth Eastern Railway (England) to
(to regular services)
2009 (to Venice Simplon Orient Express service)
2014 (line fully closed)
Railway up to Harbour viaduct intact, however is very overgrown.
Viaduct to Harbour station railway track was removed in 2016 and is now restored as a public exhibit.
Forest of Dean RailwayNewnham to Whimsey and Drybridge3 November 1958 (to passengers)3 August 1967 (to all traffic)
Foss Islands branch lineYork to Foss Islands8 July 1988 (to passengers)1989 (to all traffic)Connected to the Derwent Valley Light Railway at York (Layerthorpe) railway station
Framlingham branchEastern Counties Railway (ECR)Wickham Market to Framlingham1 November 1952 (to passengers)19 April 1965 (to freight)
Fullerton to Hurstbourne LineLSWRFullerton Junction to Hurstbourne6 July 1931 (to passengers)28 May 1956 (to all traffic)
Garstang and Knot-End RailwayGKERGarstang to Opened 1870 to, completed by Knott End Railway in 1908
Gilling and Pickering lineNERGilling to Pickering2 February 1953 (to passengers)1964 (to all traffic)
Glasson Dock branch lineLNWR to Glasson DockOpened 1883
Glazebrook East Junction–Skelton Junction lineCheshire Lines CommitteeGlazebrook to Skelton Junction1964 (to passengers)1983 (to freight)
Gloucester loop lineMidland Railway (LMS)Barnt Green to Ashchurch,
via Alcester and Evesham
–5 (to all traffic)Part of the line, still extant as far as Redditch.
Gobowen to Welshpool lineCambrian Railway (GWR)Gobowen to Welshpool (via Oswestry, Llynclys, Pant, Llanymynech and Pool Quay) (to passengers)
Closed in 1971 (to freight)
Closed in 1988 (to all traffic)
Now being restored as a heritage railway (based at both Oswestry and Llynclys).
Golden Valley RailwayPontrilas to Hay-on-Wye15 December 1941 (to passengers)3 June 1957 (to all traffic)
Grantham and Lincoln lineGreat Northern RailwayGrantham to Lincoln via Honington1965
Grassington branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Skipton to Grassington, via Rylstone and Swinden (to passengers)
11 August 1969 (to freight)
Still extant, as far as Swinden (freight only)
Gravesend West LineLCDRLongfield Halt to Gravesend WestOpened in 1886. Passenger traffic ceased in 1953.
Great Central and Midland Joint RailwayGCRMR
Great Central Main LineGreat Central Railway (LNER)London (Marylebone) to
Sheffield (Victoria)
–69 (in stages)Parts of the GCR still open between London Marylebone to Verney Junction north of Aylesbury.

Two stretches of the former Great Central Main Line now preserved as the Nottingham Heritage Railway (between Ruddington and Loughborough High Level), and as the
Great Central Railway (between Loughborough Central and Leicester North).
Great Northern and Great Eastern Joint RailwayGreat Northern Rly/
Great Eastern Rly (Jointly)
Drax to Huntingdon, via
Haxey Junction, Lincoln and March
Great Northern and London and North Western Joint RailwayGreat Northern Railway/London and North Western RailwayClosed in stages by 1970
Great Harwood LineLancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LMS) to Burnley
via,,, and

1993 (to all traffic)
Opened in two stages between 1875 and 1877.
Known as the North Lancashire Loop
Most of the line, now converted to a path
Guisborough to Brotton lineCleveland Railway/
NER (LNER)
to /, via (to passengers)
1963 (to all traffic, west of Boosbeck)
(to all traffic, east of Boosbeck)
The line followed the eastern section of the earlier Cleveland Railway mineral line which had originally continued north through Guisborough to Eston and Normanby via a number of inclines however this section was dismantled in 1873. Though it bypassed Guisborough station, special working practices were put in place that permitted trains to reverse onto the short branch into the station before continuing over the Middlesbrough to Guisborough line.
Gwinear–Helston branch lineGreat Western RailwayGwinear Road to HelstonSection of the former Branch, now preserved as the
Helston Railway.
Hadleigh RailwayEastern Union RailwayBentley to Hadleigh29 February 1932 (to passengers)19 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Halesowen RailwayGWRMRLongbridge to Old Hill1919 (to passengers)1964 (to all traffic)
Hall Farm CurveLea Valley lines

connected to line with to line.

Potentially being reconstructed by 2019.
Haltwhistle–Alston branch lineNewcastle & Carlisle Railway (LNER) to
(via, and)

(to all traffic)
The gauge South Tynedale Railway has reopened 5mile of the original line between Alston and Slaggyford.
Hamworthy Freight BranchSouthampton and Dorchester RailwayHamworthy to Poole Docks1896 (to passengers)
Harrogate to Northallerton lineLeeds Northern Rly Co (NER)Harrogate to Northallerton, via
Ripon and Melmerby
–69Formed part of the Leeds-Northallerton Railway
Mid-Suffolk Light RailwayMid-Suffolk Light Railway (MSLR)Haughley to LaxfieldPart of the former branch, now preserved as the
Mid-Suffolk Light Railway.
Harborne branch lineLNWRclosed to passenger traffic in 1934The trackbed is now the Harborne nature walkway. Part of the line could be reopened.
Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead lineMidland Railway
(LMS)
Harpenden to Hemel Hempstead (to regular traffic)
1979–82 (to all traffic)
Known as the Nickey Line,
Most of the route, now converted to a Path
Harrogate–Church Fenton lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Harrogate to Church Fenton via
Wetherby and Tadcaster
–65
Hartlepool–Ferryhill lineHartlepool Dock and Railway Co./
Great North of England, Clarence and Hartlepool Junction Railway/
NER (LNER)
West Hartlepool/Hartlepool to, via,, and (to passengers)
197? (to all traffic, east of Raisby Hill Quarry)
198? (to all traffic, west of Raisby Hill Quarry)
Hartlepool–Murton lineHartlepool Dock and Railway Co./
Durham and Sunderland Railway/
NER (LNER)
West Hartlepool/Hartlepool to, via,,, and (to passengers)
1966 (to goods)
198? (to all traffic, south of South Hetton Junction)
1991 (to all traffic, north of South Hetton Junction)
The section through Haswell and South Hetton was dismantled when stopping goods traffic was withdrawn in 1966. The remaining sections of the line were maintained to provide mainline connections for the National Coal Board's South Hetton Railway system.
Most of the route converted to the Hart to Haswell Walkway
Hatfield and St Albans RailwayHatfield and St Albans Railway Company/Great Northern Railway (GNR)Hatfield to St Albans Abbey28 September 1951 (to passengers)31 December 1968 (to freight)
Hawes branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Garsdale (Hawes Junction) to Hawes (to passenger traffic)
?? April 1964 (to all traffic)
Hawes railway station, now forms part of the "Dales Countryside Museum"

An ex-industrial RS&Hawthorne Steam locomotive and a rake of three ex-BR passenger coaches stand alongside the adjacent station platform on display.
Hawkhurst branch lineSERPaddock Wood to HawkhurstOpened in 1892 and ran for a distance of 11 miles.
Hayfield branchMidland Railway (LMS)Hayfield to New MillsTrackbed of the Line, now forms the Sett Valley Trail.
Haywards Heath to Horsted Keynes branch lineLondon, Brighton & South Coast RailwayHorsted Keynes to Haywards Heath, via Ardingly and Copyhold JunctionPortion of the line, (between Horsted Keynes and Ardingly) now owned by the Bluebell Railway.
Whilst the other half of the line, still open to locally serve the Aggregate Depot.
Headcorn to Robertsbridge lineKent & East Sussex Railway Co/
South Eastern Railway (SR)
Robertsbridge to Headcorn,
via Tenterden
(to passengers)
1961 (to freight)
1970–2 (to all traffic)
1900 to 54/61 – Built under the 1896 Light Railways Act, with a large part of the whole line now closed,

10 mile stretch of track now preserved (between Tenterden and Junction Road) as the Kent and East Sussex Railway.

