The Devizes branch
Holt Junction to Patney and Chirton
Holt Junction to Patney and Chirton
N.B. The basic idea of this website is to cover the area permissible using the Freedom of the South West Rail Rover. However, as the rover takes one past the site of the junction with the Devizes branch we'll go back 50 or so years and take a look along that branch. As can be seen our coverage of the line is considerably enhanced with images and information from Guy Vincent for which I am extremely grateful.
Many thanks also to Mike Roach for his contributions.
Many thanks also to Mike Roach for his contributions.
The Devizes branch line was a railway line from Holt Junction to Patney and Chirton, and named after Devizes the largest town on the line. It was built by the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway and was later purchased by the GWR. At one time before the opening of the Patney to Westbury section the Devizes line provided a direct link from London to the West Country.
This map is Barthomews half inch to the mile 1895-1905. Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland. The Devizes branch leaves the Bradford Junction to Thingley Junction line at Holt Junction (Top left) bearing off the right as a single track. Many of the branch trains originated at Westbury or Trowbridge. First station encountered was the small timber built short and low platformed stopping place at Semington Halt, This lay atop a high embankment before the bridge over the Melksham road. Now continuing across fairly level ground the line reaches the first passing point at Seend. A mile beyond Seend a timber built halt at Bromham and Rowde is reached - this boasted a goods loop and a small siding. The station itself had a canopy and locked shed. After Bromham a fairly level course is experienced accompanied by the nearby Kennet and Avon canal. About a mile and a half distant from the market town of Devizes the line crosses Fish Bridge and climbs steeply. Alongside the canal commences a steep climb on the Caen Hill flight of 22 locks. Devizes station, which was quite extensive was set below the general level of the sizable town which it served. The station, again a passing place was served by trains to and from London. Immediately after Devizes station the single track resumes as the line climbs through the 190 yard Devizes tunnel above which lies a castle of the same name. A summit is reached near Pan Lane Halt which served a local hospital. From here the single track route falls towards the main Reading to Westbury line which it parallels for the last mile or so before a junction is made at Patney and Chirton. This junction is on the extreme right of the above map. The main line continues towards Reading and London. The line, to the west towards Westbury, which was built after the Devizes line, continues west through Lavington and Edington & Braton stations to Westbury.
This is a profile drawn using the heights shown on the Google Earth view for each station and also at Fish Bridge where there was a noticeable change to an up grade towards Devizes.
The beginning (1) From the Guy Vincent Collection
The beginning (2) From the Guy Vincent Collection
The end - the Closure Notice. From the Guy vincent Collection.
Holt Junction 13 miles from Patney and Chirton
Approx 110 ' above sea level.
Approx 110 ' above sea level.
A simple station set rather out in the wilds. The then double track route to Melksham, Thingley Junction and thence to Chippenham leaves this map at the top. The single track Devizes line goes off to the right and the double track leaving at the bottom is to Braford Junctions (left for Trowbridge and Westbury, right for Bradford on Avon and Bath) Staverton. From the OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61 map reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland.
Holt Junction, a Down Train departing c1905 Courtesy Guy Vincent Collection. Note the footbridge providing access to the island platform. All pedestrian and vehicular access would have been from the Holt village direction - this lay to the west. As opened the access was pedestrian only, however in 1877 a road was provided and a goods shed opened.
A very rare view of 4472 'Flying Scotsman' at Holt Junction this was taken on the 19th October 1963 Copyright Martin Scane. The train is the Ian Allan
'Western Belle' en route from Paddington to Ilfracombe.
Holt Junction taken from over the fence on the 27th April 1966 Note the arm less signal posts . Holt Junction along with the Devizes branch had closed on the 18th April 1966 and the main line singled w.e.f 23rd June 1966, the goods facilities had been withdrawn on the 7th October 1963. Note the disused signalbox in the distance. Copyright Keith Jenkin.
A view taken from the Bradford Junction to Thingley Junction line close to the location of Holt Junction and looking east. We see the formation of the branch heading away towards Devizes and Patney & Chirton. 24th April 1983. Copyright Roger Winnen
Holt Junction former site of divergence Dec 2017 Copyright Guy Vincent. We are looking towards Melksham and Thingley junction, the former station lay behind us.
