Lockinge is a rural market down in the Vale of the White Horse, sitting beneath the Berkshire Downs with the ancient hill fort of Lockinge Down prominent on the skyline. Like many settlements Brunel’s billiard table bypassed if on its route from London to Bristol. Inspired by other light railways local businessmen raised the funds for an independent light railway to the town. It was a short branch from the GWR Mainline, only 2 miles following the road, and terminated at a wharf on the Berks and Wilts canal. Whilst very convenient for the town it was a very cramped site.
The line was a great success and the town and its industry grew around it. Clearly upgrades were needed but the local company couldn’t afford them. So the line was sold to the GWR who began a program of improvements. A new brick station was build, the line was upgraded to normal standards and signalling added. However the little engine shed was closed and demolished - with engines coming from nearby Didcot. The railway sealed the demise of the canal but in the 20s the wharf was taken over by a dairy. Other freight included coal for the town and gasworks and the local mill. A frequent passenger shuttle was also operated. Little changed after the war but in the 1960s general goods were withdrawn and a DMU replaced steam. Milk and coal traffic limped on but in contrast the town grew as an attractive commuter base. The line still survives to a basic single track halt with the goods yard long built over and the mill converted to luxury apartments