Bathampton Junction to Chippenham and Calne

Bathampton Junction to Chippenham
(Including the Box tunnel and Cosham)
and on to Calne

 The T.P.O.D. (Temporary Period of Disruption)
During July and August 2015 major works took place in the Bathampton, Box, Corsham and Dundas areas to prepare the tracks for the forthcoming electrification and also improve clearances for container traffic. We have a considerable coverage of these works which has been provided by Craig Munday who made two visits to the various sites and as Network Rail Employee gave us the privilege of seeing much of the work. To see the results of his endeavors please click here.

Bathampton Station - click below for information and picture https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathampton_railway_station

Bathampton Junction

A Class 33 comes off the Trowbridge line at Bathampton Junction. 14th March 1981 Copyright Roger Winnen

Bathford Halt Closed 4th January 1965 Approx 3 miles from Bath
Reference the picture above. Bathford Halt was located about three quarters of a mile along the 'straight ahead' line from Bathampton Junction. Just after the distant overbridge.

Box Closed 4th January 1965 Approx five and three quarter miles from Bath

For picture and information on the station click here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_railway_station

Box Middle Hill Tunnel

A picture taken by Roger Winnen from the site of Box station looking into the mouth of Middle Hill tunnel. 5th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Middle Tunnel with a Class 47 heading west. In this shot you can see right through the 196 yard tunnel. 5th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

800405f An HST enters the Box Middle Tunnel. The grand and very generous portal of the tunnel belies its true bore size. 5th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

A Bristol bound service comes out a Middle Tunnel, Box. 5th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Box Middle Hill tunnel works 9th April 2017. Copyright Adrian King Picture taken by railway staff.

Box Middle Hill Engineering works. 9th April 2017. Copyright Adrian King

Box (Mill Lane) Closed 4th January 1965 Approx five and three quarter miles from Bath

Box Tunnel 3212 yards

800405a Box Tunnel West End. Copyright Roger Winnen

At the east end of Box Tunnel you will see the boarded up entrance to the underground system of tunnel railways originally used to transport Bath stone away from the tunnels of the quarry. There was a two platform station located within the hill. See http://www.nettleden.com/venues/box-tunnel/

This picture take by Craig Munday during recent works on the main line shows, to the extreme right the blocked off entrance to the underground complex. Copyright Craig Munday August 2015

Concerning Box tunnel and the speculation that it was designed on such a bearing that the sun would shine through it on Brunel's birthday - 9th April. Please use the link below to see GWR's proof of this on the birthday of the great man.

https://www.gwr.com/about-us/media-centre/news/2017/april/gwr-proves-brunels-sunshine-theory-is-there-light-at-the-end-of-brunels-box-tunnel

Many thanks indeed to Karl Hewlett who has obviously spent many hours searching the web of information concerning the Underground Bunker once connected to the main line railway system via the Third Portal at Box.

Regarding the article on the myth of Box Tunnel and its secret railway, here are some links for the underground bunker the third tunnel at Box goes to, each are certainly worth a look:

http://www.angelfire.com/mn2/Oubliette/Boxhill.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2005/12/14/burlington_nuclear_bunker_feature.shtml

https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/box-tunnel-east-portal-sidings-to-tunnel-quarry-and-cad-wiltshire-february-2015.t94218

http://www.nettleden.com/venues/box-tunnel/

http://www.burlingtonbunker.co.uk/emergency-wartime-broadcasting-service/

The link bellow is an rare image of steam locomotive shunting at the third portal which the caption states it was taken in 1979, I am not sure if this date is correct? I first thought the loco was a J94, but looking at the image again I am beginning to wonder now if it is a Peckett? Certainly not any GWR, 8F or BR standard loco as rumored to be in there, if any other CRS member can identify at least the manufacturer? But a very interesting image indeed if proven untouched by any digital trickery:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hvUhl4wUU4/VfAWUJgOepI/AAAAAAAABjo/EBL32QfK46c/s640/box-tunnel.jpg

Onto the some images of the stone shute when the tunnel was used for quarrying:

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/sc_cad1_war_157_zps84d19e47.jpg.html

http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/kevinr6665/media/Tunnel%20Quarry/Box-Bath-Stone-Mine-Archive-Album-001_zps8b452a77.jpg.html

Now to Corsham, the bellow is a link for Corsham Signal Box diagram:

http://www.s-r-s.org.uk/html/gwb/S571.htm

Kind Regards Karl (Friends of Penmere).

With very many thanks to Karl for his considerable effort in researching the information and links above.

Additional link for more fascinating insights into the tunnel system connected with the third portal.
Dear Keith.
Found this footage on Youtube, shows a bit of the underground railway in operation at Box Tunnel's third portal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENsf4J0xgPU
Kind Regards
Karl (Friend of Penmere).
Many thanks indeed Karl, please click above for the railway and and underground Art Gallery.