The Royal Train stabled near Holt Junction. Guy Vincent Collection. Royal Train on Devizes Branch. Friday 3 June 1966. Copyright probabaly John Sawtell
Footnote. On the evening of June 2nd 1966 the Royal Train (1X01) was stabled on the northern end of the Devizes branch between the closed Holt Junction station and a river bridge over the Avon near Whaddon. Two ex-works class 52s were used, D1010 Western Campaigner and D1041, Western Prince. D1010 brought the train onto the branch from Frome where the Royal party had boarded following visits to Duchy estate properties in Somerset. D1041 arrived light from Bristol Bath Road minutes after the train had stabled and once it had attached to the rear D1010 departed 'light engine' for Westbury via Devizes, Patney & Chirton (rev) and Lavington. D1041 remained with the train, departing at 0855 the following day for Castle Cary (for the Bath and West show). D1010 reportedly returned to Holt via Patney and Devizes so was either attached to the rear of the train before departure or followed it light. Both locos happily survive in preservation, D1010 at the West Somerset Railway and D1041 at the East Lancashire Railway. Ivo Peters photographed the train at Hawkeridge near Westbury but the rear is not visible.
Last movement over the Devizes branch - the passenger service had been withdrawn on the 16th April 1966. D1010 departed 'light engine' for Westbury via Devizes, Patney & Chirton (rev) and Lavington.
Holt Junction to Devizes. Single 10th July 1965 Copyright Guy Vincent
Well, we've got our ticket and now the token - at least as far as Devizes -so lets go. From the Guy Vincent Collection.
-- and here's the reverse of the token. Courtesy the Guy Vincent Collection.
After closure of Devizes Signalbox this token with a ground off 'Devises' was used to cover the section from Patney and Chirton to Holt Junction. Copyright Guy Vincent;
Semington Halt Eleven and a half miles from Patney and Chirton
Approximately 127' above sea level
Approximately 127' above sea level
Semington OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61. Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland. N.B. The old canal shown is the remains of the Wilts and Barks canal.
It's a week after closure and the rails have still got that shine on them. The road bridge is beyond the station in the Devizes direction. The Halt had been opened on the 3rd August 1908. This picture 27th April 1967. Copyright Keith Jenkin N.B. Recently re-ballasted. Imagine the difficulty in stepping off modern rolling stock here.
Semington Halt on the 27th April 1967. Copyright Keith Jenkin, Apologies for the poor quality of this picture.
Quote from Wikipedia
Semington Halt station opened in 1857 for the residents of Semington, during a time when the GWR was increasing the number of halts in the South West. After completion of the eastern section of track, the Devizes line was a main line from London to Bristol, which meant passing through Semington. However the Devizes line lost to competition and returned to a branch line in 1900.
Closure - Semington Halt suffered from reduced traffic after the completion of the Chirton - Westbury line, that by-passed the Devizes line and so reduce the London to Bristol journey time by 5 miles.
Semington Halt station was closed on the 18th April1966 under the Beeching cuts.
Semington Halt station opened in 1857 for the residents of Semington, during a time when the GWR was increasing the number of halts in the South West. After completion of the eastern section of track, the Devizes line was a main line from London to Bristol, which meant passing through Semington. However the Devizes line lost to competition and returned to a branch line in 1900.
Closure - Semington Halt suffered from reduced traffic after the completion of the Chirton - Westbury line, that by-passed the Devizes line and so reduce the London to Bristol journey time by 5 miles.
Semington Halt station was closed on the 18th April1966 under the Beeching cuts.
Branch remains :- I strongly recommend looking on Google Earth as you can follow the entire Devizes branch from Holt Junction to Patney & Chirton with ease, even through Devizes where some sections have been built on. It is also possible to pick out the ooriginal profile of Devizes Castle and the associated earthworks. I started my search by picking on 'Avon Road Devizes' and going from there. You can get some good magnification and pick out today's landmarks that lead to the line when out searching. Footpaths show up especially well.
Brabazon Way is at Bowerhill to the south of Melksham, this is approximately the boundary of the former RAF Camp that was located there from 1940 to 1965. The camp site is now the Bowerhill Industrial estate with a large housing development close by. The Devizes branch ran along the route Brabazon Way now takes and in the hedge close to where I parked my silver Metro my wife found a 1882 GWR boundary post. I've since found several more of these posts with the same date along the route the line took and I believe that this was when the line was re-surveyed. At the time of my exploration in 2010 there were many abandoned relics of the line evident including rusty track fittings and sections of old rail that had been used for fencing. I came across a concrete GWR stile where a public footpath used to cross the line and there were many old wooden sleepers that had been used as fence posts, these had been torn out and piled up ready for disposal following work on the new Knorr Bremse factory.