Another section of the Line (based at Robertsbridge), is also preserved.
Henbury Loop LineAvonmouth to Filton1964 (to passengers)Remains open for freight. Proposal to reopen for passengers
Hereford, Ross and Gloucester RailwayGreat Western RailwayGloucester to Hereford via Ross-on-Wye196?
Hertford and Welwyn Junction RailwayGreat Northern RailwayWelwyn Garden City to Ware via Cole Green and Hertford Cowbridge18 June 1951 (Hertford Cowbridge closed in 1924)
Hexham–Allendale branch lineHexham and Allendale Railway (LNER) to (to passengers)
20 November 1950 (to all traffic)
Hexham to Riccarton Junction lineBorder Counties Railway
NBR (LNER)
to, via, and (to passengers)
(to goods)
(to all traffic)
The tracks were dismantled from all but the Reedsmouth to Bellingham section in 1959, which was accessed via the Wansbeck Railway from until 11 November 1963. A very short section of the line (including Saughtree station) now restored (but privately).
Hincaster branch lineFurness Railway (LMS)Arnside to Hincaster,
via Sandside and Heversham
(to passengers)
1966 (to freight)
1972 (to all traffic)
 
Higham Ferrers branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Wellingborough to Higham Ferrers (via Rushden) (to passengers)
Closed in 1971 (to all traffic)
A section of the branch now preserved, as part of the Rushden Transport Museum.
Highworth branch lineGreat Western RailwaySwindon to Highworth (to passengers)
1962 (to all traffic)
 
Holmfirth branch lineLancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LMS)Brockholes to Holmfirth,
via Thongsbridge
(to passengers)
28 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Honeybourne LineGreat Western RailwayCheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon (via Honeybourne) (to passengers)
?? August 1976 (to all traffic)
A Lengthy Majority of the Line, now preserved as the
Gloucestershire-Warwickshire Railway.
Hooton–West Kirby branchBirkenhead Railway (London & North Western Railway and Great Western Railway Joint Line) (LMS/GWR) Junction to, via,,,,, and 17 September 1956 (to passenger traffic)
7 May 1962 (to all traffic)
Almost entire route converted to Wirral Country Park cycle way in 1973.
Hadlow Road station restored to 1950s condition (complete with a short length of demonstration track) for use as Country Park visitor centre.
Horbury West CurveLancashire & Yorkshire Railway (LMS)Horbury & Ossett station to Crigglestone West Junction, via Canal Sidings11 September 1961 (to passenger traffic)
4 February 1991 (to all traffic)
Disused, but still entirely intact throughout
Horncastle branch lineGreat Northern RailwayWoodhall Junction to Horncastle (to passengers)
6 April 1971 (to all traffic)
Hull and Barnsley RailwayNorth Eastern RailwayCudworth to Hull Paragon, via
Wrangbrook Junction, Drax Abbey and Little Weighton
193? (to passengers)
195? (to freight)
197? (to all traffic)
Hull and Barnsley and Great Central Joint RailwayAire Junction to Braithwell JunctionSeptember 1970
Hull to Holderness branch lineNorth Eastern Railway  
Hull to Hornsea branch lineNorth Eastern Railway  
Hundred of Hoo RailwayGravesend to Allhallows4 December 1961 (to passengers)Remains open for freight
Ilfracombe branch lineLSWR (Southern Railway)Barnstaple to Ilfracombe, via Wrafton, Braunton and Mortehoe & Woolacombe (to passengers)
1975 (to all traffic)
Ingleton to Tebay lineLancaster and Carlisle Railway (LMS)Ingleton to Opened 1861. Tracks lifted 1967.
Skipton–Ilkley lineMidland Railway (LMS)Ilkley to Skipton (via Addingham, Bolton Abbey and Embsay) (to passengers)
January 1966 (to all traffic)
4 Mile stretch of the Line now preserved, as the
Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway.
Kelvedon and Tollesbury Light RailwayKelvedon to Tollesbury Pier7 May 1951 (to passengers)28 September 1962 (to all traffic)
Kemble to Cirencester branch lineGreat Western RailwayKemble to Cirencester
Kemp Town branch lineLB&SCR/SR/SRKemp Town Junction to Kemp Town railway station
Kettering, Thrapston and Huntingdon RailwayKettering to Huntingdon15 June 1959 (passengers)27 July 1971 (all traffic)
King's Lynn to Dereham lineGreat Eastern Railway (LNER)Dereham to King's Lynn,
via Swaffham
3 mile section (as far as Middleton Towers) still exists (freight only)
Kingsbridge branch lineBrent to Kingsbridge14 September 1963
Kingswear branch lineGreat Western RailwayNewton Abbot to Kingswear (via Torquay, Paignton and Churston) (Paignton-Kingswear section, only)Part of the line between Newton Abbot and Paignton still open as part of the National Network's Riviera Line

7 mile stretch of track now preserved, (between Paignton and Kingswear) as the Dartmouth Steam Railway.
Kirkburton branch lineLondon & North Western Railway (LMS)Deighton to Kirkburton,
via Kirkheaton
(to passengers)
5 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Kirkstead and Little Steeping RailwayGreat Northern Railway (LNER)Firsby to Woodhall Junction
Lambourn Valley RailwayLVRNewbury to LambournOpened in 1893; part of the Great Western Railway from 1905.
Lancashire, Derbyshire and East Coast RailwayChesterfield and Sheffield to Lincoln19 September 1955
Lancashire Union RailwayLUR to St HelensOpened in 1869; St Helens to Wigan still in use
Lanchester Valley RailwayNorth Eastern Railway to, via
(to passengers)
(to goods)
(to all traffic)
Langton Dock Branch   
Leamington–Rugby lineLondon and North Western Railway (LMS)Leamington Spa to Rugby 
Leamside lineDurham Junction Railway/
Newcastle and Darlington Junction Railway/
NER (LNER)
and to Pelaw, via,,, and (to passengers, south of Leamside)
(to passengers, north of Leamside)
1991 (to all traffic)
Track still down (although overgrown) Between Pelaw and Washington.
Ledbury and Gloucester RailwayGWRLedbury to Gloucester1959 (to passengers)1964 (to goods)
Leeds and Bradford Extension RailwayL&BER to via
Elslack, Thornton-In-Craven, Earby and Foulridge
Opened in 1848.
The Shipley-to-Skipton section of the line is still in use.
whilst the Skipton-Colne section had now long since closed.
Leeds New LineLondon & North Western Railway (LMS)Leeds to Huddersfield, via
Gomersal, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Battyeford
–65 (to regular traffic, in stages)
1980 (to all traffic)
Now converted to a path
Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway  Now converted to a footpath
Leek–Waterhouses branch lineNorth Staffordshire RailwayLeekbrook Junction to Waterhouses, via
Bradnop, Ipstones, Winkhill and Cauldon Lowe
(to passengers)
1964 (to goods)
1988 (to all traffic)
Part of the former branch (as far as Ipstones) now preserved, as part of the Churnet Valley Railway
Leen Valley LinesGreat Northern Railway14 September 1931 (to passengers)
Leicester and Swannington Railway   
Leicester – Rugby LineMidland Counties RailwayLeicester to Rugby1 January 1962Remaining part of the Midland Counties Railway survives as part of the Midland Main Line
Leicester BranchGreat Northern and London and North Western Joint RailwayLeicester Belgrave Road to Marefield Junction7 December 1953
Leominster and Kington RailwayGreat Western RailwayLeominster to New RadnorSmall Section of the line, now privately preserved as the Kingfisher Line (at Titley Junction).
Lewes and East Grinstead RailwayLB&SCRLewes to East Grinstead (via Barcombe, Sheffield Park, Horsted Keynes and Kingscote)An 11 miles of track now preserved, (between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead) as the Bluebell Railway.

Whilst the line (north of East Grinstead, itself) forms part of the Oxted line.
Lincolnshire loop lineGreat Northern Railway (LNER)Gainsborough to Peterborough, via Lincoln,
Woodhall Junction, Boston and Spalding
"Little" North Western RailwayMidland Railway (LMS) to Morecambe, via,, and Opened in two stages in 1848 and 1849.
Approximately two-thirds of the route (between Lancaster and Caton) is now a combined cyclepath and footpath.

Whilst, the remainder of the line from Wennington to Skipton is still in use, (as is the other line in-between Wennington and Carnforth).
Liverpool Overhead RailwaySeaforth to Dingle30 December 1956
Liverpool, Southport and Preston Junction RailwayLS&PJR to Opened 1887. A short section through in Southport is still in use.
Long Melford–Bury St Edmunds branch lineGERLong Melford to Bury St Edmunds 
Lynn and Hunstanton RailwayKing's Lynn to Hunstanton5 May 1969
Macclesfield, Bollington and Marple RailwayMSLR and NSRMacclesfield to MarpleRe-opened 1985 by Dr. David Bellamy as the Middlewood Way.
Thirsk and Malton lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Thirsk to Malton, via
Gilling
Manchester to Accrington LineLancashire and Yorkshire Railway (LMS)Manchester Victoria to Accrington Junction, (via Whitefield, Bury, Ramsbottom and Helmshore) (to regular passengers)
1972 (to all passengers)
1980 (to coal traffic)
1981 (to all traffic, north of bury)
1991 (to all traffic, south of bury)
An 8-mile Stretch of the Line, now preserved (between Bury Bolton Street and Stubbins Junction) as part of the East Lancashire Railway.

Whilst The Bury Line now occupies part of the line between Manchester Victoria and Bury Interchange, as part of the Manchester Metrolink.
Manchester, Buxton, Matlock and Midland Junction RailwayMidland Railway (LMS)Ambergate to Buxton, (via Matlock, Rowsley, Bakewell and Millers Dale) (to passengers)
29 June 1968
(to all traffic)
Part of the route, now preserved (between Matlock and Rowsley, via Darley Dale) as Peak Rail.

Whilst the route beyond (the south of) Matlock itself to Ambergate Junction remains open as part of the National Network.

