Seaford Branch Line

Seaford branch line
Looking out toward Seaford from Newhaven Harbour
Overview
Type	Heavy rail
System	National Rail
Status	Operational
Locale	East Sussex South East England
Termini	Southerham Junction Seaford
Stations	5
Services	Southerham Junction–Seaford Branch to Newhaven Marine (station closed)
Operation
Opened	1864
Owner	Network Rail
Operator(s)	Southern
Character	Rural
Rolling stock	Class 313 Class 377 "Electrostar"
Technical
Line length	7 miles 66 chains (12.59 km)
Number of tracks	2 (Southerham Junction–Newhaven Harbour) 1 (Newhaven Harbour–Seaford)
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC Third Rail

The Seaford branch line is a rural railway line in East Sussex constructed in 1864 primarily to serve the port of Newhaven and the town of Seaford. It now sees fairly regular trains across the line except for the Newhaven Marine branch, which is still technically open but is fenced off from the public and not on any timetables.

Engineered by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway's Chief Engineer Frederick Banister, the first section of the line was opened in 1847 to aid the transport of goods to and from Newhaven. The line was extended in 1864 to serve the holiday town of Seaford. There used to be extensive sidings at Newhaven Docks and even a railway swing bridge over the River Ouse to connect to the other side. These have now been removed or have become overgrown, as has the defunct Newhaven Marine station, which has been fenced off from the public. Once a thriving station serving ferries to and from France, the walk of just under 1/4 mile to Newhaven Harbour station and the cessation of winter ferries forced its closure. The line was electrified (750 V DC third rail) by the Southern Railway in 1935. The line between Newhaven Harbour and Seaford was reduced to single track to save costs in 1975.