- Notes from Guy Vincent. Many thanks Guy
Brabazon Way is at Bowerhill to the south of Melksham, this is approximately the boundary of the former RAF Camp that was located there from 1940 to 1965. The camp site is now the Bowerhill Industrial estate with a large housing development close by. The Devizes branch ran along the route Brabazon Way now takes and in the hedge close to where I parked my silver Metro my wife found a 1882 GWR boundary post. I've since found several more of these posts with the same date along the route the line took and I believe that this was when the line was re-surveyed. At the time of my exploration in 2010 there were many abandoned relics of the line evident including rusty track fittings and sections of old rail that had been used for fencing. I came across a concrete GWR stile where a public footpath used to cross the line and there were many old wooden sleepers that had been used as fence posts, these had been torn out and piled up ready for disposal following work on the new Knorr Bremse factory.
- Notes from Guy Vincent. Many thanks Guy
Between Semmington and Seend the Devizes branch passed alongside the former RAF Melksham camp at Bowerhill - this closed in 1965. Since then the site has been developed and Brabazon Way, pictured above lies on the course of the old line -
we are looking west. That's Guy Vincent's car parked there.
A GWR Boundary post found by Mrs Vincent alongside Brabazon Way, Bowerhill. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Redundant GWR Fencing the result of clearing the Knorr Bremse site. Copyright Guy Vincent.
GWR Concrete Stile, at Bowerhill on the former Devizes Branch. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Seend Station Eight and a quarter miles from Patney and Chirton
Approximately 150' above sea level
Approximately 150' above sea level
Seend railway station was near the village of Seed in Wiltshire. The station was a stop on the Devizes Branch line, between Semington and Bromham & Rowde. Its position northwest of the village was chosen to serve the iron ore mine and iron works at Seend Cleeve.
It closed to passengers on the18th April 66 and to Goods on the 10th June 63
It closed to passengers on the18th April 66 and to Goods on the 10th June 63
Scend from the OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61. Reproduced with the permission of the National Museum of Scotland. Note the proximity of the Kennet and Avon Canal and also the siding heading off to the Iron Mine.
A real gem of a picture of Seend Railway Station in c1910. From the Guy Vincent Collection. As built the station had a single platform, on the left, however in 1908 a loop, a second platform, a new signalbox was installed and Seend became a passing place. The points in the foreground would have led to the Iron Mine siding. There was also a siding behind the platform on the right. The signalbox closed on the 10th June 1956.
Seend taken in January 1968. This staion originally a single platform on the up side was made a loop with a signal box added in 1908. The line was singled once again in June 1963.
Copyright Keith Jenkin. Note the smoke stains on the bridge.
Seend January 1968. Copyright Keith Jenkin.
Seend station site. This picture was taken from the road over rail overbridge on the1st April 2012. Copyright Guy Vincent.
A picture of the road over rail bridge from which the above picture was taken. This bridge was demolished in May 2013. The reason for its removal was that it was narrow and approached around a bend. There had been several accidents including one fatality. 1st April 2012 Copyright Guy Vincent
Seend - site of Station Road Bridge following demolition. 25th May 2013 Copyright Guy Vincent
The station may have completely disappeared with its bridge but the sign survives. Former British Railways Seend Station Sign, now at Seend Primary School. 20th August 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Seend Ironworks A long siding left Seend station to serve Seend Iron Works - for details click the links below.N.B. The first link has a picture of the canal crossing.
http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/Items/Seend/Seend%20-%20Seend%20Iron%20Works%201856-1890.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seend_Ironstone_Quarry_and_Road_Cutting
http://www.wiltshire-opc.org.uk/Items/Seend/Seend%20-%20Seend%20Iron%20Works%201856-1890.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seend_Ironstone_Quarry_and_Road_Cutting
Bromham and Rowde Seven and three quarter miles from Patney and Chirton
Approximately 200' above sea level.
Approximately 200' above sea level.
Bromham and Rowde station From the OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61 With permission from the National Library of Scotland.
Another of one of Guy Vincents Gems - Bromham and Rhode in 1910. With effect from 22nd February 1909 a loop and two ground frames was introduced. There was a further siding beyond the loop. This was removed in 1963.