Also, a section of the line (through Ashwood Dale, between Buxton and the one-time triangular junction) towards the Peak Forest Area still exists
Manchester, South Junction and Altrincham RailwayAltrincham to Manchester London Road24 December 1991Converted to Manchester Metrolink in 1992
Manchester South District RailwayMidland RailwayCornbrook to Stockport2 Jan 1967 (to passengers)1969 (to all traffic)Reopened as part of the Manchester Metrolink
Manchester and Wigan RailwayEccles to Wigan3 May 1969
Mangotsfield and Bath branch lineMidland Railway (LMS/GWR)Mangotsfield to Bath Green Park (via Bitton) (to passengers)
1971 (to all traffic)
A 3-mile stretch of the line, now preserved as the
Avon Valley Railway.
Mansfield RailwayGCRKirkby to Mansfield2 January 1956 (to passengers)2003 (to all traffic)
Margate Sands lineSouth Eastern Railway (England), and (closed)Branch line used as a goods depot until 1972. Now redeveloped as an amusement arcade.
Melbourne lineLondon Midland & Scottish RailwayDerby to Ashby de la Zouch,
via Melbourne
Meltham branch lineLancashire & Yorkshire RlyLockwood to Meltham,
via Netherton
(to passengers)
3 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Melmerby-Masham branch lineNorth Eastern RailwayMelmerby to Masham,
via West Tanfield
(to passengers)
1963 (to all traffic)
Meon Valley lineLondon & South Western RlyFareham to Alton,
via Wickham and Droxford
(to passengers)
30 April 1962 (to freight)
1968 (to all traffic)
Methley Joint RailwayWest Yorkshire Railway1964 (to passengers)1981 (to all traffic)
Micklehurst LineLondon & North Western Railway (LMS)Diggle to Staybridge, via Uppermill Friezland and Micklehurst (to passengers)
15 June 1964 (to Freight)
3 October 1966 (to further traffic)
Constructed because a new line along the east bank of the River Tame was deemed to be more cost-effective than four tracking the existing line on the west bank.
Midhurst RailwaysPetersfield to MidhurstPulborough to MidhurstChicester to Midhurst1955 (to passengers)1966 (to goods)
Midland and Great Northern Joint RailwayGNR/
Merger of earlier railways
  (to passengers)
Closed in 1964 (to all traffic)
Cromer–Sheringham section still extant as part of the nearby Bittern Line

5 mile stretch of track, now preserved as the Heritage North Norfolk Railway.
Midland and South Western Junction RailwayGWR/
Merger of earlier railways
Cheltenham to AndoverSection of the line, now preserved as the
Swindon & Cricklade Railway.
Middlesbrough to Guisborough branch lineMiddlesbrough and Guisborough Railway/
NER (LNER)
to via and (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
East of Morton Junction, the line is still in passenger use as part of the Esk Valley Line. Most of the remainder of the former branch is now a public footpath.
Middleton Junction and Oldham Branch RailwayManchester & Leeds RailwayMiddleton Junction to Oldham7 January 1963
Middleton line connection via Beza RoadCharles Brandling/The Middleton Railway Trust Ltd.Hallam and Pontefract line through Beza Road to Moor Road (Connection line closed, events only)Line intact however is currently bolted closed, preventing access. Used for special events only.
Moretonhampstead and South Devon RailwayNewton Abbot to Moretonhampstead28 February 1959 (to passengers)6 April 1964 (to goods)Section from Heathfield to Newton Abbot remains open to freight
Muswell Hill Railway   
Nantwich to Market Drayton lineGWRMarket Drayton to Nantwich, via Adderley, Coxbank and Audlem (to passengers)
1967 (to freight)
1970 (to all traffic)
Newmarket and Chesterford RailwayNewmarket and Chesterford Railway Company (N&CR)Great Chesterford to Newmarket?One of the first railway closures in British history
Norfolk and Suffolk Joint RailwayGERMGNJNorth Walsham to Cromer
Northallerton to Hawes lineNorthallerton to Hawes (via Leeming Bar, Leyburn and Aysgarth) (to passengers)
Closed in 1992 (to all traffic)
A 22-mile stretch of the line now preserved, as the Wensleydale Railway.
Northampton–Market Harborough lineLondon and North Western Railway (LMS)Northampton to Market Harborough (to all traffic)A stretch of the line, now preserved as the
Northampton and Lamport Railway.
North Cornwall RailwayLSWRHalwill Junction to Padstow
(via Launceston, Camelford and Wadebridge)
2 miles of track re-laid to narrow gauge, as the
Launceston Steam Railway.
North Devon and Cornwall Junction Light RailwayNorth Devon Railway (LSWR)Torrington to Halwell Junction (via Meeth and Hatherleigh)/65 (to passengers)
1978 (to freight)
1982 (to all traffic)
Small section (based at Torrington) now being restored as the Tarka Valley Railway.
North Devon RailwayNorth Devon Railway (LSWR)Exeter to Torrington1965 (to passengers)1982 (to freight)Section from Exeter to Barnstaple remains open as the Tarka Line
North Lindsey Light RailwayNLLRScunthorpe to WhittonShort section of the line still open, (freight only)
North Liverpool Extension Line   
North Mersey BranchLancashire and Yorkshire RailwayKirkby to Mersey Docks1991
North Sunderland RailwayNorth Sunderland Railway (LNER) to The line was independently financed and, though operated with North Eastern Railway locomotives from 1902, remained under independent control until 1939 when the LNER took over its management
North Wylam loop lineScotswood, Newburn and Wylam Railway (LNER) to, via (to passengers)
(to all traffic, west of)
(to all traffic, east of Newburn)
Partially following the route of the Wylam Waggonway, the line was famed for having passed almost directly in front of George Stephenson's Birthplace
Norton Fitzwarren to Minehead branch lineGreat Western RailwayNorton Fitzwarren to Minehead via, Crowcombe-Heathfield, Williton and Blue Anchor (to all traffic)Most of the entire branch, now preserved as the
West Somerset Railway.
Nottingham Suburban RailwayGNRNottingham London Road to Daybrook14 September 1931 (to passengers)1 August 1951 (to all traffic)
Nuneaton to Ashby Junction lineAshby and Nuneaton Joint Railway
(LNWR/Midland Railway)
Nuneaton Abbey Street to Ashby Junction,
via Shackerstone
(to passengers)
1971 (to all traffic)
A 5-mile stretch of track, now preserved as the
Battlefield Line.
Okehampton–Bude lineLondon & South Western RlyOkehampton to Bude,
via Halwill Junction and Holsworthy
Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge RailwayGuide Bridge to Oldham via Ashton4 May 1959 (to passengers)29 January 1968 (to freight)
Oldham Loop LineManchester & Leeds Rly (LMS)Rochdale to Manchester Victoria, via Oldham and Royton Junction (to all traffic)Now converted to light-rail use, as part of the
Manchester Metrolink.
Ossett and Batley Branch LineWest Yorkshire RailwayWakefield to Batley1965
Oswestry, Ellesmere and Whitchurch RailwayWhitchurch to Oswestry via Ellesmere18 January 1965
Otley and Ilkley Joint RailwayNorth Eastern Rly/Midland Railway (Joint)Ilkley to Arthington,
via Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale
(to both passengers and all traffic)Still extant as the Wharfedale line between Ilkley and Milnerwood Junction. Trackbed to become the Wharfedale Greenway cycle route.
Oxenhope branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Keighley to Oxenhope via Ingrow, Damems, Oakworth and Haworth
Re-opened in 1968
The Entire branch line is now preserved, as the
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton RailwayOxford to Wolverhampton via Worcester30 July 1962Section from Stourbridge to Oxford remains open
Oxford to Cambridge line(Varsity Line)1 January 1968 (passengers)Section from Bedford to Bletchley still open (as the Marston Vale line)Section from Oxford to Bicester reopened in 1987.

Bicester to Bletchley section to be reopened (under construction as of April 2023) as East West Rail. Extension from Bedford to Cambridge planned.