Corsham Closed passengers 4th January 1965 Closed goods 10th January 1963 Approx eight and three quarter miles from Bath

History and information - click here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corsham_railway_station
Photographs of Corsham station and area - click here https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=corsham+station&biw=755&bih=474&tb

66182 passes the remains of Corsham station during the major works in the summer of 2015. There is lot of local pressure to have this station re-opened to serve the lage community which has grown up since its closure 4th January 1965 it closed to goods on the 10th June 1963. Copyright Craig Munday

Box tunnel and Corsham - this is a new section using old pictures very kindly provided by Guy Vincent

Following on from Peter Murnagham's interesting shots of the Corsham area I have attached several vintage views taken in the early 1900s. These were produced as postcards when stone quarrying was at it's height. Many people now confuse the location of Corsham's passenger station with the former goods loading platform which remains today. The station (98m 26ch) was east of the goods and stone yard in a deep cutting and, following closure in January 1965, was demolished. The GWR plate footbridge remained in place until March 2015 when a new bridge replaced it ( the green structure visible in Peter's second picture). This bridge takes a public footpath across the deep cutting where the station was situated. Finally, two views showing the well-known western end of Box tunnel. As ever, note how vegetation has taken over and now spoils the view from the small area set aside for such a purpose next to the A4 road bridge.

Guy Vincent Many thanks to Guy for this article and pictures

Box Tunnel West End c1910 Guy Vincent Collection

Box Tunnel, West Portal. 30th June 2012 Copyright Guy Vincent

Box tunnel West Portal 1 (Bristol end) 9th February 2018 Copyright Adrian King

Box tunnel West Portal From the viewing point. 9th February 2018 Copyright Adrian King

Box tunnel West Portal 3 The plaque. 9th February 2018 Copyright Adrian King

Box Tunnel, East End c1905 Guy Vincent Collection

Box Tunnel East End c1910 (F Moore Painting) Guy Vincent Collection

Corsham GWR Station and Yard (view east) Cuy Vincent Collection

Corsham GWR Station Stone Wharf (view south from signal box) Guy Vincent Collection

Guy Vincent Collection

Following on from my earlier posting here are some more recent images showing the former station site at Corsham, the early 20th century footbridge deck that was replaced in March 2014 and the area once occupied by a goods yard and signal box etc. For well over thirty years residents and local campaigners have been trying to get a station re-established here but so far to no avail. In 2014 the area above the former yard was filled with new houses so more difficulties now need to be overcome as there is little, if any, space close by to provide sufficient car parking facilities. Access will always be a problem as the line falls through a long, deep cutting for over two miles prior to entering the eastern portal of the 1.83 mile long Box tunnel.

Guy Vincent

The very old Corsham station

Much older than the recent ‘news’ pictures about Corsham – is that mixed-gauge track? This shows one of the two signal-boxes which preceded the 1898 brick GWR box.
Regards, Chris Osment Many thanks to Chris for this extremely rare view.

Corsham most certainly pre 1898. From the Chris Osment collection - with many thanks.

Corsham Station site 18th April 2014 Copyright Guy Vincent

Corsham Old Goods Yard and Shed 18th April 2014 Copyright Guy Vincent

Corsham Station site 18th April 2014 Copyright Guy Vincent

Corsham old station footbridge 22nd September 2011 Copyright Guy Vincent

Corsham Old Station Footbridge 18th April 2014 Copyright Guy Vincent

The Corsham in the future - maybe. A report by Derek Buttivant.

Seeing the recent article and pictures of Corsham on the CRS web site prompts me to mention that the TransWilts Partnership (responsible for promoting improved services between Westbury and Swindon via Melksham) recently held a conference to launch their proposals for three new stations in Wiltshire - Wilton, Royal Wootton Bassett and Corsham. Artists' impressions of all three stations were presented at the conference and I attach the picture of how the Corsham station might look. A far cry from the original!

Of the three proposals, the one at Wilton (a park-and-ride station to be sited on the Salisbury-Warminster line rather than on the Yeovil route) seems to be furthest developed because it is included in the recently awarded First/MTR South West Trains franchise. Corsham, of course, is not on the TransWilts route but is being promulgated as a worthwhile development together with Wootton Bassett as part of a plan to provide better local train services on the Swindon-Bath-Bristol Temple Meads corridor.

Please note that the Corsham picture should be credited to "Paul Johnson (TransWilts)".

Best wishes, Derek Many thanks Derek

Corsham photo Paul Johnson (TransWilts) Received 3rd March 2017

Thingley Junction

Thingley Junction Vandalism 21st July 2008 Copyright Ken Mumford

Friends,
I was working for a car-hire company. A colleague and I had to take a hire van to this location from our Swindon depot. While my colleague was doing the finance transaction, I craftily took this photo BUT I KNOW NOTHING about the carriages. Maybe someone can help, please?