Bromham and Rowde The overbridge seen in the distance can be seen on the map above. Taken on 27th April 1967 Bromham and Rowde was opened on the 22nd February 1909. Copyright Keith Jenkin
Bromham and Rowde on the 27th April 1967 Copyright Keith Jenkin N.B. The lady standing on the platform is Mrs. J. Also note that in addition to the usual pagoda there is storage shed and a substantial canopy. Just beyond the station on the right hand side a loop siding together with two ground frames were brought into use in 1909. In 1961 this was reduced to a simple siding with a facing point in this direction and all removed 1963.
Return 3rd class ticket to Devizes. Courtsey the Guy Vincent Collection
A very old parcels label from the Guy Vincent Collection.
About half a mile east of Bromham and Rowde and about three quarters of a mile west of Fish Bridge lay Foxhangers Bridge. Nowadays the canal is flourishing and modern canal moorings exist here. This picture was taken on the 7th September 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent. N.B. West is to the right - there was a sharp increase in gradient here for trains heading for Devizes - the start of a pull up towards the station.
About one and three quarter miles before Devizes the line crossed over the A361 by means of this bridge - Caen Hill can be seen rising beyond. A Gem from the Guy Vincent Collection. Approx. 240' above sea level
Devizes Five Miles from Patney and Chirton
Devizes station is approximately 400' above sea level.
Devizes station is approximately 400' above sea level.
Devizes station and Caen Hill Locks. Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland. Devizes station to the left of Castle Hill on the right.
Devizes station. Detail from the 25 inch OS map 1895 - 1905 Permission to copy from the National Library of Scotland
A smashing view as smoke issues from the signalbox chimney. The fact that the station was slightly lower than the town it served provided an ideal grandstand view over the station - we are looking towards Holt Junction in this view. The goods shed lies beyond. From the Guy Vincent Collection,
An extra special special - 'Flying Scotsman' visits Devizes on Saturday 19th October 1963
From the Wiltshire Times 26th October 1963 From the Guy Vincent Collection.
N.B. The 'Flying Scotsman' was booked here at 10.22 and might have made a stop here to satisfy the crowds which turned up, however, it was running 20 minutes late and that is probably the reason that passed through at a reported 40 MPH - it was due a Holt Junction at 10.40!!
Mike Roach takes in the scene at Devizes on the 13th September 1963. A quiet time at the station - the water crane tidily put away, trolleys on the up platform, the signalbox lies just beyond the footbridge. whilst beyond the station platforms the metals join together at the start of the single line section towards Patney and Chirton. The tunnel mouth lies just beyond the home signal which bears a diamond to indicate that the line beyond is protected by a track circuit. Copyright Mike Roach
At an operational station one has to be very careful not only of trains but also of staff, as however none seem to be around, Mike has ventured a little further to reveal the barrow crossing which must required quite a pull to haul a loaded trolley up the slope. The town lies at a higher level that the station and the road to the town centre can be seen rising up in the distance. Copyright Mike Roach
DEVIZES RAIL STATION MIKE ROACH
You are very welcome to use my pics of Devizes etc. Although I was on a West of England Rail Rover I had to pay extra from Westbury and will therefore look out for the ticket from Westbury to Devizes (3/6d for a CDR). It was a 3-car dmu both ways. The date was 13th September 1963. The train home from Westbury was the 6.30pm off Paddington to Plymouth, the last train of the day. Being a Friday it was allowed extra time and good job too, although it ran late. The loco was a D8xx Warship with a mammoth load of 15 coaches. Luckily six coaches came off at Newton Abbot or we would have been in trouble. The train left Westbury 21L and reached Plymouth 32L at 11.49pm. Speed fell to 30mph on Whiteball.
Regards, Mike An interesting footnote from Mike for which many thanks.
You are very welcome to use my pics of Devizes etc. Although I was on a West of England Rail Rover I had to pay extra from Westbury and will therefore look out for the ticket from Westbury to Devizes (3/6d for a CDR). It was a 3-car dmu both ways. The date was 13th September 1963. The train home from Westbury was the 6.30pm off Paddington to Plymouth, the last train of the day. Being a Friday it was allowed extra time and good job too, although it ran late. The loco was a D8xx Warship with a mammoth load of 15 coaches. Luckily six coaches came off at Newton Abbot or we would have been in trouble. The train left Westbury 21L and reached Plymouth 32L at 11.49pm. Speed fell to 30mph on Whiteball.
