A group of people are trying to re-open the old Didcot Newbury and Southampton railway on the basis that it would provide a new connection from the south to the midlands and northern England via a connection through Winchester and a susbequent connection to and through Basingstoke. It seems that although the Beeching cut was probably right at the time, now that we are looking for economies in distribution and reducing road transport and associated costs the rail route is looking more attractive.
I'm not sure where they think it will go as much of the original route around Newbury has been built on.
There are a few industrial units that have taken advantage of the rail closure but not too difficult once they get to the A4 by Skylings. They would neeed a new bridge across the A4, the original was knocked down years ago. The bit where it crosses under Hambridge Road (by the speed camera) the bridge is more or less still there, but a couple of low cost industrial units are square on the railway line and again, down by Kiln Road, the fleet management company are partly on it where it used to cross the river. You can still follow the old route if you Google Earth from the Boundary road bridge onwards. Interesting project perhaps.
Apparently there were pillars relating to a bridge over the A4 by the BP garage and they weren't knocked down until the late 80's. is this info correct?
Apparently there were pillars relating to a bridge over the A4 by the BP garage and they weren't knocked down until the late 80's. is this info correct?
That would be the Lambourn line, not the D, N & S - leading down to Speen station.
Apparently there were pillars relating to a bridge over the A4 by the BP garage and they weren't knocked down until the late 80's. is this info correct?
If you are talking about the BP garage by B&Q, you may be right. The bridge went across the A4 immediately to the East of Skylings and to the left of that row of tall houses that face the A4.
If you are talking about the BP garage by B&Q, you may be right. The bridge went across the A4 immediately to the East of Skylings and to the left of that row of tall houses that face the A4.
They certainly seem to be the one's i've been told about.
If the line came in at the east of Newbury from the north, where west of Newbury did it continue it's journey south?
If the line came in at the east of Newbury from the north, where west of Newbury did it continue it's journey south?
Take the Enborne Road out of Newbury. Just before you come to the Newbury By-pass you will cross an old Railway Bridge. That is where it continued it's journey south.
Take the Enborne Road out of Newbury. Just before you come to the Newbury By-pass you will cross an old Railway Bridge. That is where it continued it's journey south.
Doesn't the By-pass use some of the old track bed?
As far as the bypass being built on it, yes, some parts it were but if you have a look on google earth, there would be room alongside the road but I doubt this would ever happen as the cost would be astronomical and I'm not sure what the gain would be. After Enborne the train rattled on through Woodhay, Highclere, Burghclere, Litchfield, Whitchurch, Sutton Scotney, Wothy Down before traversing an elevated section parallel with the old Winchester by pass and so on through Winchester (Chesil) to the terminus at Eastleigh where one changed for stations south.
Apart from during the war, the DN&S split at Newbury. The train from Dicdot came into the platform where the Reading commuter sprinters stand now and the train to go south stood in a siding which has been filled in and is where the South Western station car park is now.
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