Palace Gates LineGERPalace Gates to Seven Sisters
Peterborough to Northampton lineLMSNorthampton to Peterborough (East) (to passengers)
1972 (to all traffic)
A 7-mile stretch of the line, now preserved as the
Nene Valley Railway.
Pickle Bridge LineLancashire & Yorkshire Rly (LMS)Cooper Bridge to Norwood Green, via Bailiff Bridge (to passengers)
1952 (to all traffic)
Picton–Battersby lineNorth Yorkshire and Cleveland RailwayPicton to Battersby14 June 1954 (to passengers)August 1965 (to all traffic)
Pilmoor, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough RailwayNorth Eastern RailwayKnaresborough to Pilmoor,
via Boroughbridge
196?
Plymouth to Yealmpton BranchGWRPlymouth to Yealmpton6 October 1947 (to passengers)29 February 1960 (to all traffic)
Ponteland and Darras Hall branch linesNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)South Gosforth to and, via (to passengers)
(to all traffic, west of Ponteland)
(to goods)
(to all traffic)
Most of the line was reopened as part of the Tyne and Wear Metro, initially to Bank Foot (replacing the original Kenton Bank station) in 1981 and then, via a short branch from the original route, to Airport on
Pontop and Jarrow RailwayStockton & Darlington Rly (George Stephenson & Co)Jarrow Staith to Dipton Colliery, via Springwell (to most traffic)
10 January 1986 (to all traffic)
Primarily cable-hauled, this line almost exclusively served as a colliery railway.
A short section of the Line at the site of Springwell Colliery is now preserved as the Bowes Railway.
Portishead RailwayPortishead to Bristol1964To be reopened December 2024
Portland Branch RailwayWeymouth to Isle of Portland1952 (to passengers)1965 (to all traffic)
Potteries Loop Line   
Preston–Longridge branch lineP&LR to Opened 1840 as horse-drawn tramway; converted to steam 1848. Most of track removed in 1967. One mile of track in Preston remains, but disused.
Princes End branch lineTipton to Wednesbury1916 (to passengers)April 1981 (to all traffic)
Pudsey loop railwayGNRBramley to Laisterdyke via Pudsey15 June 1964
Queensbury linesGreat Northern Railway/
Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway
Bradford to Halifax,
Halifax to Keighley, &<br>Keighley to Bradford, via
Queensbury
(to passengers)
1960–5 (to freight)/in-stages
1972–4 (to all traffic)
Part of the route between and has been reused as part of the Great Northern Railway Trail[2]
Ramsgate Town branch lineSouth Eastern & Chatham Railway (SR)
Ringwood lineSouthampton and Dorchester RailwayHamworthy to BrockenhurstThe section between Hamworthy and Wimborne was closed in 1966, and the section between Wimborne and Brockenhurst between 1974 and 1977.
Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth RailwayRingwood to Bournemouth30 September 1935Closed between Ringwood and Christchurch. Remaining section part of SWML
Ripley branch lineMidland Railway
(LMS)
Derby to Langley Mill,
via Ripley
(to passengers)
1957-68 (to regular traffic)
1999 (to all traffic)
Rishworth branchLancashire & Yorkshire RlySowerby Bridge to Rishworth (to passengers)
19?? (to all traffic)
Riverside BranchNorth Eastern Railway (LNER) to Percy Main, via, and (to goods)
(to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Following withdrawal of passenger services in 1973, line was progressively abandoned from east to west. On the section east of Carville closed, followed by that east of St. Peters in .
Rochdale–Bacup lineLancashire & Yorkshire RailwayRochdale to Bacup,
via Whitworth and Shawforth
Rolleston Junction–Mansfield lineMRRolleston Junction to Mansfield via Southwell12 August 1929 (to passengers between Mansfield and Southwell)16 June 1959 (to passengers between Southwell and Rolleston Junction)17 October 1983 (to all traffic)
Romney Marsh branch line Appledore Junction to New Romney, via
Lydd Town and Lydd-on-Sea
(to passengers)
1967 (to freight)
Rosedale RailwayBattersby to Rosedale mines11 June 1929
Rothbury BranchNorthumberland Central Railway/
North British Railway (LNER)
to, via,, and (to passengers)
(to goods)
Rugby to Peterborough lineMidland Railway (LMS)Rugby to Peterborough (East)
"Rye Harbour Branch"  Branch from Marshlink line at Rye railway station to the town distant Harbour (1854 to 1962)
Ryedale line Pickering to Pilmoor, via
Kirkbymoorside, Helmsley and Gilling
 
St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway   
Saffron Walden Railway Audley End to Bartlow 
Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway   
Sandgate branch lineSouth Eastern Railway (England), to (Closed)Now a public footpath, no original track remaining.
Scarborough to Pickering lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Seamer to Pickering, via
Forge Valley, Wykeham and Thornton-le-Dale
(to passengers)
1963 (to all traffic)
Known as the Forge Valley line
Scarborough to Whitby branch lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Scarborough to Whitby, (via Cloughton, Stainton Dale, Ravenscar and Robin Hood's Bay) (to regular traffic)
31 October 1967 (to all traffic)
Now a combined cycle/footpath route
Seaton branch lineLSWR (Southern Railway)Seaton Junction to Seaton via
Colyton and Colyford
(to all traffic)A stretch of the former branch, re-laid as the Seaton Tramway.
Selby–Driffield lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Selby to Driffield, via
Market Weighton
(to passengers)
30 June 1965 (to all traffic)
Selby–Goole lineNorth Eastern Railway (LNER)Selby to Goole,
via Drax
Severn and Wye RailwayGWRLydney to Lydbrook, (via Whitecroft, Parkend, Speech House Road and Serridge Junction)4-mile stretch of the S&WR, now preserved as the
Dean Forest Railway.
Severn Valley LineWest Midland Railway
GWR
Shrewsbury to both Hartlebury and to KidderminsterA 16-mile stretch of the line now preserved as the
Severn Valley Railway.
Sharpness branch lineSevern & Wye Railway
(GWR)
Berkeley Road to Severn Bridge, via Sharpness (to passengers)Most of the former branch, now being restored as the Vale of Berkeley Railway.
Sheffield and Lincolnshire Junction RailwayRetford to Lincoln
Sheppey Light Railway  SECR branch off Sheerness line – 1901–1950 – Built under the 1896 Light Railways Act.
Shipley Great Northern Railway branch lineGNRLaisterdyke to Shipley2 February 1931 (to passengers)1968 (to all traffic)
Shipston-on-Stour branchGWRMoreton-in-Marsh to Shipston-on-Stour8 July 1929 (to passengers)2 May 1960 (to goods)
Shropshire and Montgomeryshire RailwayShrewsbury to Llanymynech and Criggion6 November 1933 (to passengers)29 February 1960 (to all traffic)
Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company   
Sidmouth lineLondon & South Western Rly (SR)Exmouth to Feniton, via
'Budleigh Salterton', Sidmouth and Ottery St Mary
(to all traffic)
Skelmersdale branchELR to Rainford JunctionOpened 1858; goods service continued to 1963
Somerset & Dorset Joint LineMerger of earlier railwaysOpened 1862 as the result of the amalgamation of the Somerset Central Railway and the Dorset Central Railway.
Original route ran from Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater to Broadstone, continuing over London and South Western lines to Poole and Bournemouth.
In 1863 the line from Evercreech Junction to Bath was built. Railway was closed in 1966.[3]