Kind regards, Ken (Mumford)

A reply, quick as that, from Colin Pidgeon:-

The 4 coaches were BR Mark 1s that were constructed by various railway works in the 50s & 60s. They entered service in carmine & cream livery.
Some of the Western Region coaches were repainted Chocolate & Cream for named trains, Southern ones were repainted in BR Multiple unit light green.
This was followed by BR Maroon & Inter City Blue & Grey & Network South Livery which is on the coaches in the photo.
Some even gained the livery that matches power car 43185 for charter work under British Rail.
They still provide the backbone to todays Charter Trains & Railway Preservation sites.
This site was supposed have to become a Preservation site. Unfortunately due to persistent vandalism the site was closed down.
Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks for the above to Ken Mumford and Colin Pidgeon.

A down HST passes Thingley Junction and Yard in 2008 This superb picture taken from an overbridge near the eastern corner of the former triangle. The double track line passed went off to the right beyond the pylon on a sharp curve to merge with Laycock (Air ministry sidings). The junction at this end was controlled by Thingley West Box - this closed in 1955, [R.S. Cooke's Track Diagrams 21] Maurice Pullin and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

There once was a triangular junction at Thingley - here we see the former double track line heading away to the east towards Lacock, Melksham and Trowbridge. There was an addition chord of the triangle called 'The Air Ministry Loop opened in 1943 and closed in 1955. This passed in front of the nearest pylon. There were signal boxes to control the double track junctions on the London line - these were. Thingley Junction east, west, the third leg of the triangle was served by a box at Laycock. This picture taken on the 28th June 2009 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another picture taken seconds later shows the pointwork. Trains coming off the single track and heading for Chippenham and London have to negotiate a further crossover some distance behind the camera. The brick built box is approximately in the location of Thingley East Box. 28th June 2009 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Chippenham viaduct Just before Chippenham the line negotiates the 90 yard Chippenham viaduct

The historic arches at Chippenham, New Road passes through the arch.28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking along the north face of the viaduct. Copyright Roger Winnen

The north face of Chippenham Viaduct - Chippenham station approach through the left hand arch and turn left up Station Hill. Rail to Bath and Bristol to the right. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

Chippenham 13 miles from Bath

The approach to Chippenham Station these are listed buildings. This view taken on the 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

The blue plaque on the wall placed there by Chippenham Civic Society tells us that this was once the office of the great man - Isambard Kingdom Brunel. This picture dated 28th July 2008. Copyright Roger Winnen.

The exterior of Chippenham Station from the east. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

Taking a look inside.

This is part of the Cornwall Railway Society party on a minibus visit to Wiltshire on 4th June 1988 visiting Chippenham Station. Dick Coad and his wife, lead the party, followed by Lionel Treglown, Chris Thompson, David Brown , Peter Moore, Jill Green, and bringing up the rear is David Horne. David is now Managing Director of Virgin Trains East Coast Trains. Picture by Roger Winnen

27th November 1965 The down main is over on the right whereas the line in the foreground was reduced to a siding platform line then closed (as it was when the above picture of Clun Castle was taken) then on 21st August 1966 removed altogether. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Clun Castle flashes past - the last steam - forever we were told!! Beyond lies Chippenham west Signalbox and Chippenham viaduct. The box closed on the 21st August 1966. 27th November 1965 Copyright Keith Jenkin.

Re the above :- These are MY PHOTOS [!!} taken near Old oak Common after I had cycled from my student 'digs' in Parsons Green [West London]. I think that the camera I used was an ILFORD SPORTMAN of my Dad's.
Kind regards,to you both, Ken Mumford.

Collecting the token for the single line to Bradford Junction. 24th April 1983 Copyright Roger Winnen

A nice action shot as passengers come down the footbridge to gain the platform. Note station staff standing by with a ramp to assist disabled passengers off the incoming train. There were once two bays beyond the footbridge to serve the trains for Calne. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen.

This long footbridge, spanning the complete width of Chppenham station, forms an ideal vantage point for photographs. Here we see a gleaming HST running in to platform Platform 2 with a service bound for London Paddington. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

The old town of Chippenham lies mainly clustered around a river bridge in the valley beyond St Pauls Church. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen

Looking east from the footbridge as a service to Bath and Bristol waits to leave. Note the extensive car park in the area once occupied by the sidings. Beyond the buildings to the left stands the Westinghouse Brake and Signal Companies works. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen.

The view looking west as a service heads for Bath and Bristol. Chippenham West Box was about where the foot crossing is. 28th July 2008 Copyright Roger Winnen.

