Didcot Newbury & Southampton line

[tomparryharry]

I used to travel south on the A34 once a week  for several years. Depending on the seasons or mood swing I'd become angry at the devastation that still remains to this day. Going south at Tothill the railway took a deviation, as the trackbed rises out to cross underneath the old A34, about 1/2 mile south.  In winter, the die-back of foliage allows glimpses of the trackbed, all between 5=10 metres of the trunk road. 

 

I often wonder what is required to put it back? Not from a dewy-eyed romantic, but hard-bitten economists.  Running CoT with 4 on is a non-starter, a reinstated line of this capacity is high-speed; not for dawdling.

[KeithMacdonald]

The current A34 dual carriageway runs on (or very closely parallel) to the route of the disused railway from just south of Enbourne Junction, through Woodhay, until 1Km north of Highclere Station. It then follows the original A34 to Litchfield, where it joins the disused railway again, for about 5Km to Whitchurch.

 

 

[KeithMacdonald]

Highclere Station

 

With a goods/passing loop, two small sidings and a crane. Highclere itself was never a hive of industry. Its only claim to fame seems to be the setting of Downton Abbey (TV series). So presumably goods traffic here was the usual agricultural, cattle, horses, etc?

 

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[Joseph_Pestell]

On 26/06/2021 at 00:03, KeithMacdonald said:

 

Here's what the layout at Newbury Station looked like after the remodelling.

 

For a "big" station, Newbury is very modellable with road overbridges providing scenic breaks for various sized layouts.

[Nick Gough]

A much extended Highclere station building in 2004:

 

The former trackbed and platform:

 

Signal box:

[Nick Gough]

On the way to the next station:

 

Where I found:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mikkel]

Can't mention Highclere without a link to Julia's (a.k.a. @-missy-) superb 2mm layout: http://modelopolis.blogspot.com/2015/02/highclere-progress.html

[Nick Gough]

6 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

Can't mention Highclere without a link to Julia's (a.k.a. @-missy-) superb 2mm layout: http://modelopolis.blogspot.com/2015/02/highclere-progress.html

Very nice!

[-missy-]

16 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

Can't mention Highclere without a link to Julia's (a.k.a. @-missy-) superb 2mm layout: http://modelopolis.blogspot.com/2015/02/highclere-progress.html

 

Thanks Mikkel.

 

Ironically, Highclere Station was closer to Burghclere than Burghclere Station. It was something to do with the person living in Highclere castle at the time of construction wanting his own 'station', as payment for it running through his land. Not uncommon at the time.

 

Missy.

[KeithMacdonald]

@Nick Gough - nice pics!

 

I just love that Hampshire Highways still has a sign in place directing people towards Burghclere Station.

[KeithMacdonald]

Bang on cue ... Burghclere Station

 

Quote

It was furnished with the usual two platforms, station buildings (on the northbound platform) and passing loop and there were additional sidings on both sides of the line ...  goods shed, standard crane and cattle pen was also built next to the siding on the Northbound line.

 

 

 

So far, so fairly normal for a DN&S station.

But wait! What's that spur (bottom right)?

 

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Further private sidings on a curve to the south east servicing local lime kilns.

 

 

 

Something of a bonus! From the Derelict Places website, we learn more:
 

Quote

 

Burghclere Lime Kilns

The quarry and kilns were opened for operation in 1885 by Messers Forders. The quarries were taken over by the British Portland Cement Manufacturers Ltd in 1913. This company introduced two new kilns of German Manufacture from which lime emerged cold. The lime was taken out in sacks and transported by rail via the Didcot Newbury & Southampton Railway.

 

 

What kind of wagons would be used for "lime taken out in sacks"?

 

That also confirms what the map suggests.

 

Quote

Narrow gauge rails used in kiln wall construction - probably salvaged from the narrow gauge railway that was used on the site for transporting chalk from the quarry face

 

https://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/threads/burghclere-lime-kilns-pic-heavy.15406/

 

Has anyone ever seen any details on this narrow-gauge railway? I've not found any yet. Sadly, it doesn't even get a mention on the Wiki page on British quarrying and mining narrow-gauge railways.

 

What's most likely? Something like a Simplex loco?

https://simplex.avlr.org.uk/20-35.htm

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[Fat Controller]

2 hours ago, -missy- said:

 

Thanks Mikkel.

 

Ironically, Highclere Station was closer to Burghclere than Burghclere Station. It was something to do with the person living in Highclere castle at the time of construction wanting his own 'station', as payment for it running through his land. Not uncommon at the time.

 

Missy.

Lord Caernavon? Or was it those pesky rabbits?

[Mikkel]

Below is a photo of the goods shed at Burghclere in 1980, posted using the share-link from Blue-pelican-railway's Flickr account. 

 

It has been said elsewhere that the DN&SR goods sheds were uninspiring. I'm not sure I agree, I like the very simple design.

 

Source: Share-link from Blue-Pelican-Railway's Flickr profile.

 

There are more photos in Blue Pelican's "Hampshire" album - indeed that whole account is a treasure trove of photos: 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blue-pelican-railways/albums/with/72157651297367588

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by Mikkel

[KeithMacdonald]

Next section: Burghclere to Whitchurch, via Litchfield.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[DLT]

If you want to read about working and general life on the DN&S, seek out " Firing Days " and it's sequels, by Harold Gasson. 

He was a GW fireman, based at Didcot for many years, and spent a lot of his time on the DN&S.

Cheers, Dave.

