Calne to Hungerford – a missing link in Eastern Wiltshire

 

By invitation only.
Summons to Briefing

Briefing location : Marlborough College, Combined Cadet Force Hut

Date and time : 30th February, 1940, 09:00

Normal "Top Secret" rules apply.

RSVP

 

Briefing Introduction

 

Right chaps, glad you all got the invitations, you all know each other, so stand easy and gather round.

 

Firstly, a hearty “thank you” to the Headmaster, Francis Melville Heywood, whom I’m sure several are already familiar with, from your time here with the Combined Cadet Force, before joining the Army. We are most grateful for the loan of this CCF hut as a planning HQ.

 

I don’t need to tell you, Britain is in a state of high alert. Besides the many new RAF airfields rapidly being constructed, many new training stations and supplies depots are needed. The Americans have yet to teach us the word “logistics”, so we’re keeping calm and carrying on with “supplies” and “distribution”.

 

Officially, the M&SWJR here in Marlborough is already an important line for military supplies from the Midlands and further north, via Cheltenham and Tidworth to southern ports. An urgent order has been sent to us from the War Cabinet, to close the gap between Calne and Marlborough. Just as a precautionary measure, you understand, and to enable a diversionary route from Chippenham for supplies and troop movements from the West of England.

 

Unofficially (and allegedly) the Home Office is also very worried by the high volume of C & T Harris’ sausages and pork pies that are (cough) “disappearing” between Calne and Chippenham. It is felt that a new line, under military supervision will safeguard this vital national asset.

 

We now have a little slide show, to show you the proposed route.

 

Lights? Slide one please?

 

 

Thank you.

 

The route will be constructed in four sections:

Calne to Yatesbury

Yatesbury to Avebury

Avebury to Lockeridge

Lockeridge to Marlborough

 

Next slide please.

 

Section 1 : Calne to Yatesbury

 

The newly-built RAF station closest to Calne is RAF Compton Bassett, for top-secret radar and ground wireless training.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Compton_Bassett

 

 

On higher ground further east is RAF Yatesbury, an operational airfield for pilot training as well as airbourne wireless training.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Yatesbury

 

 

The main engineering challenge on this section is the steepness of the escarpment, from the lower ground around Calne, climbing up to the higher ground around Yatesbury. Our engineering team, however, has already carefully surveyed the route, and - this is most important – they assure us that the ruling gradient will be no steeper that that already in situ on Caen Hill and the similar ascent from Seend towards Devizes.

 

Here is the first section of the proposed route, as an extension from the existing Calne Station.

 

 

To optimise the handling of military traffic, two stations with passing loops will be provided at Compton Bassett and Yatesbury, with additional sidings as circumstances will demand and permit.

 

(Noises off)

What's that? Ah, excellent, it's Mrs Miggins with her tea trolley. A short tea break gentlemen?

 

@The Johnster  commended

Whilst sipping my cup of Mrs. Miggins' excellent tea, it occurred to me that the War Cabinet may also be considering extending the proposed new line along the Kennet Valley east of Marlborough to make a junction with the West of England main line at Hungerford, with passing stations at Axford and Ramsbury, and have not made this known to us at this time, but that we should prepare ourselves for this eventuality. The passing loops will need to be capable of handling 'full length' 60-wagon trains for war traffic, and the route, though single line, will need to be contructed for the GWR's 'red' route availability.

Such a route will have useful diversionary capabilities for both the GWML and the WoEML, further reason to make it capable of handling the heaviest locomotives, such as KIngs and 47xx.  I would suggest arranging for the passing loops to be signalled for use bi-directionally, and one loop laid out in each case for fast through running with automatic token exchange equipment. I would strongly reccomend building the formation to be capable of carrying double track throughout should this be required in future.  It will be the first new railway constructed to main line standards in this country for nearly twenty years, and we are honoured to be asked to assist in it's planning.

Mrs Miggins has asked me to request that you put your empty cups on the tray by the door for her to collect later.

Carry on and Don't Panic...

 

I mustn't forget to talk to our colleagues in the Royal Ordnance. Mrs Miggins's recipe for rock cakes might be useful as emergency replacements for hand grenades. Talking of rocks, it's now time for section two.

 

Section 2 : Yatesbury to Avebury

 

Engineering-wise, gentlemen, this appears to be a fairly simple section, with no significantly steep gradients. Our main concern is one of Ancient Rights. The brethren of the Ancient Order of Druids (GWR Chapter) have already approved a suggested route that avoids Avebury itself, and also Silbury Hill. Instead, it will go through Avebury Trusloe. For their blessings and goodwill, we will also provide sufficient space for a station for the eagerly-anticipated Druidic University of Avebury (so mote it be).

 

 

Important Note:

The actual position of the station in Avebury Trusloe may need reviewing or revising, as we have just been asked to make provision for the North & South Wiltshire Railway (N&SWR) between Swindon and Salisbury.

 

Section 3 : Avebury to Lockeridge.

 

This section is the only one that requires the construction of any bridges and cuttings.

 

In order, from Avebury towards Lockeridge:

500 yards east of Silbury, a bridge to cross the River Kennett and the A4 road.

Two bridges near East Kennett, also to cross the River Kennett.

Two bridges, one north-west and one north-east of Lockeridge, again to cross the River Kennett.

 

 

Otherwise the route follows the contour of the land, with one cutting required between West Overton and Lockeridge. Drainage close to the river is not a significant problem, as these chalk valleys drain relatively quickly. It is now several thousand years since Neolithic times, when (it is suggested) water levels were much higher and the Kennett was a navigable river all the way to Avebury.

We are fortunate that there is at hand in the Kennett valley a plentiful supply of Sarcen stones. These are deemed of little value by local farmers and landowners; they are largely an impediment to the application of mechanised agriculture, and the farmers would welcome their removal. Some may be used for bridge foundations, likewise some may be used for the foundations of the Druidic University. The Druids themselves have advised us they are not planning any extensions to Avebury or Stonehenge that would make a claim on these materials.

 

@The Johnster commended

This is welcome news. Trust me, you don't want to mess with the Druids, any Welshman will tell you that. The route is bound to impinge on some ancient sites, though; impossible not to in this locality! A point not yet addressed is general mechandise goods facilities at the passing stations. These, if provided, need to be separate from any siding facilities in connection with the war traffic, and will probably need end-loading docks to cater for probably future military traffic 'for the duration'.

 

Section 4 : Lockeridge to Marlborough

 

As before, the route follows the line of the Kennett valley, with a gentle rise from Clatford, past Manton, to join the existing M&SWJR railway at Marlborough station. The existing line is shown in red.

 

 

Regarding Major Johnsters comments (above):

 

Our esteemed colleague is astonishingly foresightful, as additional orders have indeed just been received from the War Cabinet. We have instructed the surveying team to proceed east along the Kennett Valley, and to prepare proposals for a suitable route. As time is of the essense, Mrs Miggins will equip them with packed meals, including some of her most excellent pork pies.

 

Comment from @Northroader

 

One thing that will have to be established is the crossing point with Mikkel’s “Farthing” line:

 

 

Ref: How to eat an elephant

 

We will now pause for luncheon, also provided by Mrs Miggins.