The
Midland & South Western Junction Railway (continued). This
second selection of photographs from this bygone cross-country line
features the section from Chiseldon to Marlborough in Wiltshire, which
has been a popular multi use trail since the late 1980s. |
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Above:
Parsonage Farm Bridge, seen here, is situated just north
of Chiseldon station. The trackbed above the arch is now used as
a private drive, while a public bridleway passes underneath. The
bridleway leads to NCN45, which links Chiseldon and Swindon via
some of the old trackbed between here and the M4. 23rd October 2014
(Rob Davidson) |
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Above:
The Elm Tree pub at the foot of Chiseldon's Stroud's Hill
must once have enjoyed some trade from the railway station opposite,
but that has long gone. According to the website of The Swindon Advertiser,
'The former Elm Tree pub, now a private residence, was originally
a thatched beer house, dating back to 1845, and named after the elm
tree which stood next to the village green (the site of the Chiseldon
Station) until the 1970s'. 23rd October 2014. (Rob Davidson) |
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Above:
This weathered piece of masonry looks for all the world as
if it might be part of some old mediaeval fortification, but it is
actually part of the abutment which once supported a bridge that carried
Chiseldon's High Street over the south end of the village station.
23rd October 2014. (Rob Davidson) |
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Above:
South of Ogbourne St. George, this gangers' hut remains intact
on the west side of the trackbed, although – unsurprisingly–
bereft of all glazing. Its construction suggests that it was built
in the 1940s when the line was used for military traffic to Southampton.
23rd October 2014. (Rob Davidson) |
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Above:
Inside, the permanent way hut is remarkably dry and, as can
be seen, the fireplace survives intact. Little trackside buildings
like this were once commonplace on Britain's railways, and were used
by the teams of gangers who used to maintain the track. 23rd October
2014. (Rob Davidson) |
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Above:
This former underbridge (grid reference SU 191722) at Poulton
Down Farm near Ogbourne St. Andrew reveals a mixture of original facing
stones and 1940s brickwork, and is fairly typical of the bridges –
both extant and removed – between Chiseldon and Marlborough.
Notice how low the railway embankment is at this point; it is little
wonder that it was removed! 27th November 2014. (Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
Rabley Lane Bridge (grid reference SU 197697) retains some
fine stone abutments and wing walls – very necessary to support
the high embankment here – but the concrete span has to be part
of the 1940s strengthening works on the line. 27th September 2014.
(Jeff Vinter) |
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Above:
A view of Poulton Farm Bridge (grid reference SU 200695)
as the railway path approaches Marlborough. At this point, the railway
is about to start a long horseshoe curve which took the line from
a south-east to north-west bearing and led into Marlborough's M&SWJR
station; the company's arch rival, the GWR, also had a station there.
27th September 2014. (Jeff Vinter) |