Timetables for services between Taunton and Swindon 10th September 1962 to 16th June 1963

As can be seen from the above, the services to the small stations and halts were, by this time rather sparse.

Chippenham
Change for the Calne Branch

Highly recommended is an excellent book on the Calne Branch, it is written by Colin C. Maggs and published by Wild Swan.

Useful links on the Calne Branch
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chippenham_and_Calne_Line
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/c/calne/ Very informative, courtesy Nick Catford - excellent pictures and history.

Also a Youtube collection featuring the branch as a public footpath/cycle way can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJUXmKyY4XI N.B. The footage also continues on to other Calne events - non railway.

An Extract from the above timetable

'The end is nigh'

The home signal is pulled off to welcome the Calne train into Chippenham. Visible in this picture is Chippenham East signalbox and a considerable of vans & trucks in the sidings - the main goods yard was on the up side of the main line. June 1965 Copyright Keith Jenkin

A short distance from the main line junction the train rumbled over a substantial bridge carrying the line over the river Avon. This bridge was originally of timber construction but in 1930 was replaced by a steel structure in 1930. Copyright Keith Jenkin. This bridge was removed in 1971.

The story of a gradient post. Many years ago I lived at Calne and was there for the last train in 1965. Sometime later a friend, whose name I forget, found an old wooden gradient post lying near Stanley Bridge Halt in the rubble resultant from the removal of the track. He took pity on it as it would otherwise have ended up dumped. I gratefully accepted it not knowing quite what to do with it. The post on which it stood was badly rotted and insect infested. However the arms were intact but somewhat battered. It wasn't until I came to put together what pictures I have of the branch that it occurred to me to find the 'arms' which had been lying on a garage shelf ever since. The '0' of the 80 was part missing. However, cleaned and repainted here is the gradient post which last performed a useful purpose some fifty years ago.

Here are the two 'arms' lying on the kitchen floor, the simulated post is a strip of card. A quote from the excellent book on the branch by Colin G. Maggs fixes its former position. He says "Immediately before Stanley bridge Halt the gradient changed from 139 down (from the Chippenham direction) to 1 in 80 up"

Stanley Bridge Halt Closed 20th September 1965

Stanley bridge Halt - shortly before the lines closure. Copyright Keith Jenkin

A box camera view taken a while after closure but before lifting. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Between Stanley Bridge Halt and Black Dog Halt after closure and lifting

A sad sight - the lifted branch in 1967. Copyright Keith Jenkin.

The bridge which carries the Studley to Hazeland Road. We're looking, in 1967, towards Black Dog Halt. The crossing of the A4 trunk road occurred just before Black Dog. Copyright Keith Jenkin

The track was lifted starting after Easter 1967 and was completed in June, a short length being left at Chippenham for use as a siding. It was amusing to read that shortly after the lifting had been completed that seasoned drinkers concerned at the newly introduced 'Dink Driving Laws' found a new way of getting from Calne to Chippenham. The took the 'train route' driving from Calne over the formation - it is not recorded whether this service stopped at Black Dog and Stanley Bridge and it must has stopped before the buffer stop placed on the end of the siding at Chippenham! What damage the ballast did to their tyres is also not recorded. Their alternative route was short lived as the Black Bridge over the A4 at Black Dog was removed in April 1968.

Black Dog Halt Closed 20th September 1965

This is our only 'Black Dog' picture - courtesy of the Mike Roach ticket collection. Who on earth would be willing to pay six pence for this first class ticket? Maybe Lord Lansdowne? The station here became an unstaffed halt presumably when the sidings were closed on the 10th June 1963, this siding was lifted on the 1st November 1963.

Black Dog Halt - History and pictures Nick Catford - click here
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/black_dog_halt/http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/black_dog_halt/

Calne Closed passengers 20th September 1965 Closed goods 2nd November 1964

The driver eye view as the train slows for the already visible buffer stops - the once extensive sidings have been lifted. Copyright Keith Jenkin

While the drivers is out chatting to the station staff a quite comprehensive view looking along the extended platform towards the signalbox and Chippenham. As can be seen the loop lines and sidings are well rusted. 1st June 1965 Copyright Keith Jenkin

This is the headboard carried by the last train to depart from Calne. Normally it would have returned empty stock but on this sad occasion the carriage of passengers on this the very last service from Calne was permitted. This pictures is believed to have come from a local paper.

We witnessed the departure of the last train from Calne. After the sounding of the last post the train departed at 22.55 driven by driver Frank Cannon with Frederick Bond as Guard. The otherwise quiet evening was punctuated by the sound of 102 detonators blowing off - these had been laid between Calne and Black Dog - one for every year of the lines existence. No more would we here the coming and going of trains from our nearby home. K & V J