Coventry to Leamington line
Encyclopedia
The Coventry to Leamington Line is a railway line linking the city of Coventry
with the town of Leamington Spa
. The line was opened in 1844 by the LNWR. A connecting line to Berkswell opened in 1884.
The line currently serves two stations: Leamington Spa
and Coventry
with CrossCountry
services. There are also two former railway stations along the route:
During the late 19th century, most of the route was doubled to increase capacity. Only a small section just outside Kenilworth, at Gibbet Hill, remained single line working.
Today, most of the line is single track which limits the number of services using it. What remains of double track includes a passing loop
at Kenilworth, and the lines out from Coventry and Leamington Spa to Gibbet Hill Junction and Milverton respectively, the former being extended back from Park Junction (now removed) on 29 August 2007 by 1.75 miles.
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
with the town of Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington or Leam to locals, is a spa town in central Warwickshire, England. Formerly known as Leamington Priors, its expansion began following the popularisation of the medicinal qualities of its water by Dr Kerr in 1784, and by Dr Lambe...
. The line was opened in 1844 by the LNWR. A connecting line to Berkswell opened in 1884.
The line currently serves two stations: Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa railway station
Leamington Spa railway station serves the town of Leamington Spa, in Warwickshire, England. It is situated on Old Warwick Road towards the southern edge of the town centre.-History:...
and Coventry
Coventry railway station
Coventry railway station is situated about 250 yards to the south of junction 6 of the inner ring road in the city of Coventry, West Midlands, England...
with CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
services. There are also two former railway stations along the route:
- Leamington Spa (Milverton) for Warwick
This station was closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts. The station building was demolished some time later. Although the station land remains unoccupied, it is unlikely to be re-opened owing to its proximity to the main town station. - Kenilworth
This stationKenilworth railway stationKenilworth railway station on the Coventry to Leamington line was a railway station in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England, opened in 1844 and closed in 1965 under the Beeching Axe, when the line was closed to passengers. Passenger services over the line restarted in the 1980s but the station was not...
was also closed in 1965 as part of the Beeching cuts, but plans are in hand to rebuild and re-open the station.
During the late 19th century, most of the route was doubled to increase capacity. Only a small section just outside Kenilworth, at Gibbet Hill, remained single line working.
Today, most of the line is single track which limits the number of services using it. What remains of double track includes a passing loop
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
at Kenilworth, and the lines out from Coventry and Leamington Spa to Gibbet Hill Junction and Milverton respectively, the former being extended back from Park Junction (now removed) on 29 August 2007 by 1.75 miles.