Railway development in Hampshire was dominated by its closeness to London and the need to gain access to the south coast and the Isle of Wight. The expansion of the port of Southampton, and the presence of large numbers of military personnel in Portsmouth and Aldershot also played a major role, as did the rise of seaside resorts like Bournemouth and Southsea.
One company pre-dominated in Hampshire... the London and South Western. With over 966 miles of route by 1911, the LWSR was a major player, carrying more passengers than many of its competitors. These included the Great Western Railway (GWR) in the north and west of Hampshire, and the London, Brighton and South Coast in the east. Rivalry with the GWR was particularly fierce, especially over the race to the West Country. LSWR routes eventually extended from Padstow in Cornwall to London Waterloo. The company became part of Southern Railways in 1923 after the Railway Act, prior to nationalisation in 1948.
ANDOVER AND REDBRIDGE RAILWAY-THE SPRAT AND WINKLE LINE
Authorised 1858, Opened 1865, New course laid 1885
Operating companies: Andover and Redbridge Railway 1858-1863, London and South Western Railway 1863-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Stations and junctions: Andover Junction, Andover Town, Clatford Fullerton Junction, Stockbridge, Horsebridge, Mottisfont, Kimbridge, Romsey, Nursling, Redbridge
BASINGSTOKE AND ALTON LIGHT RAILWAY
Opened 1901, Closed 1932 (Last train 1936)
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1898-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1936
Route: Basingstoke to Alton
Stations and junctions: Basingstoke, Cliddesden Herriard, Butts Junction, Alton
BASINGSTOKE AND SALISBURY RAILWAY
Authorised 1846, Opened 1854-57
Operating companies: Basingstoke and Salisbury Railway 1846-1849, London and South Western Railway 1849-1923
Route Basingstoke to Salisbury via Andover
Stations and junctions: Basingstoke, Worting Junction, Oakley, Overton, Whitchurch, Hurstbourne, Andover Junction Andover, Red Post Junction, Grateley, Newton Tony Junction, Salisbury
BENTLEY TO BORDEN LIGHT RAILWAY
Authorised 1902, Opened: 1905. Closed 4 April 1966
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1902-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Bentley to Borden Camp
Stations and junctions: Bentley, Kingsley, Bordon
BERKSHIRE AND HAMPSHIRE RAILWAY
Authorised 1845, Opened 1848
Operating companies: Berkshire and Hampshire Railway 1845, Great Western Railway 1846-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Reading to Basingstoke.
Stations and junctions: Reading Mortimer (Berks), Bramley, Basingstoke.
BISHOPS WALTHAM RAILWAY
Authorised 1862, Opened 1863, Closed 1932
Operating companies: Bishops Waltham Railway 1862 - 1863, London and South Western Railway 1863 - 1923, Southern Railway 1923 - 1932
Route: Botley to Bishops Waltham
Stations and junctions: Botley, Bishops Waltham
BISHOPSTOKE TO GOSPORT BRANCH RAILWAY
Authorised 1839, Opened 1841, Closed 1969
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1841-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railway 1948-
Route: Bishopstoke to Gosport via Fareham
Stations and junctions: Eastleigh,Bishopstoke, Botley, Knowle Junction, Fareham Fort, Brockhurst, Lees Lane, Gosport Junction, Gosport Station
BROCKENHURST TO CHRISTCHURCH BRANCH RAILWAY
Opened 1888
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1888-1923, Southern Railways 1923-1948
British Railways 1948-
Route: Brockenhurst to Christchurch via Sway
Stations and junctions: Brockenhurst, Lymington Junction, Sway, New Milton, Hinton Admiral, Christchurch.
CHICHESTER TO PORTSMOUTH BRANCH RAILWAY
Authorised 1845, Opened 1847
Operating companies: London, Brighton and South Coast Railway 1847, London and South Western Railway 1847-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948 , British Rail 1948-
Route: Chichester to Portsmouth via Havant
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Emsworth, Warblington Hall, Bedhampton, Havant, Cosham Junction, Hilsea, Fratton, Portsmouth, Southsea.