Regards, Mike An interesting footnote from Mike for which many thanks.
Devizes station - the footbridge no longer serving a purpose. Copyright Keith Jenkin
The 190 yard tunnel beckons, note the station gas lighting. The castle can just be glimpsed through the trees. The road towards the centre of the town can be seen to the left. Copyright Keith Jenkin. N.B Devizes Castle is a Victorian castellated mansion standing on the site of an 11th-century Norman motte and bailey castle. ... King Stephen besieged the castle, as did Oliver Cromwell, and King John imprisoned his queen here.
From the Guy Vincent Collection. A point of interest here is that the ticket is routed via Melksham rather than Holt Junction. Whether there was some arrangement to permit the tickets use between Devizes by bus is not known.
Devizes-Trowbridge BRB Return Ticket (Half) Courtesy the Guy Vincent Collection. This ticket is via Holt Junction, often a through route for this service.
Ticket from Trowbridge to Woodborough via Devizes. Copyright the Guy Vincent Collection.
Devizes Station Car Park April 1986 Copyright Mike Roach
Devizes station car park. 26th April 2009. Copyright Guy Vincent Note the sealed up tunnel entrance.
Devizes Parcel Label (ex Padd'n) Copyright Guy Vincent
Beyond Devizes tunnel - courtesy Guy Vincent.
We now learn more about what lies atop the tunnel - Estcourt Hill and beyond it.
We now learn more about what lies atop the tunnel - Estcourt Hill and beyond it.
Eastcourt Hill Bridge & Tunnel Courtesy Guy Vincent collection. What a fantastic picture, full of interest. Note the lady with her children posed on the bridge and the small allotment on the right hand side. A real gem from the Guy Vincent Collection.
Devizes Castle Gatehouse. March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Devizes Castle & Southern Tunnel Portal. March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
A charming view of Devizes Castle off Castle Drive. March 2010. Copyright Guy Vincent
Estcourt Hill Footpath Bridge over former railway. 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Estcourt Hill footpath bridge from tunnel entrance 26th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent. It a sobering thought as Guy says that once Castles and Halls and later Warships, Hymeks and Westerns passed under this bridge!
Devizes Estcourt Hill Footbridge on the 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent Note the bridge number 98
Estcourt footbridge steps 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Devizes Tunnel & GWR Spear Fencing 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Devizes, GWR Boundary Post. 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
All photos taken in March 2010 Estcourt is the correct spelling, not Eastcourt. Directions approximate.
Demolition of Estcourt Hill foootpath bridge has been suggested on maintenance and 'access for all' grounds in recent years, so far these suggestions have been resisted. There is a length of GWR spear fencing still in-situ plus a GWR boundary marker post below the bridge. Looking at the area today it is hard to believe that countless locomotives such as GWR Castles, Halls, Granges and diesels such as Westerns, Warships and Hymeks once passed daily through here. The tunnel is now sealed with access possible at the former station end, it has been used for many years as a shooting range.
Mileages from Paddington via Newbury and Hungerford: Pans Lane Halt 85m 13ch Devizes Station & Signal Box 85m 71ch
Engineers Line Reference BHL This is still used for the remaining structures on the line's course that require maintenance.
Guy Vincent 20.12.2017
Demolition of Estcourt Hill foootpath bridge has been suggested on maintenance and 'access for all' grounds in recent years, so far these suggestions have been resisted. There is a length of GWR spear fencing still in-situ plus a GWR boundary marker post below the bridge. Looking at the area today it is hard to believe that countless locomotives such as GWR Castles, Halls, Granges and diesels such as Westerns, Warships and Hymeks once passed daily through here. The tunnel is now sealed with access possible at the former station end, it has been used for many years as a shooting range.
Mileages from Paddington via Newbury and Hungerford: Pans Lane Halt 85m 13ch Devizes Station & Signal Box 85m 71ch
Engineers Line Reference BHL This is still used for the remaining structures on the line's course that require maintenance.
Guy Vincent 20.12.2017
Pans Lane Halt Four and a half miles from Patney and Chirton
It was approximately 450' feet above sea level - 50' higher than Devizes'
It Served a local hospital
It was approximately 450' feet above sea level - 50' higher than Devizes'
It Served a local hospital
A very nice pictures of Pans Lane Halt are available here.
