Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway

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The Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway was incorporated in 1859 to build a railway to link Ringwood, in Hampshire, with Christchurch.

The route opened in 1862. It followed the River Avon and there were two intermediate stations, Hearne (or Hurn) and Avon Lodge, the latter being a private station for the use of the Earl of Egmont. The line was extended to the growing seaside town of Bournemouth in 1870 and more stations were added at Pokesdown, in 1886, and Boscombe in 1897. The route was a difficult one with a 25 miles per hour speed restrictions on the severe grades and curves but, without a competing route into Bournemouth, it prospered.

The services were operated by the London and South Western Railway and on 1st January 1874, the Ringwood, Christchurch and Bournemouth Railway amalgamated with the larger company.

As Bournemouth grew, it attracted another, shorter and faster, rail route along the coast from Lymington and, in 1935 the line between Ringwood and Christchurch was closed.