A Trio of Three Stretches of the former line are now Preserved, The first (based at Midsomer Norton) is restored and run by the S&DR Heritage Trust,
The second (based at Shillingstone) is also (currently under restoration) as the Heritage North Dorset Railway
And the Third, (in-between) now forming the
Gartell Light Railway.
Southport and Cheshire Lines Extension RailwaySCLERSouthport to AintreeOpened 1884. Tracks lifted 1860. Almost all of the route is now a cycle path.
Southwold RailwayHalesworth to Southwold11 April 1929
South Devon and Tavistock RailwayGWRPlymouth to Launceston (via Tavistock)A 1-mile stretch of the line, now preserved as the
Plym Valley Railway.
South Durham and Lancashire Union RailwaySouth Durham and Lancashire Union Railway/
Stockton and Darlington Railway (LNER)
to,
via,, and
(to passengers, west of Barnard Castle, and all traffic between Hartley Quarry and Barnard Castle)
(to passengers, east of Barnard Castle)
(to all traffic, west of Kirkby Stephen East)
(to all remaining traffic)
A short section of the line at Kirkby Stephen East station is preserved as the Stainmore Railway.
South Shields, Marsden, and Whitburn Colliery RailwaySouth Shields, Marsden, and Whitburn Colliery Railway (NCB) to (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Though built as a colliery line, it also carried a public passenger service between and . Because the line was operated by the Whitburn (and later Harton) Coal Companies, it became the first passenger line in Great Britain to be nationalised due to the nationalisation of the coal industry on preceding that of the railways by 1 year.
South Shields to Stanhope and Wear Valley Junction linesStanhope and Tyne Railway/
Stockton and Darlington Railway/
NER (LNER)
/Tyne Dock to via Chichester,,, and .
Beyond Rowley, line split between original route to Stanhope and Rookhope via and NER-built deviation to via and .
(to passengers)
1984 (to all traffic, west of Brockley Whins)
Complex history of passenger services commencing and being withdrawn throughout the 19th Century. A more permanent passenger service was introduced by the Stockton & Darlington Railway between Consett and Wear Valley Junction on but was progressively withdrawn north of Tow Law on, north of Crook on and entirely on . This section closed to all traffic in .
The North Eastern Railway introduced a (on the Derwent Valley Railway) and Consett to (on the ECML service on . Passenger traffic on this section ended on but mineral traffic remained until 1984.
The Brockley Whins to Tyne Dock section remains as a freight line while part of the line through South Shields was reused for the Tyne and Wear Metro.
South Staffordshire lineSouth Staffordshire RailwayStourbridge to Walsall(section between Brierley Hill and Walsall closed)
South Yorkshire Joint Railway2 December 1929 (to passengers)
South Yorkshire Junction RailwayWrangbrook Junction to Denaby7 August 1967
South Yorkshire linesSouth Yorkshire Railway (LNER)Swinton Junction–Doncaster
Doncaster–Barnsley
Wombwell–Sheffield
A Part of the SYR Elsecar Colliery line now preserved as the Elsecar Heritage Railway.
Spen Valley lineLancashire & Yorkshire Rly (LMS)Low Moor to Mirfield,
via Cleckheaton, Liversedge and Heckmondwike
(to passengers)
31 May 1969 (to all traffic)
Most of the Line, now converted to a Greenway cycle/path
Spilsby branch lineGreat Northern RlyFirsby to Spilsby (to passengers)
1958 (to all traffic)
Sprat and Winkle LineLSWRAndover to Redbridge1967
Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway   (passenger), 5 March 1951 (through access) 
Staines West branch lineGreat Western Railway (GWR)West Drayton to Staines (West)–5 (to passengers)
1981 (to freight)
The line is still extant, but only as far as Colnbrook, (but disused)
Stainland branchL&YRGreetland to Stainland1929 (to passengers)1959 (to all traffic)
Stamford and Essendine RailwayEssendine to Wansford via StamfordStamford to Wansford closed to all traffic 29 June 1929Essendine to Stamford closed to passengers 15 June 1959, freight 4 March 1963
Stanmore branch lineLondon and North Western Railway (LNWR)Harrow to Stanmore5 October 1964
Stockport, Timperley and Altrincham Junction RailwayStockport Portwood to Altrincham1967 (to passengers)Portions remain in service for freight and as part of Manchester Metrolink
Stockport and Woodley Junction RailwayStockport Portwood to Woodley
Stoke-on-Trent to Market Drayton lineNorth Staffordshire Railway
(LMS)
Stoke-on-Trent to Market Drayton via,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Silverdale and Pipe Gate
(to passengers)
1966/67 (to freight)
1998 (to all traffic)
Most of the former line, still in existence, but completely disused
Stoke-on-Trent to Leek lineNorth Staffordshire Railway
(LMS)
Stoke-on-Trent to Leek196? (to passengers)
1988 (to freight)
Could be re-opened as a commuter route (to put Leek back on the national network).
Stonebridge RailwayBDJRHampton to Whitacre JunctionFirst Main-line to be singled in 1840
Stonehouse and Nailsworth RailwayMidland RailwayStonehouse to Nailsworth1947 (to passengers)1966 (to all traffic)
Stour Valley Railway Shelford to Marks TeyEastern end remains open as the
Gainsborough line
Southsea Railway   
Steyning LineLB&SCRHorsham to Shoreham-by-SeaTrackbed is now part of Downs Link footpath
Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction RailwayMidland RailwayBroom Junction to Bedford,
via Fenny Compton and Towcester
(to passengers)
3 February
1964 (to all traffic)
Sunderland–Penshaw lineYN&BR (LNER) to, via Pallion, Hylton and (to passengers)
(to all traffic, west of Hylton)
(to all traffic, west of Pallion)
(to all traffic, east of Pallion)
Most of the line was reopened as part of 2002 South Hylton extension of the Tyne and Wear Metro, although a slight deviation from the original course was required at Pallion
Sutton Park lineMidland RailwayWater Orton to Walsall18 January 1965 (to passengers)Remains open for freight
Tanfield Lea Colliery branch lineBuilt in
1725
Gateshead Junction to
Tanfield Lea Colliery
–70 (to all traffic, in stages)Built as a wooden-wagonway/colliery line.
A Stretch of the former Colliery Line, now preserved as the Tanfield Railway.
LBSCR link between Oxted line and SER's Hastings line at Tunbridge Wells   
Teign Valley lineHeathfield to ExeterJune 1958 (to passengers)1967 (to all traffic)
Tenbury and Bewdley RailwayGreat Western RlyBewdley to Wooferton,
via Tenbury
196?Whilst the entire line is now a footpath,
Bewdley station is now on the Severn Valley Railway.
Teston Crossing Halt lineSouth Eastern and Chatham RailwayTeston and West Farleigh (closed)Was situated on what is now the Medway Valley Line.
Tetbury branch lineGreat Western RailwayKemble to Tetbury, via
Rodmarton and Culkerton
Tewkesbury lineMidland Railway (LMS/GWR)Great Malvern to Ashchurch,
via Tewksbury
(to passengers)
1963 (to freight)
Thetford to Bury St Edmunds lineGERBury St Edmunds to Thetford (to passengers)
27 June 1960 (to all traffic)
Thetford to Swaffham branch lineGreat Eastern Railway (LNER)Thetford to Swaffham,
via Watton and Roudham Junction
Three Bridges–Tunbridge Wells lineThree Bridges to Tunbridge Wells1 January 1967
Totnes–Ashburton branch lineBT&SDR (GWR)Totnes to Ashburton
(via Staverton and Buckfastleigh)
(to passengers)
1962 (to goods)
A 7-mile stretch of the branch, now preserved as the
South Devon Railway.
Truro and Newquay RailwayGWRTruro to Newquay1963
Tunbridge Wells to Eridge LineLB&SCR/SREridge to Tunbridge Wells
(via Groombridge)
5-mile stretch of track, now preserved as the
Spa Valley Railway.
Turnchapel BranchLSWRPlymouth to Turnchapel10 September 1951 (to passengers)30 October 1961 (to goods)
Tweedmouth to Kelso lineYN&BR (LNER) to, via, and (to passengers)
(to all traffic)
A cross-border line which made an end-on connection with the North British Railway's line to at Kelso
Ulverston–Lakeside branch lineFurness Railway (LMS)Ulverston to Lakeside
(via Greenodd and Haverthwaite)
A 3-mile stretch of the branch, now preserved as the
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway.
Uffington–Faringdon branch lineGreat Western RlyUffington to Faringdon
Uppingham branch lineLondon & North Western RlySeaton (Rutland) to UppinghamOpened 1894
Uxbridge branch lineGreat Western Railway
Victoria Dock branch lineY&NMR to Victoria Dock1964 (to passengers)1968 (to all traffic)
Wallingford branch lineGreat Western RailwayCholsey to Wallingford (to passengers)
1981 (to all traffic)
Most of the Entire branch now preserved as the
Cholsey & Wallingford Railway (aka, The Bunk Line).
Warrington and Altrincham Junction RailwayWarrington to Timperley Junction10 September 1962 (to passengers)7 July 1985 (to all traffic)
Watlington branch lineGreat Western RailwayPrinces Risborough to Watlington, via Chinnor and Aston Rowant (to passengers)
1989 (to all traffic)
A 4-mile stretch of the branch now preserved, as the
Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway.
The rest of the former branch towards Watlington (via Aston Rowant) still extant.
Wansbeck Valley lineWansbeck Railway/
NBR (LNER)
to,
via
(to passengers)
(to all traffic)
Wantage TramwayWantage to Wantage Road1 August 1925 (to passengers)22 December 1945 (to all traffic)
Wareham–Swanage branch lineLSWRWareham to Swanage
(via Corfe Castle)
Most of the Entire branch line, now preserved as the Swanage Railway (aka, The Purbeck Line).
Watford and Rickmansworth Railway   
Waveney Valley lineGreat Eastern RailwayTivetshall to BecclesPassenger services withdrawn 3 January 1953
Wealden LineLB&SCRLewes to South Croydon, via
Uckfield, Eridge and Hurst Green
(to all traffic)The line northwards, and as far south as) Uckfield (to South Croydon, via Eridge and Hurst Green) remains open.

Part of the line (between Isfield and Little Horsted) now preserved as the Lavender Line.
Wearhead branch lineBishop Auckland & Weardale Railway/ Frosterley & Stanhope Railway/ Stockton & Darlington Railway/ NER (LNER) to (via, and) (to passengers)
1993 (to all traffic)
The line east of is now preserved as the
Weardale Railway.
Weedon–Marton Junction lineLNWRWeedon Bec to Marton Junction.Opened 1888-95
Wellington–Craven Arms lineGWR (formation of three earlier companies)Wellington to Craven Arms via
Horsehay & Dawley, Lightmoor Junction, Buildwas, Much Wenlock and Rushbury
196? (to passengers)
19?? (to all traffic)
Section of the Line, now preserved as the
Telford Steam Railway.
Wellington to Market Drayton lineMarket Drayton to Wellington, via
Peplow and Crudgington
(to passengers)
1967 (to freight)
Wellington to Stafford LineSUR&CCStafford to Wellington via Newport7 September 1964 (to passengers)22 November 1969 (to all traffic)
West Croydon to Wimbledon Line West Croydon to Wimbledon via Mitcham JunctionOnly bits of the line remain. The Croydon Tramlink now runs in its place. This line in the last few years of service ran Class 456s in Network South East livery.
West Lancashire lineWLR to
West Norfolk lineGreat Eastern Railway (LNER)Heacham to Wells-next-the-Sea, via Burnham Market (to passengers)
1954 (to all traffic)
Westerham Valley branch lineSERDunton Green to Westerhamoff SER Main Line, see Westerham and Brasted
Weston, Clevedon and Portishead Railway    
Weymouth Harbour Tramway   (to all traffic) 
Whitby and Pickering RailwayNERMalton to Whitby (via Marishes Road, Pickering, Grosmont and Sleights)A Lengthy Majority of the Line now preserved as the
North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Whitby, Redcar and Middlesbrough Union Railway Middlesbrough to Whitby, via Redcar, Salturn-by-the-Sea, Loftus, Staithes, Kettlewell and Sandsend. (to passengers)
1961 (to goods)
Part of the line (between Saltburn and Boulby near Staithes) still open (freight only),
Resurrected in 1974 to serve the nearby Boulby Potash Mine.
Whitchurch and Tattenhall RailwayLNWRWhitchurch to Chester1957 (to passengers)January 1964 (to all traffic)
Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont RailwayLNWR/Furness Railway (to regular traffic)
1964 (to all traffic)
Wigan Junction RailwaysGlazebrook to Wigan1964 (to passengers)
Winchester to Brookwood lineLSWR (Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway)Winchester to Brookwood (via Itchen Abbas, Alresford, Ropley, Alton and Farnham)A 10-mile stretch of the line now preserved as the
Mid Hants Railway (aka, The Watercress Line).

