Trivia: Longest Single-Track Route in England?

[Kite159]

Coming back along the Cotswold line earlier today I have a thought, what is the longest route which is classed as Single Track with passing loops in, or parts of a route which is single track, England, for example the West of England line between Exeter and Salisbury.

Searching google seemed to bring up a slightly outdated history of the British railways travel wikipedia page, answers for the UK (which I would guess will be something like the Kyle Line in the highlands) or answers for New England.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

The Newquay branch might be in with a shout, being simply a long siding!

 

[thealexweb]

Bolton to Blackburn? Little of that is double only a few passing loops.

 

[O L Leigh]

How long is "long"? Would Chippenham Junction to Coldhams Lane Junction (Newmarket to Cambridge) count? There's only the one loop at Dullingham. What about the East Suffolk line?

O L Leigh

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Bolton to Blackburn? Little of that is double only a few passing loops.

From Bolton Station to Blackburn Bolton Jn, a total of 10m67c is single track, whilst 2m51c is double; the longest single being Bromley Cross-Darwen at 6m22c.

It's not the longest single in Lancashire though - Gannow Jn-Colne is marginally longer at 6m34c; and Kirkham North Jn-Blackpool South is considerably longer at 11m44c; neither of whilch have crossing loops at all.

The longest single track only section I can be bothered to find right now is Craven Arms-Welshpool at over 18 miles.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

None of these will win, but they are probably worth a mention:

Princes Risborough - Aylesbury: 7 miles.

Hatton - Bearley Junction: 5.5 miles

Coventry - Leamington Spa: 9.5 miles. There is a passing loop at Kenilworth and it's double track for a while at either end. Maybe 7 miles or so of actual single line?


It wasn't that long ago that Princes Risborough to Aynho Junction was single line either. That's 27.5 miles.

 

[bnm]

West Somerset Railway?

 

[class26]

Coming back along the Cotswold line earlier today I have a thought, what is the longest route which is classed as Single Track with passing loops in, or parts of a route which is single track, England, for example the West of England line between Exeter and Salisbury.

Searching google seemed to bring up a slightly outdated history of the British railways travel wikipedia page, answers for the UK (which I would guess will be something like the Kyle Line in the highlands) or answers for New England.

Far north line is much longer than the Kyle line

 

[Springs Branch]

If we're just talking about England, there's the Middlesborough - Whitby branch at 35 miles 12 chains (single, with two passing loops plus a reversal at Battersby). The longest single line section on the Whitby line is Glaisdale to Battersby at 14mi 47ch.

In Wales, there's obviously the unbeatable Cambrian route, just under 118 miles from Sutton Bridge Jn (Shrewsbury) to Pwllheli.

 

[merlodlliw]

If we're just talking about England, there's the Middlesborough - Whitby branch at 35 miles 12 chains (single, with two passing loops plus a reversal at Battersby). The longest single line section on the Whitby line is Glaisdale to Battersby at 14mi 47ch.

In Wales, there's obviously the unbeatable Cambrian route, just under 118 miles from Sutton Bridge Jn (Shrewsbury) to Pwllheli.

The heart Of Wales will take some beating as well.

 

[Rapidash]

Exeter - Barnstaple = 39 miles.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Exeter - Barnstaple = 39 miles.

Yes in England that or the Whitby line are the two contenders.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

From Bolton Station to Blackburn Bolton Jn, a total of 10m67c is single track, whilst 2m51c is double; the longest single being Bromley Cross-Darwen at 6m22c.

It's not the longest single in Lancashire though - Gannow Jn-Colne is marginally longer at 6m34c; and Kirkham North Jn-Blackpool South is considerably longer at 11m44c; neither of whilch have crossing loops at all.

The longest single track only section I can be bothered to find right now is Craven Arms-Welshpool at over 18 miles.

That route only got as far as Lydham Heath with a reversal to Bishops Castle that closed in the early 1930's
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The heart Of Wales will take some beating as well.

Craven Arms to Morlais Junction is 85 miles and 4 chains.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

If we're just talking about England, there's the Middlesborough - Whitby branch at 35 miles 12 chains (single, with two passing loops plus a reversal at Battersby). The longest single line section on the Whitby line is Glaisdale to Battersby at 14mi 47ch.

In Wales, there's obviously the unbeatable Cambrian route, just under 118 miles from Sutton Bridge Jn (Shrewsbury) to Pwllheli.

The OP asked about single track routes the Cambrian mainline has had some of its double track restored between Welshpool 33m 70ch and Fron 36m 60ch so Shrewsbury to Aberysytwyth doesn't count! However Dovey 78m 60ch
Junction to Pwllheli 132m 70ch is a good 54 miles.

Cambrian mileages are still recorded west of Buttington Junction as from Whitchurch (Shropshire) the original Cambrian mainline, the 95 and iii mileage post is next to the buffer stops at Aberystwyth. Sutton Bridge Junction to The former Buttington Junction is 16m 19ch.

 

[drinnicksiding]

Surely the most significant would be the longest single track stretches between passing loops. Whilst Exeter to Barnstaple is long, the passing loops allow an hourly service. The Newquay branch is shorter overall, but Newquay to Goonbarrow has no passing place and is slightly too long to facilitate an hourly service