Alex Coomber
The New Forest. Brockenhurst to Poole via Ringwood. Opened in 1874. Closed in 1964. Brockenhurst, Holmsley, Ringwood, Ashley Heath Halt, West Moors, Wimborne, Broadstone Junction and Poole. Nicknamed Castlemans Corkscrew after its principal promoter and its subsequent meandering route across The New Forest. The Brockenhurst to Poole Railway lost its importance as a through route between Southampton and Weymouth with the opening of a more direct route via Bournemouth in 1893. Despite this it came to life on Summer Saturdays when it was used as a diversionary route for holiday trains. But this all ended in 1964 with its closure. Today much of its route across the open heathland and woodland of the New Forest National Park can be enjoyed by Walkers, Cyclists and Horse Riders.