Whilst the rest of the line, (north of Alton) is now the present day local-commuter Alton Line, respectively.
Wisbech branch lineGER to (via) (to passengers)
2001 (to all traffic)
South of Wisbech, much of the former branch still extant. The line has been proposed for reopening (south of Wisbech), both as the heritage Bramley Line and as a National Rail commuter line.
Witham to Maldon branch lineMaldon, Witham & Braintree RailwayWitham to Maldon 
Wolverhampton and Walsall RailwayMidland RailwayWolverhampton to Walsall5 January 1931
Wombourne branch lineOxley Junction to Brettell Lane1932 (to passengers)25 June 1965 (to goods)
Woodford–Ongar tube lineCentral London Railway/
Eastern Counties Railway (LNER)
Woodford to Ongar via
Buckhurst Hill, Loughton, Debden, Theydon Bois and Epping
(Ongar section, only)Woodford to Epping section of the line still open (as part of the London Underground's) Central line service,

Whilst the section beyond is now preserved as the
Epping Ongar Railway.
Woodhead line  to /Wath marshalling yard, via and (to passengers, east of Hadfield)
(to all traffic, Hadfield—)
The line east of Hadfield (including the branch), as well as short section at Penistone, continue to be used by passenger services as parts of the Glossop and Penistone lines. A further section of line remains open to freight traffic from Stocksbridge steel works, near Deepcar, to Nunnery Junction (where it meets the Sheffield–Lincoln line).
Proposals have been made to reintroduce passenger services to south of Deepcar as well as, to aa lesser extent, the rest of the line.
Woodside and South Croydon RailwayLBSCRSanderstead to Elmers EndAlso known as the "Back Garden Railway";
Worcester, Bromyard and Leominster RailwayWorcester to Leominster via Bromyard1965
Wroxham–County School LineGreat Eastern Railway (LNER)Wroxham to County School/64 (to passengers)
1981 (to freight)
1982/3 (to all traffic)
9 mile stretch of the line, re-laid to Gauge, now forming the Bure Valley Railway.

Known (throughout its heyday) as the East Norfolk Line.
Wycombe RailwayMaidenhead to Oxford via High Wycombe
Wymondham to Wells BranchGreat Eastern Railway (LNER) to (via,, and (to regular passengers)
6 October 1969 (to all passengers)
12 September 1984 (to coal traffic)
1989 (to all traffic)
The gauge Wells and Walsingham Light Railway has reopened 4mile of line between resited termini at Wells and Walsingham.
The Mid Norfolk Railway has reopened the line south of Dereham and is actively working to preserve all 17.5mile of the line south of . The MNR has long-term ambitions of restoring the line between County School and Fakenham.
Yarmouth–Beccles lineGreat Eastern RailwayBeccles to Great Yarmouth,
via Haddiscoe
Yarmouth–Lowestoft lineGreat Eastern RailwayLowestoft to Great Yarmouth, via
Hopton-on-Sea and Gorleston-on-Sea

4 May 1970 (to all traffic, officially)
Yate-Thornbury branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Yate to Thornbury,
via Tytherington
(to passengers)
2013 (to all traffic)
Yeadon branch lineMidland Railway (LMS)Guiseley to YeadonMainly a Goods-only branch throughout its existing heyday
Yeovil–Taunton lineBristol & Exeter Rly (GWR)Taunton to Yeovil, via
Athelney, Langport and Martlock
(to all traffic)
York–Beverley lineNorth Eastern RailwayYork to Beverley (via Kiplingcotes, Market Weighton, Pocklington and Stamford Bridge) (to all traffic)A group, the Minsters' Rail Campaign, was established in 2001 to promote the re-opening of the line and following the Government's plans announced in 2017 to reinstate lines closed in the 1960s, it has been proposed that the line could reopen.[4] In June 2020, the East Riding of Yorkshire Council submitted a request for funding to cover a feasibility study to investigate reopening the line.[5]

Northern Ireland

Name of lineBuilderRoute (from/to)Closure dateNotes
Belfast and County Down RailwayBelfast to Newcastle via Comber and DownpatrickComber to Donaghadee via NewtownardsBallynahinch Junction to Ballynahinch Downpatrick to Ardglass1950
Dundalk, Newry and Greenore RailwayLondon and North Western Railway (LMS)Dundalk to Newry1951
Great Northern Railway of IrelandPortadown to Omagh 1965
Ulster RailwayGreat Northern Railway of IrelandPortadown to Cavan1959

Scotland

See also

Name of lineBuilderRoute (from/to)Closure dateNotes
Aberdeen RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Kinnaber Junction to Brechin, via Dubton1952–67 (to passengers)
1981 (to all traffic)
4 mile stretch of the Railway now preserved, as the Caledonian Railway (Brechin).
Aberfeldy branch lineHighland Railway (LMS)Aberfeldy Junction to Aberfeldy, via Grandtully3 May 1965
(to all traffic)
Aberlady, Gullane and North Berwick RailwayLongniddry to Gullane12 September 1932 (to passengers)15 June 1964 (to all traffic)Planned route from Gullane to North Berwick never opened
Alford Valley branch lineGreat North of Scotland Railway (LNER)Kintore to Alford, via Tillyfourie 1950 (to passengers)
1966 (to all traffic)
A Stretch of the former line (at Alford) now preserved as the Alford Valley Railway
Alyth Branch LineCaledonian Railway (LMS)Alyth Junction to Alyth (itself), via Meigle and Jordanstone2 July 1951 (to passenger traffic)
January 1965 (to all traffic)
Arbroath and Forfar RailwayCaledonian Railway
(LMS)
Arbroath to Forfa1967
Balerno lineRavelrig to Slateford via Balerno30 October 1943 (to passengers)4 December 1967 (to all traffic)
Ballachulish branch lineCallander and Oban RailwayConnel Ferry to Ballachulish28 March 1966.The Connel Bridge over Loch Etive is now used by the A828 road
Ballater branch lineGNoSRAberdeen to Ballater18 July 1966A stretch of the former branch, now preserved forming the Royal Deeside Railway.
Banff, Portsoy and Strathisla RailwayGNoSRCairnie Junction to Banff, via Tillynaught 6 July 1964 (to passenger traffic)
6 May 1968 (to all traffic)
Banff, Macduff and Turriff Junction RailwayGreat North of Scotland Railway (LNER)Inveramsay to Macduff, via Turriff and Banff Bridge1 October 1951 (to passengers)
3 January 1966 (to all traffic)
Bankfoot RailwaySMJRStrathord to Bankfoot13 April 1931 (to passengers)7 September 1964 (to goods)
Berwickshire RailwayNorth British RailwayReston to St Boswell's via Duns10 September 1951 (to passengers)7 November 1966 (to all traffic)
Boddam BranchGreat North of Scotland RlyEllon to Boddam1932 (to passengers)
1945 (to freight)
1950 (to all traffic)
Border Union RailwayNorth British Railway
(LNER)
Carlisle to Hawick, via
Newcastleton and Riccarton
1969Part of the Waverley Route in-between
Bothwell BranchCaledonian RailwayFallside to Bothwell5 June 1950
Bridge of Weir Railway    
Buckie and Portessie BranchHighland RailwayKeith to Portessie9 August 1915 (to passengers)1 April 1944 (to goods)
Cairnryan Military Railway    
Callander and Oban RailwayCallander and Oban Railway (LMS)Callander to Oban27 September 1965Section between Crianlarich and Oban is still open, accessed via the West Highland Railway.
Campsie BranchEdinburgh and Glasgow RailwayLenzie to Lennoxtown1964 (to passengers)1966 (to all traffic)
Carmyllie RailwayElliot Junction to Carmyllie2 December 1929 (to passengers)19 May 1965 (to all traffic)
Castle Douglas and Dumfries RailwayGlasgow and South Western RailwayCastle Douglas to Dumfries14 June 1965 
City of Glasgow Union RailwayMajority of the line is extant. Section between High Street East Junction and Springburn in passenger service as part of the North Clyde Line
Corstophine BranchNorth British RailwayHaymarket to Corstophine1 January 1968
Crieff and Comrie RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Crieff to Comrie6 July 1964 
Crieff Junction RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Crieff Junction (Gleneagles) to Crieff6 July 1964 
Crieff and Methven Junction RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Perth to Crieff1 October 1951 (to passengers)
11 September 1967 (to all traffic)
 