DIDCOT, NEWBURY AND SOUTHAMPTON RAILWAY
Authorised 1873, Opened 1885 (Linked to London South Western Railway 1891)
Operating companies: Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway 1885-1923, Great Western Railway 1923-1948
British Railways 1948-
Route: Didcot to Winchester via Newbury and Highclere
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Woodhay, Burghclere, Litchfield, Whitchurch, Whitchurch Town, Sutton Scotney, Worthy Down Hall, Kingsworthy, Winchester Chesil, Shawford Junction
FAREHAM TO COSHAM BRANCH RAILWAY
Opened 1848
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1848-1923. Southern Railway 1923-1948. British Railways 1948-
Route: Fareham to Cosham via Portchester
Stations and junctions: Fareham, Portchester, Cosham, Cosham Junction
FARNHAM TO ALTON BRANCH RAILWAY
Opened 1852
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1852-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Guildford to Alton via Farnham
Stations and junctions: Guildford, Ash Vale, Aldershot, Farnham, Bentley, Alton
HAYLING RAILWAY
Authorised 1860, Opened 1865-1867
Operating companies: Hayling Railway 1860-1871, Brighton and South Coast Railway 1871-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Havant to Hayling Island
Stations and junctions: Havant, Langstone, North Hayling, Hayling Island
LEE-ON-THE-SOLENT LIGHT RAILWAY
Authorised 1893, Opened 1894, Closed 1931 (passengers) 1935 (goods)
Operating companies: Lee-on-the-Solent Light Railway 1893, London and South Western Railway 1893-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1935
Route: Fort Brockhurst to Lee-on-the-Solent
Stations and junctions: Fort Brockhurst, Privett, Browndown Halt, Lee-on-the-Solent
LONDON AND SALISBURY JUNCTION RAILWAY
Plans published 1838, but the railway was never built
LONDON AND SOUTHAMPTON RAILWAY
Authorised 1834, Opened 1838-1840
Operating companies: London and Southampton Railway 1834-1839, London and South Western Railway 1839-1923
Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948 -
Route: London to Southampton via Basingstoke,
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire only) Farnborough, Bramshott, Winchfield, Hook, Basingstoke, Worting Junction, Micheldever, Kings Worthy Junction, Winchester, Shawford Junction, Shawford, Eastleigh, Southampton Parkway, Swaythling, St Denys (Portswood pre-1876) Northam Junction, Southampton Terminus
LONGMOOR MILITARY RAILWAY
Authorised 1902, Opened 1907, Closed 1969
Operating companies: Military railway built and operated by Royal Engineers
Route: Bordon and Liss to Longmoor Military Camp
Stations and junctions: Bordon, Whitehill Junction, Longmoor Camp, Liss Forest, Liss Junction
LYMINGTON RAILWAY
Authorised 1856, Opened 1858
Operating companies: Lymington Railway 1856 1878, London and South Western Railway 1878-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Lymington Junction Brockenhurst to Lymington Ferry
Stations and junctions: Lymington Junction, Brockenhurst, Lymington Town, Lymington and Pennington, Lymington Pier Station
MEON VALLEY BRANCH RAILWAY
Authorised 1897, Opened 1903, Closed 1955
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1897-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Alton to Fareham via Droxford
Stations and junctions: Alton, Butts Junction, Tisted, Privett, West Meon, Droxford, Wickham, Knowle Junction, Fareham.
MID HANTS RAILWAY
Authorised 1861, Opened 1865
Operating companies: Alton, Alresford and Winchester Railway 1861-1884, London and South Western Railway 1884-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948
Route: Alton to Winchester via Alresford.
