THE RAILWAYS OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND: INDEPENDENT AND LIGHT RAILWAYS

Last Updated on April 23, 2026

THE RAILWAYS OF SOUTHERN ENGLAND: INDEPENDENT AND LIGHT RAILWAYS. By Edwin Course

The railway companies and lines which were formed and built following the Light Railways Act of 1896 had a character all of their own. Whilst the gauge of the light railways was most often the same as that of the major companies, and that of the independent lines was a mixture of widths, both types had an individuality of locomotives and stock which makes them perhaps even more interesting than the main arteries which usually they served.

In his first book The Railways of Southern England: The Main Lines, Edwin Course covered 462 miles of main line and 209 passenger stations; the second volume, The Secondary and Branch Lines, detailed over 450 miles and 128 stations.

This book reports on 91 miles of independent or light railways and 80 stations but additionally includes descriptions of a number of railways not open to the general public, such as the Chattenden and Upnor line, and the line to Hellingly Mental Hospital. For the private railways a selective approach has been adopted but for the independent lines Edwin Course again provides detailed diagrams and full historical, archaeological and geographical descriptions.

Primarily intended as a traveller’s companion for those who enjoy looking at railways and the sites of railways, this book, like its predecessors, can be read at home. But the ideal reader will wish to see what is left of the lines described, even though he may no longer be able to reach them by train.

Edwin Course is Senior Lecturer in ExtraMural Studies at the University of Southampton where he lectures on transport history and industrial archaeology. Additionally his talks to societies and adult classes have made him one of the best known names in enthusiast circles. A contributor to the railway magazines, Dr Course is the author of many booklets and of the two companion volumes to this book.

The jacket illustration shows the locomotive ‘Sutton’ operating on the Kent & East

Sussex Railway.

208 pages

46 photographs

7 maps and diagrams

A BATSFORD BOOK

This book was previously for sale at Margot’s Books. The shop is now closed — this post is kept as an archive record only.