:www.google.co.uk/search?q=pans+lane+halt+railway+station&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=dbZGYedj_S8omM%253A%252CpTv4NICqmwJHpM%252C_&usg=__1u1K0dUMqzq3oNa9Xcze3xjn-Sc%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjI2risjbLYAhUCCcAKHT7_CO8Q9QEIPzAD#imgrc=bOWylzQnmq1x-M:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pans_Lane_Halt_railway_station
:www.google.co.uk/search?q=pans+lane+halt+railway+station&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=dbZGYedj_S8omM%253A%252CpTv4NICqmwJHpM%252C_&usg=__1u1K0dUMqzq3oNa9Xcze3xjn-Sc%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjI2risjbLYAhUCCcAKHT7_CO8Q9QEIPzAD#imgrc=bOWylzQnmq1x-M:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pans_Lane_Halt_railway_station
Pans Lane Halt OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61 Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
PANS LANE HALT
Pans Lane Halt (85m 13ch) was situated to the south of Devizes and opened to passengers on 4th March 1929. It consisted of a single platform with tin shelter on the west side of the line and served a then developing area to the south of the town plus the Roundway Hospital and Institution. A large dairy plant (Wilts United Dairies) was also close by. The halt was in a cutting immediately below a bridge (85m10ch) carrying Pans Lane over the single track railway line. The halt closed along with the line as from Monday April 18th 1966. During the 1970s the cutting was infilled on both sides of the bridge. On the north side towards Devizes the land is now occupied by gardens that have been extended across the site of the cutting while to the south the land is public open space, a modern housing estate beyond that covers the course of the former railway. Note the section of old bridge rail in image 3, this used to hold a railway notice that can be seen on the platform in photos taken prior to closure. NB Search 'Pans Lane Halt pictures' to see the older images referred to, these are not attached due to copyright). See above.
Pans Lane Halt (85m 13ch) was situated to the south of Devizes and opened to passengers on 4th March 1929. It consisted of a single platform with tin shelter on the west side of the line and served a then developing area to the south of the town plus the Roundway Hospital and Institution. A large dairy plant (Wilts United Dairies) was also close by. The halt was in a cutting immediately below a bridge (85m10ch) carrying Pans Lane over the single track railway line. The halt closed along with the line as from Monday April 18th 1966. During the 1970s the cutting was infilled on both sides of the bridge. On the north side towards Devizes the land is now occupied by gardens that have been extended across the site of the cutting while to the south the land is public open space, a modern housing estate beyond that covers the course of the former railway. Note the section of old bridge rail in image 3, this used to hold a railway notice that can be seen on the platform in photos taken prior to closure. NB Search 'Pans Lane Halt pictures' to see the older images referred to, these are not attached due to copyright). See above.
Pans Lane 1 Pans Lane Railway Cutting Devizes Courtesy Postcard c1910 of cutting below Pans Lane bridge, looking towards Devizes Guy Vincent Collection
Pans Lane 2 Devizes Pans Lane Bridge Pans Lane bridge looking north in 2010. Copyright Guy Vincent
Pans Lane 3 Looking across the site of the halt at the gardens now in place across the top of the infilled cutting. See the bridge rail referred to above 20 Halt 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Pans Lane 4 Halt site 2010 Public open space and housing built on course of old line 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Pans Lane 5 the Bridge, Devizes. Pans Lane bridge looking towards Devizes (re 1937 map) 17.03.2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Pans Lane Halt 6 site Devizes, Redhorn Gardens off Pans Lane Steps leading from Pans Lane to open space 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Patney and Chirton 81 miles from London
Approx 360' above sea level. The main line falling to the west towards Lavington at 1 in 222 and rising towards the east towards Woodborough at 1 in 225.
Approx 360' above sea level. The main line falling to the west towards Lavington at 1 in 222 and rising towards the east towards Woodborough at 1 in 225.
Reproduced from the OS 25 inch to the mile map with permission of the National Library of Scotland. This map dates from 1895 - 1905. Note that Patney and Chirton station didn't exist at that time - the main line towards Reading and Paddington is to the right, the line to Devizes and Holt Junction is off to the top left, the direct route to Westbury is still under construction and is shown off to the lower left hand side. Patney and Chirton station opened on the 1st October 1900 on the completion of the direct route to Westbury.