Stations and junctions: Alton, Butts Junction Alton, Medstead, Ropley, Alresford, Itchen Abbas, Kings Worthy Junction, Winchester
Alresford and Ropley reopened as a preserved railway in 1977, Medstead and Four Marks came back into service in 1983 and Alton was reached in 1985 as the line reached its max length-Alresford to Alton
PARK PREWETT HOSPITAL RAILWAY
Built 1913, Closed 1954
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1913-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-1954
Route: Basingstoke to Park Prewett Hospital
Stations and junction: Basingstoke, Park Prewett Hospital
PETERSFIELD RAILWAY
Authorised 1860, Opened 1864
Operating companies: Petersfield Railway Company 1860-1863, London and South Western Railway 1863-1923, Southern Railways 1923-1948, British Railways 1948 -
Route: Midhurst to Petersfield
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Petersfield
PORTSMOUTH RAILWAY
Authorised: 1853, Opened 1859
Operating companies: Portsmouth Railway Company 1853-1859, London and South Western Railway 1859-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Godalming to Havant
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Liphook, Liss Junction, Liss, Petersfield, Rowlands Castle, Havant
PORTSMOUTH WATERSIDE EXTENSION RAILWAY
Opened 1876
Operating companies: London, Brighton and South Coast Railway 1876-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Portsmouth and Southsea
Stations and junctions: Portsmouth Harbour
READING, GUILDFORD AND REIGATE RAILWAY
Authorised 1846, Opened 1849
Operating companies: Reading, Guildford and Reigate Railway 1846-1852, South Eastern Railway 1852-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Reading to Reigate via Farnborough
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Blackwater, Farnborough North, Rushmoor, North Camp Aldershot
RINGWOOD, CHRISTCHURCH AND BOURNEMOUTH RAILWAY
Authorised 1859, Opened 1862
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1859-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Ringwood to Bournemouth via Christchurch
Stations and junctions: (pre-1974 Hampshire only) Ringwood, Hurn, Christchurch, Pokesdown
ROYAL PIER EXTENSION RAILWAY
Authorised 1859, Opened 1862
Operating companies: London and South Western Railway 1859-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Ringwood to Bournemouth via Christchurch
Stations and junctions: (pre-1974 Hampshire only) Ringwood, Hurn, Christchurch, Pokesdown
There were various branch lines laid from both Southampton Terminus and Southampton West stations into the docks, both for the conveyance of troops and materials in wartime and the transport of material for dock construction. For more information on these lines, see Bert Moody, Southampton's Railways, Poole Waterfront Publications, 1992.
SALISBURY AND DORSET JUNCTION RAILWAY
Authorised 1861, Opened 1866 ,
Operating companies: Salisbury and Dorset Junction Railway 1861-1883, London and South Western Railway 1883-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Salisbury to Poole via Fordingbridge
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire Section) Breamore, Fordingbridge, Alderholt, Verwood
SOUTHAMPTON AND DORCHESTER RAILWAY
Authorised 1845, Opened 1847
Operating companies: Southampton and Dorchester Railways 1845-1848, London and South Western Railway 1848-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Southampton to Dorchester via Ringwood,
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire section only) Northam Junction, Southampton, West End, Millbrook, Redbridge, Totton, Totton and Eling Junction, Lyndhurst Road, Beaulieu Road, Brockenhurst, Lymington Junction, Holmsley, Ringwood.
SOUTHAMPTON AND NETLEY RAILWAY
Authorised 1861, Opened 1866
Operating companies: Southampton and Netley Railway 1861-1864, London and South Western Railway 1864-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Southampton to Fareham via Netley
Stations and junctions: St Denys, Hound, Bitterne, Hambledon, Woolston, Bursledon, Sholing, Swanwick, Netley, Fareham
SOUTHSEA RAILWAY
Authorised 1880, Opened 1885
Operating companies: Southsea Railway Company London and South Western Railway 1883-1914, Jointly owned with the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway 1883-1914,
Route: Fratton to Southsea
Stations and junctions: Fratton East, Southsea Station
STOKES BAY RAILWAY AND PIER RAILWAY
Authorised 1855, Opened 1863
Operating companies: Stokes Bay Railway and Pier Company 1855-1875, London and South Western Railway 1860-1922
Route: Gosport to Stokes Bay
Stations and junctions: Gosport Junction, Stokes Bay Junction, Stokes Bay Pier Station
SWINDON, GRAYTON AND MARLBOROUGH RAILWAY
Authorised 1873, Opened 1883
Operating companies: Swindon, Grafton and Marlborough Railway 1873-1884, Midland and South Western Railway Junction 1884-1923, Great Western Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Swindon to Andover Junction via Marlborough
Stations and junctions: (Hampshire only) Weyhill, Red Post Junction, Andover
TOTTON, HYTHE AND FAWLEY LIGHT RAILWAY
Authorised 1903, Opened 1925
Operating companies: Totton, Hythe and Fawley Light Railway 1921-1923, Southern Railway 1923-1948, British Railways 1948-
Route: Totton to Fawley
Stations and junctions: Totton and Eling Junction, Hythe, Fawley