Dalry and North Johnstone Line    
Darvel and Strathaven Railway    
    
Deeside RailwayAberdeen to Ballater28 February 1966 (to passengers)2 January 1967 (to all traffic)
Denny BranchScottish Central RailwayLarbert Junction to Denny28 July 1930
Devon Valley lineNorth British RailwayKinross to Alloa, via Tillicoultry1964 (to passengers)
1973 (to all traffic)
Dolphinton branch (Caledonian Railway)Caledonian RailwayCarstairs to Dolphinton4 June 1945
Dolphinton branch (North British Railway)North British RailwayLeadburn to Dolphinton1 April 1933
Dumfries, Lochmaben and Lockerbie RailwayCaledonian RailwayLockerbie to Dumfries18 April 1966
Dunblane, Doune and Callander RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Dunblane to Callander1 November 1965 
Dundee and Forfar direct lineCaledonian RailwayDundee to Forfar10 January 1955 (to passengers)9 October 1967 (to all traffic)
Dundee and Newtyle RailwayScottish Central Railway (LNER)Dundee West Junction to Alyth Junction, via Lochee, Baldovan, Baldragon, Rosemill, Dronley, Balbeuchly, Auchterhouse, Newtyle, and Ardler Junction 1955 (to passenger traffic)
1967 (to all traffic)
Most of this Historic Scottish Railway, was certainly remote and quite circuitous en route.
Edinburgh and Dalkeith RailwaySt Leonards, South Leith to Dalkeith, MusselburghPartially reopened as part of the Borders Railway
Edinburgh, Loanhead and Roslin RailwayLNER196?
Edinburgh Suburban LineEdinburgh Suburban and Southside Junction Railway10 September 1962 (to passengers)Line remains open to freight
Elvanfoot–Wanlockhead branch lineCaledonian Railway (LMS)Elvanfoot to Wanlockhead
(via Leadhills)
31 December 1938 (to passengers)
195? (to all traffic)
A Section of the former branch, re-laid as Gauge, forming the
Leadhills & Wanlockhead Railway.
Eyemouth RailwayBurnmouth to Eyemouth5 Feb 1962
Fife and Kinross RailwayKinross to Ladybank15 June 1964
Fife Coast RailwayEdinburgh & Glasgow Railway (LNER)Thornton Junction to St Andrews, via Leven, Largo, Anstruther and Boarhills5 October 1964 (to goods)
6 September 1965 (to passengers)
18 December 1966 (to all traffic)
Most of the FCR, now forms the Fife Coastal Path
Section of the FCR (Thornton Junction-Leven) still extant, though long since disused
Findhorn RailwayKinloss to Findhorn31 January 1869 (to passengers)1880 (to goods)
Fochabers RailwayOrbliston to Fochabers14 September 1931 (to passengers)28 March 1966 (to all traffic)
Formartine and Buchan RailwayDyce to Fraserburgh and PeterheadFraserburgh branch: 4 October 1965 (to passengers), 6 October 1979 (to goods)Peterhead branch: 3 May 1965 (to passengers), 7 September 1970 (to goods)
Fort George BranchHighland RailwayGollanfield to Fort George5 April 1943 (to passengers)11 August 1958 (to goods)
Forth and Clyde Junction RailwayStirling to Balloch1 October 1934 (to passengers)9 April 1965 (to all traffic)
Fountainhall-Lauder Branch LineLNERFountainhall to Lauder,
via Oxton
1958
Fraserburgh branch lineGreat North of Scotland Railway (LNER)Dyce to Fraserburgh, via Ellon and Maud Junction1965 (to regular traffic)
6 October 1979 (to all traffic)
Galashiels to Eskbank lineNorth British Railway
(LNER)
Eskbank to Galashiels, (via Leadburn and Peebles)1962 (to passengers)
1967 (to freight)
1971 (to all traffic)
Galashiels–Selkirk branch lineNorth British Railway (LNER)Galashiels to Selkirk3 October 1966
Glasgow, Barrhead and Kilmarnock Joint RailwayGlasgow to KilmarnockMajority of the line still extant
Glasgow, Bothwell, Hamilton and Coatbridge RailwayNorth British RailwayShettleston to Hamilton1955 (to passengers)1965 (to all traffic)
Glasgow Central RailwayNewton to MaryhillSections between Carmyle and Glasgow Green, Stobcross and Maryhill closed. Remaining portions still extant and in passenger service
Glenfarg LineNorth British RailwayMawcarse to Bridge of Earn15 June 1964
Granton BranchCaledonian Railway1965
Greenock and Ayrshire Railway    
Haddington lineNorth British Railway (LNER)Longniddry to Haddington5 December 1949 (to passengers)30 March 1968 (to all traffic)
Hopeman Branch14 September 1931 (to passengers)7 November 1966 (to goods)
Inchture BranchDundee and Perth RailwayInchture Station to Crossgates, Inchture1916Horse-drawn tramway
Invergarry and Fort Augustus Railway    
Inverness and Perth Junction RailwayHighland Railway (LMS)Perth to Inverness18 October 1965Section between Perth and Aviemore is still open as part of the National Network.

10 Mile Stretch of the Line now preserved, as the Strathspey Railway.
Inverury and Old Meldrum Junction RailwayInverurie to Oldmeldrum2 November 1931 (to passengers)3 January 1966 (to all traffic)
Jedburgh branch lineNorth British Railway
(LNER)
Roxburgh Junction to Jedburgh, via
Nisbet and Jedfoot
13 August
1948 (to passengers)
10 August
1964 (to all traffic)
Keith and Dufftown Railway (GNoSR)GNoSRKeith to Elgin, (via Auchindachy, Dufftown and Craigellachie)1968 (to passengers)
1984 (to freight)
24 March 1991 (to all traffic)
An 11 Mile Stretch of the line now preserved, as the Keith and Dufftown Railway.
Killin RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Killin Junction to Killin (Loch Tay until 1939)27 September 1965 
Kincardine Line    
Kirkcaldy District Railway6 August 1962
Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway    
Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire Railway    
Leslie RailwayMarkinch to Leslie
Lochearnhead, St Fillans and Comrie RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Comrie to Lochearnhead1 October 1951 
Macmerry and Gillford branch linesNorth British Railway
(LNER)
196?
Maidens and Dunure Railway    
Monkland and Kirkintilloch Railway2 April 1966
Montrose and Bervie RailwayMontrose to BervieGreat North of Scotland Railway
(LNER)
1951 (to passengers)
1966 (to all traffic)
Morayshire RailwayMorayshire Railway (LNER)Elgin to Lossiemouth and
Elgin to Craigellachie
28 March 1966 (to passengers)
4 November 1968 (to all traffic)
Newburgh and North Fife RailwaySt Fort to Newburgh10 February 1951 (to passengers)10 October 1964 (to all traffic)
Newport Railway, ScotlandTay Bridge to Leuchars5 May 1969
Paisley and Renfrew Railway    
Peebles RailwayEskbank to Peebles10 September 1962
Perth, Almond Valley and Methven RailwayCaledonian Railway (LMS)Perth to Methven via Methven Junction1 October 1951 (to passengers)
11 September 1967 (to all traffic)
 
Peterhead branch lineGreat North of Scotland RailwayDyce to Peterhead, via Ellon and Maud Junction1965 (to passengers)
1970 (to freight)
Scottish Midland Junction RailwayScottish North Eastern Railway (LMS)Perth to Forfar, via Stanley Junction, Cargill, Coupar Angus, Meigle Junction and Kirriemuir Junction en route.1967 (to all traffic)Perth to Stanley Junction stretch of the line still exists, as part of the Highland Mainline.
Solway Junction RailwayBrayton to Kirtlebridge27 April 1931
South Alloa BranchScottish Central RailwayAlloa Junction to South Alloa1 October 1885 (to passengers)1 September 1950 (to goods)
Slamannan RailwayCausewayend to Arbuckle1930 (to passengers)1964 (to all traffic)
Slamannan and Borrowstounness RailwayCausewayend to Bo'ness, via Birkhillclosed 196?A 5 mile stretch of track now preserved, as the
Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway.
South Queensferry BranchNorth British RailwaySouth Queensferry to Ratho
Stirling and Dunfermline RailwayNorth British Railway (LNER)Stirling to Dunfermline via Alloa5 October 1968 (to passengers)
1993 (to all traffic)
The section between Stirling and Alloa re-opened to passenger traffic in 2008.
St Boswells–Kelso lineNorth British Railway
(LNER)
St Boswells to Kelso1964 (to passengers)
1968 (to freight)
Strathspey RailwayGNoSR (LNER)Craigellachie to Boat of Garten18 October 1965 (to passengers)
4 November 1968 (to freight)
November 1971 (to all traffic)
Boat of Garten Station is now preserved as part of the Strathspey Railway.
Sutherland and Caithness Railway    
Symington, Biggar and Broughton RailwayCaledonian RailwaySymington to Peebles1950 (to passengers)1966 (to all traffic)
Waverley RouteNorth British Railway (LNER)Carlisle to Edinburgh via
Scotch Dyke, Newcastleton, Whitrope, Hawick, Tweedbank, Galashiels and Eskbank
4 January 1969 (to passengers)
1971 (to all traffic)
Part of the line, now rebuilt and re-opened (between Edinburgh and Tweedbank), named the Borders Railway, as part of the National Network.