Patney and Chirton station. OS 1 in 25000 1937 to 61 Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland. N.B. The single line towards Devizes and Holt Junction kept company with the current main line towards Lavington which is on a falling grade for about a mile and a quarter.
The last train off the Devizes branch traverses off the branch onto the up main passing the signalbox which contained 70 levers. 16th April 1966. Copyright Keith Jenkin
Patney and Chirton 16th April 1966 Copyright Keith Jenkin
Patney and Chirton 16th April 1966 Copyright Keith Jenkin
The only other spectator leaves the platform at Patney and Chirton as the last train makes it way into the distance. 16th April 1966 Copyright Keith Jenkin.
Looking from the road overbridge, the site of Patney and Chirton station. The footbridge, which is about 40 yards long, is retained as it serves a public footpath. 17th March 2010 Copyright Guy Vincent
Special Train - Flying Scotsman visits the Devizes branch with the
Ian Allan Western Belle
Saturday 19th October 1963
Details:- Courtesy Six Bells Junction Railtour Files.
Locos Used4472 'Flying Scotsman', 7317 & 7332 Route :
Loco(s)Route
4472London Paddington - Slough - Twyford - Reading - Southcote Jn - Bewyn - Patney & Chirton - Devizes - Holt Jn - Bradford Jn - Bathampton - Bath Spa - North Somerset Jn - Bristol Tempel Meads - Worle Jn - Uphill Jn - Bridgwater - Taunton
7317 + 7332 Taunton - Norton Fitzwarren - Milverton - Venn Cross - Dulverton - Swimbridge - Barnstaple East Jn - Barnstaple South Jn - Barnstaple Junction - Barnstaple Town - Braunton (1) - (1) Morthoe & Woolacombe - Ilfracombe
7317 + 7322 Ilfracombe - (1) Morthoe & Woolacombe - Braunton - Barnstaple Town - Barnstaple Junction - Eggesford - Coleford Jn - Crediton - Cowley Brisge Jn - Exter St Davids - Exeter Central
4472 Exeter Central - Axminster - Yeovil Junction - Templecombe - Salisbury - Woking - Hampton Court Jn - Clapham Junction - London Waterloo
Location Booked time.
Paddington08.33d
Newbury09/38
Bedwyn09/57
Patney & Chirton10c11 ~ 10c12
Devizes10/22
Holt Jn10/40
Bradford Jn10/45
Bathampton11/05
Bath Spa11/10
Bristol Temple Meads11.27a ~ 11.35d
Taunton12L30a ~ 12L40d
Norton Fitzwarren12/45
Ilfracombe15.10a ~ 16.25d
Exeter St Davids18.04a ~ 18.
Salisbury20.22a ~ 20.28d
Waterloo21.52a
This special wouldn't have conflicted with any service trains - there was the 09.25 Trowbridge to Devizes where it arrived at 09.55 would have been safely berthed at Devizes which it didn't leave until 11.10. However, the 'Western Belle' was reported as half an hour late at Devizes making it there at about 10.50 so it shouldn't have delayed the 'local' heading back towards Patney and Chirton.
Ian Allan Western Belle
Saturday 19th October 1963
Details:- Courtesy Six Bells Junction Railtour Files.
Locos Used4472 'Flying Scotsman', 7317 & 7332 Route :
Loco(s)Route
4472London Paddington - Slough - Twyford - Reading - Southcote Jn - Bewyn - Patney & Chirton - Devizes - Holt Jn - Bradford Jn - Bathampton - Bath Spa - North Somerset Jn - Bristol Tempel Meads - Worle Jn - Uphill Jn - Bridgwater - Taunton
7317 + 7332 Taunton - Norton Fitzwarren - Milverton - Venn Cross - Dulverton - Swimbridge - Barnstaple East Jn - Barnstaple South Jn - Barnstaple Junction - Barnstaple Town - Braunton (1) - (1) Morthoe & Woolacombe - Ilfracombe
7317 + 7322 Ilfracombe - (1) Morthoe & Woolacombe - Braunton - Barnstaple Town - Barnstaple Junction - Eggesford - Coleford Jn - Crediton - Cowley Brisge Jn - Exter St Davids - Exeter Central
4472 Exeter Central - Axminster - Yeovil Junction - Templecombe - Salisbury - Woking - Hampton Court Jn - Clapham Junction - London Waterloo
Location Booked time.