[KeithMacdonald]

Litchfield

This is the one in Hampshire, not to be confused with Litchfield (Staffordshire)

 

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The station was originally built with two platforms and a passing loop in the same style as other stations on the route. However, low traffic resulted in the removal of the loop in 1936, only for a longer loop and the platform to be reinstated in 1943 to deal with wartime traffic. This was then removed again in 1955, only five years before the station's closure. There was a small siding and headshunt on the northbound line but goods traffic at the station was light.

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

 

 

 

The small goods yard with a crane and cattle pens completes what looks like a fairly standard DN&S station.

Is there anything we should mention about Litchfield?

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
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[KeithMacdonald]

Sharp-eyed folks will already have noticed the DN&S crosses the Southern's railway line before reaching Whitchurch Town station.

 

 

 

But Whitchurch had two stations. This is not the DN&S one.

 

 

 

But worth including because it shows the intended route for an interchange between the two (GWR and Southern). Why did it never get completed? Was it the rivalry between GWR and Southern? Would it have been too much like a "Templecombe" situation?

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

This is the DN&S's Whitchurch Town Station

 

Quote

The station was relatively large compared to others on this section of the line including a larger station building on the northbound platform and a subway to link the two platforms. There was also a long passing loop and three sidings complete with a large goods shed. The station also boasted a water crane and water tower.

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

 

That "subway to link the two platforms" is unusual - why that instead of the usual footbridge?

 

 

 

The Wikipaedia page for the station shows a picture with this caption : "LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T No. 41329 passes the station in the 1960s." Presumably that's the LMS design that became BR Standard Class 2 2-6-2T, not an actual LMS loco on GWR territory?

 

BRDatabase says

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16/09/1961 Reallocated to Eastleigh (71A)

https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=426254130&loco=41329

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
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[Joseph_Pestell]

10 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

Litchfield

This is the one in Hampshire, not to be confused with Litchfield (Staffordshire)

 

 

 

 

 

The small goods yard with a crane and cattle pens completes what looks like a fairly standard DN&S station.

 

Is there anything we should mention about Litchfield?

 

The one in Staffordshire does not have a t.

 

Not sure if it is still there, but the station building survived the new A34 with the canopy very close to the southbound carriageway.

[Enterprisingwestern]

10 hours ago, KeithMacdonald said:

This is the DN&S's Whitchurch Town Station

 

 

 

That "subway to link the two platforms" is unusual - why that instead of the usual footbridge?

 

The Wikipaedia page for the station shows a picture with this caption : "LMS Ivatt Class 2 2-6-2T No. 41329 passes the station in the 1960s." Presumably that's the LMS design that became BR Standard Class 2 2-6-2T, not an actual LMS loco on GWR territory?

 

BRDatabase says

https://www.brdatabase.info/locoqry.php?action=locodata&type=S&id=426254130&loco=41329

 

Now you're talking!

 

Mike.

[KeithMacdonald]

The next "section" is a long leg from Whitchurch to Sutton Scotney, with no intermediate stops.

 

 

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

Sutton Scotney

 

With the by-now familiar DN&S station layout.

 

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It was the last station to use the standard design station buildings on the southbound platform. As per most stations there was a passing loop and a single siding and the station did see considerable goods traffic from local farms including watercress and pigs.

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

 

 

 

Watercress is something I know a little about. It's one of those crops that has largely faded from living memory. It used to be grown much more widely in Wiltshire and Hampshire, in the chalk stream valleys, and not just along the Watercress Line. As a crop that grows for much of the year, it was especially useful early in the year before seasonal fruit and veg were available.

 

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A 100-gram serving of raw watercress provides 11 calories, is particularly rich in vitamin K (238% of the Daily Value, DV), and contains significant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, and manganese.

 

Quote

High in Vitamins C, A, K & B6, it also has a higher calcium content than milk and more potassium than a banana. It’s high in iron and is a source of protein. The vitamin C in watercress helps your body digest the iron, meaning that you get optimum nutrition.  Watercress has also been linked to anti-ageing processes, having anti-cancer properties and has shown it can support your gut health.

https://www.watercress.co.uk/blog/watercress-vs-cress

 

The pigs? Sorry, I don't know anything about them. Except I now have a craving for a bacon sarnie.

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[KeithMacdonald]

We're now in the section from Sutton Scotney to Winchester, via Worthy Down Halt and Kings Worthy.

 

 

Edited October 16, 2022 by KeithMacdonald
RMWeb image disaster recovery

[Enterprisingwestern]

20 minutes ago, KeithMacdonald said:

Sutton Scotney

 

With the by-now familiar DN&S station layout.

 

 

 

Watercress is something I know a little about. It's one of those crops that has largely faded from living memory. It used to be grown much more widely in Wiltshire and Hampshire, in the chalk stream valleys, and not just along the Watercress Line. As a crop that grows for much of the year, it was especially useful early in the year before seasonal fruit and veg were available.

 

 

 

The pigs? Sorry, I don't know anything about them. Except I now have a craving for a bacon sarnie.

 

Watercress soup for me!

 

Mike.

[jonny777]

On 27/06/2021 at 10:44, KeithMacdonald said:

Highclere Station

 

With a goods/passing loop, two small sidings and a crane. Highclere itself was never a hive of industry. Its only claim to fame seems to be the setting of Downton Abbey (TV series). So presumably goods traffic here was the usual agricultural, cattle, horses, etc?

 

 

This is April 30th 1961, the occasion of the LCGB's 'Solent Limited' railtour. 30117 had charge of the Eastleigh to Newbury section of the tour, which paused at Highclere.