Whilst the section of the line (in-between Whitrope and Riccarton Junction) now preserved (and being restored, in stages, by the Waverley Route Heritage Association) as a Heritage Railway.
Wemyss and Buckhaven RailwayBuckhaven to Thornton9 January 1955 (to passengers)31 May 1985 (to all traffic)
Wick and Lybster Railway    
Wilsontown branchCaledonian RailwayAuchengray to Wilsontown10 September 1951 (to passengers)4 May 1964 (to all traffic)
Wishaw and Coltness Railway1930

Wales

Name of lineBuilderRoute (from/to)Closure dateNotes
Aberayron branch lineGWRLampeter to Aberayron, via Blaenplwyf and "Felin Fach"1951 (to passengers)
1973 (to all traffic)
Anglesey Central RailwayLondon & North Western Rly (LMS)Gaerwen to Amlwch,
via Llanerchymedd
1993 (to all traffic)
Bala and Festiniog RailwayGreat Western RailwayBlaenau Ffestiniog to Bala, via
Manod, Llan Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd
1961 (to passengers)
1998 (to all traffic)
Most of the Track, still intact between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Trawsfynydd, (but long since disused)

This line is now being looked at with a proposal to restore as the proposed Heritage Bala & Ffestiniog Railway Heritage Trust.
Bangor and Carnarvon RailwayMenai Bridge to Caernarvon1972 (to all traffic)
Bethesda branch lineGreat Western RlyBangor to Bethesda, via
Felin Hen and Tregarth
1951 (to passengers)
1962 (to all traffic)
Brecon to Hereford lineHereford, Hay & Brecon Railway
(LMS/GWR)
Brecon to Hereford via
Hay-on-Wye
31 December 1962 (Severed as a through route from Talyllyn Junctions)
Brecon and Merthyr RailwayGreat Western RailwayMerthyr Tydfil to Brecon / Newport to Brecon (Through route fragmented)31 December 1962 (to passengers from Newport or Merthyr)
4 May 1964 (to all traffic from Merthyr)
5 Mile stretch of the line, re-laid as 2 ft gauge, forming the
Brecon Mountain Railway.
Brynmawr and Blaenavon RailwayLondon & North Western Railway/GWRPontypool to Brynmawr (via Varteg, Blaenavon and Waunavon)1941 (to passengers)
1980 (to all traffic)
A 2-mile section of the Railway, now preserved as the
Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway.
Brymbo branch lineGreat Western RailwayStansty Junction to Brymbo1970 (to all traffic)
Burry Port and Gwendraeth Valley Railway   
Carmarthen–Aberystwyth lineGreat Western RailwayAberystwyth to Carmarthen1965 (to passengers)
1973 (to all traffic)
A 4 Mile stretch of the Line, now preserved as the
Gwili Railway.
Carnarvonshire Railway    
Coleford, Monmouth, Usk and Pontypool RailwayCUMPRMonmouth to Pontypool12 October 1957The line never reached Coleford as the GWR bought it.[6] Passenger services were withdrawn in 1955.
Denbigh, Ruthin and Corwen Railway    
Mold and Denbigh Junction Railway    
Dyserth branch lineLondon & North Western RailwayPrestatyn to Dyserth1973 (to all traffic)
Ebbw Valley lineGreat Western RailwayCardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Still Open
Glyn Valley TramwayChirk to Glyn CeiriogJuly 1935
Hay-on-Wye to Pontrilas lineGreat Western RailwayHay-on-Wye to Pontrilas, via Clifford, Dorstone and Abbeydore1953 (to passengers)
1957 (to all traffic)
Hereford, Hay and Brecon RailwayGreat Western and Midland RailwaysBrecon (Free Street) to Hereford (Barton),
via Talyllyn Junction, Aberllynfi and Hay-on-Wye
1962 (to all traffic)
Holywell branch lineLondon & North Western RailwayHolywell Junction to Holywell Town1954-7 (in stages, to all traffic)
Llandudno branch lineSt George's Harbour & Rly Company (LMS)Llandudno Junction to
Llandudno, via Deganwy
Still open
Llanelly and Mynydd Mawr RailwayLlanelly Railway & Dock Company (GWR)Llanelly Docks to Swansea via Cynheidre, Tumble, Cross Hands, Ammanford and Pantyffynnon 1989 (to all traffic)Most of the railway (of whom still intact), now being restored as the
Llanelli and Mynydd Mawr Railway
Llanidloes and Newtown RailwayCambrian RailwaysLlanidloes to Newtown30 December 1962
Llantrisant & Taff Vale Junction RailwayGreat Western Railway1984 (to all traffic)
Mawddwy RailwayGreat Western RailwayCemmes Road to Dinas Mawddwy, via Aberangell1 July 1952 (to all traffic)
Maerdy BranchGreat Western RailwayPorth Junction to Mardy Colliery, via Ynshir, Tylorstown and Ferndale.13 June 1964 (to passenger traffic)
June 1986 (to all traffic)
The Maerdy Heritage Railway, A Preservation Group Aims to Restore A 3 Mile Stretch of this Branch Line, As A Heritage Railway.
Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny RailwayLondon & North Western RailwayMerthyr (High Street) to Abergavenny Junction4 January 1958 (to regular traffic, under BR)
2 November 1959 (to goods traffic)
13 November 1961 (to freight traffic)
4 May 1964 (to all traffic)
Mid-Wales RailwayCambrian RailwaysLlanidloes to Brecon31 December 1962
Mold and Denbigh Junction RailwayM&DJR Co30 April 1962 (to passengers)
1968 (to freight)
1983-8 (to all traffic)
Mold RailwayMold to Chester1962 (to passengers)1983 (to all traffic)
Monmouthshire Railway and Canal Company
Moss Valley BranchGWRMoss Valley Junction to Moss Halt1 January 1931 (to passengers)18 August 1983 (to all traffic)
Neath and Brecon RailwayGreat Western RailwayBrecon to Neath31 Dec 1962 Part of the line remains open from Swansea District Line via Jersey Marine South Junction to Onllwyn
Newcastle Emlyn branch lineGWR (Carmarthen and Cardigan Railway)Pencader to Newcastle Emlyn, via Llandyssul and Henllan1965 (to passengers)
1973 (to all traffic)
Part of the former branch re-laid as Narrow Gauge, forming the Teifi Valley Railway.
Newport, Abergavenny and Hereford RailwayLondon & North Western Railway/GWRHereford to Quakers Yard, via Crumlin, Hengoed and Penallta Junction 9 June 1958 (to goods traffic)
Newtown to Brecon LineMid-Wales Railway
GWR
31 Dec 1962 (Completely closed as a through route north of Talyllyn & Three Cocks Junctions)
Ogmore and Llynvi Valley linesGreat Western Rly1958 to passenger traffic
Pontcysyllte BranchGWR1931 (to passengers)1968 (to all traffic)
Rhondda and Swansea Bay RailwayGreat Western RailwaySwansea to Treherbert,
via Aberavon Town and Blaengwynfi
1962 (to regular traffic)
1983 (to all traffic)
Part of the R&SBR still extant as part of the National Network,

Whilst most of the majority of the latter, between Briton Ferry and Treherbert remains completely closed.

The section of the line between Pontypridd and Treherbert also still open as the Local-Commuter Rhondda Line.
Ruabon–Barmouth lineGreat Western RailwayRuabon to Barmouth
(via Llangollen, Glyndyfrydwy, Corwen, Llandderfel, Bala and Dolgellau)
1964–5 (to passengers)
1968 (to all traffic)
Two stretches (of the former line) now preserved, as the
Llangollen Railway (between Corwen and Llangollen, via Carrog, Glyndyfrydwy and Berwyn), A total of 10miles in length, and the
Bala Lake Railway (between Llanuwchllyn and Bala, via Pentrepiod and Llangower), A total of NaNmiles in length.
Swansea and Mumbles Railway    
Swansea Vale RailwaySwansea to Abercrave, Brynamman1965 (to passengers)1983 (to all traffic)
Tanat Valley Light RailwayCambrian Railways15 September 1951 (to passengers)December 1960 (to all traffic)
Tondu to Blaengarw lineGWR?Tondu to Blaengarw (via Brynmenyn, Pontyrhyl and Pontycymmer)Closed in 1955 (to passengers)
1997 (to freight)
Most of the line now being restored as the
Garw Valley Railway.
Vale of Clwyd Railway    
Vale of Neath RailwayGreat Western RailwayNeath to Merthyr Tydfil, via Gelli Tarw Junction and Quakers YardPart of the line still exists
Vale of Rheidol RailwayCambrian RailwaysPrivatised in 1989, heritage railway services continued
Welshpool and Llanfair Light RailwayWelshpool to Llanfair9 February 1931 (to passengers)5 November 1956 (to freight)Reopened as heritage railway in 1963
Wrexham and Ellesmere RailwayCambrian Railways (GWR)Ellesmere to Wrexham, via Overton-on-Dee, Bangor-on-Dee and Hightown1962–3 (to all traffic)
Wrexham and Minera RailwayGreat Western Railway 1970–2 (to all traffic)
Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay RailwayGreat Western RailwayWrexham to Connah's Quay, via Gwernsyltt, Cefn-y-Bedd, Penyffordd and Buckley JunctionBetween Wrexham and Mold, via Llanfynydd en-routeMost of the line (Wrexham to Shotton) still open
Wye Valley lineWVRChepstow to Monmouth4 January 1964Passenger Services were withdrawn on 4 January 1959.
Freight trains carrying Limestone to Dayhouse Quarries continued until 1992.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Morrison, Brian . Modern Railways Pictorial, 1986 . The Meldon Quarry Branch . 16 . Ian Allan . 0-7110-1510-4 .
  2. News: Knights. David. Cullingworth councillors check out state of Great Northern RailwayTrail following nearby building work. 26 September 2017. Keighley News. 22 September 2016.
  3. Book: Peters, Ivo. The Somerset and Dorset – An English Cross Country Railway . Oxford Publishing Company . 1974. 0-902888-33-1.
  4. News: MP calls for reopening of York to Beverley rail line. York Press. 5 January 2018.
  5. News: East Riding Council takes first step to reopening York to Beverley railway line. 2 June 2020. The Yorkshire Post.
  6. B. M. Handley and R. Dingwall, The Wye Valley Railway and the Coleford Branch, 1982,