Paddington08.33d
Newbury09/38
Bedwyn09/57
Patney & Chirton10c11 ~ 10c12
Devizes10/22
Holt Jn10/40
Bradford Jn10/45
Bathampton11/05
Bath Spa11/10
Bristol Temple Meads11.27a ~ 11.35d
Taunton12L30a ~ 12L40d
Norton Fitzwarren12/45
Ilfracombe15.10a ~ 16.25d
Exeter St Davids18.04a ~ 18.
Salisbury20.22a ~ 20.28d
Waterloo21.52a
This special wouldn't have conflicted with any service trains - there was the 09.25 Trowbridge to Devizes where it arrived at 09.55 would have been safely berthed at Devizes which it didn't leave until 11.10. However, the 'Western Belle' was reported as half an hour late at Devizes making it there at about 10.50 so it shouldn't have delayed the 'local' heading back towards Patney and Chirton.
Publicity in the Wiltshire times on Friday 18th October 1963. From the Guy Vincent Collection.
Timetables Sept 63 -June 64
Weekdays only no Sunday service on the Devizes line.
Weekdays only no Sunday service on the Devizes line.
The Devizes branch in 2022 - Guy Vincent
The remains of the former Devizes branch trackbed approximately half a mile east of the site of the former Semington Halt and the old Wilts and Berks Canal bed, plus the former A350 road, now an unclassified no-through route since the opening in 2004 of the A350 Semington bypass. The pictures were taken where the new bypass cuts across the railway line formation on a slightly lower level and a gate gives access to the heavily overgrown trackbed. Another location where countless GWR steam locos, WR Diesel Hydraulics and First-Generation DMUs plied their trade up until April 1966 when Beeching's Axe took a fatal swing. Today, 20th February 2022, the A350 (built across this small area once occupied by the branch line) played host to DB Cargo-owned Type 5 diesel electric loco 66044 en-route from Westbury to Toton (Notts) for repairs. [See the News Column for 20th February 2022]
Guy Vincent.
Guy Vincent.
Bowerhill, Trackbed of Devizes Branch looking west towards Semington Halt from A350 20th February 2022. Copyright Guy Vincent.
Bowerhill nr Melksham Trackbed of former Devizes Branch towards Semington Halt from A350 Semington Bypass 20th February 2022 Copyright Guy Vincent
Many thanks Guy.
Looking back on proposals for a New Devizes station
Guy Vuncent
Guy Vuncent
Letter from Guy on the 21st June 2022.
Hello Keith I was interested to read of a further attempt / proposal to establish a ‘Parkway’ station on the Berks and Hants line at Lydeway to the south of Devizes. The idea has been mooted on several occasions over the past 40 or so years with no positive outcome realised. I have attached a shot of a page from one of my scrapbooks covering this topic from newspaper reports dating from 1986 and 1992. These make for entertaining reading although I am sure there was good intention at the time. The idea of using old sleepers for platforms and then bringing the former station footbridge down from Patney in three sections certainly raised a laugh or two. Since the mid 1960s Bedwyn has served as the terminating point for local services from Paddington and stations to Newbury and was the westernmost station on the line under the Network SouthEast period (1986~1996). Pewsey has always relied on a token service of trains broadly angled around serving London in the morning peak and towards Plymouth from late afternoon and into the evening. Since 2018 things have improved with more off-peak trains in both directions. As always, time will tell but I expect this idea to be in the ‘pending’ file for some time to come. Best regards Guy Vincent.
Hello Keith I was interested to read of a further attempt / proposal to establish a ‘Parkway’ station on the Berks and Hants line at Lydeway to the south of Devizes. The idea has been mooted on several occasions over the past 40 or so years with no positive outcome realised. I have attached a shot of a page from one of my scrapbooks covering this topic from newspaper reports dating from 1986 and 1992. These make for entertaining reading although I am sure there was good intention at the time. The idea of using old sleepers for platforms and then bringing the former station footbridge down from Patney in three sections certainly raised a laugh or two. Since the mid 1960s Bedwyn has served as the terminating point for local services from Paddington and stations to Newbury and was the westernmost station on the line under the Network SouthEast period (1986~1996). Pewsey has always relied on a token service of trains broadly angled around serving London in the morning peak and towards Plymouth from late afternoon and into the evening. Since 2018 things have improved with more off-peak trains in both directions. As always, time will tell but I expect this idea to be in the ‘pending’ file for some time to come. Best regards Guy Vincent.
From the Guy Vincent Collection