Westbury to Salisbury

Westbury to
Salisbury

History of the line:- Notes compiled by Terry Waldron
Duncan Harper, in his book Wilts and Somerset Railway, reports that Roger Hopkins and Sons, Bath Engineers, surveyed much of the Wilts, Somerset and Dorset c1936 and in addition he also surveyed a separate Salisbury and Warminster Railway as an extension to the former. Although some documents exist relating to the former it appears the documents relating to the latter have disappeared.
Isambard Kingdom Brunel met with parties, at Warminster on 9 July 1844, who were interested in creating a railway between the Great Western Main Line at Chippenham (now Thingley Junction) and Weymouth with a Branch from Westbury to Salisbury. After full discussion it was resolved that it was expedient to form a Provisional Committee for the purpose of carrying out the important objects submitted to the meeting on the conditions proposed by the Great Western Railway Company

The Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway (WS&WR) was formed and an Act of Parliament passed for the line on 30 June 1845. Construction commenced with I.K. Brunel as Engineer for this Broad Gauge Railway.
This company only lasted until 14 March 1850 when the GWR took over, this arrangement being legalised in 1851.
From soon after the date of the Act work on the railway started and the section between Westbury and Warminster was opened as single track Broad Gauge on 9 September 1851, but due to financing problems, and obtaining funding at reasonable rates, it was to be a further 5 years before the Warminster to Salisbury section opened on 11 June 1856 where the only traffic was coal from the Radstock Coalfields, passenger services started shortly after on 30 June 1856.
Conversion from Broad Gauge to Standard Gauge on 18 and 19 August 1874.

Initially there was only one passing place, at Wylye, further loops being added at Wilton in 1867, Heytesbury in 1888, Codford in 1898 and Wishford in 1898. Double track being fully laid by 28 April 1901.
In 1902 there were 7 weekday and saturday trains stopping at all stations from Westbury to Salisbury and 8 from Salisbury to Westbury, on Sundays there were only two trains in each direction but only stopping at major stations. By 1947 there were only 5 weekday and Saturday trains in each direction. Daily pick up and drop goods trains called at each station and there were regular coal trains dropping off wagons at each station.
Heytesbury, Codford, Wylye, Wishford and Wilton (North) were finally closed to passenger traffic on 19 September 1955 and due to no Sunday stopping trains the last passenger train ran on 17 September 1955.

Many thanks to Terry Waldron for the above notes and the many illustrations and photographs of his which follow. (His copyright)

Westbury Twenty eight miles from BTM

The modern image of the time as class 59 Yeoman Enterprise coming in from Heywood Road Junction passes the new signalling centre. 6th May 1988 Copyright Roger Winnen

What a colourful array. Semaphores at Westbury. Lines to the left go to Hawheridge Junction and thence to Trowbridge and Bath. Those to the right go to Heywood Road Junction and thence to Reading and London. 21st April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

Westbury station frontage. Access is via an underpass, steps, and more recently lifts, being provided up to the two island platforms. Seen on a lovely sunny April day 21st April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

Its the 21st April 1976 as a Western passes the North signalbox. Copyright Roger Winnen

Freight at Westbury heading towards the Middle Signalbox 31st March 1978 . Copyright Roger Winnen

The same freight but much nearer 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen,

Looking into Westbury stabling point - class 56's in evidence - used on the stone traffic at the time. 10th August 1990 Copyright Roger Winnen

A seasonal train - the weedkiller topped and tailed with class 20's at Westbury 20th August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

ARC Class 59 at Westbury. 20th August 1991 Copyright Roger Winnen

Westbury avoiding lines

In the Salisbury to Westbury line crosses over the Westbury avoiding line on the Berks Hants. A Western hauls a down service, next stop probably Taunton. The date 21st April 1976 N.B. the Westbury two and a quarter mile long avoiding line between Heywood Road junction (nearer London) and Fairwood Junction was opened in 1933. Copyright Roger Winnen

The white horse gazes down from his perch on the hills, in the foreground a freight train bound for Salisbury crosses over the west of England main line. The crescent shape, centre left of the picture over the trees is not an early Moon but a plume of steam from the cement works beyond Westbury. 21st April 1976. Copyright Roger Winnen

Dilton Marsh Twenty nine and a quarter miles from BTM

Copyright Derek Buttivant N.B. Derek wishes to point out that at the time this picture was taken this stretch of line was under 'Southern Region' control and that he had at the time a pass entitling him to be on the track.

Derek Buttivant writes- I was pleased to see the new photos of the Westbury-Salisbury line and especially those of Dilton Marsh Halt. I lived at Dilton Marsh, within sight of the line, from 1968 to 1972. In about 1970 or 1971 BR workers arrived to shorten the sleeper-built platforms at the halt from their original (I think) five-car length to three-car length. (Subsequently they were shortened even further so that trains calling there now can board/alight passengers only through the crew door on dmus). The platform shortening was quickly and crudely done simply by sawing through the platforms at their outer ends (furthest from the access paths) and rebuilding the ramps. My photo shows this process part-way through, looking towards Westbury. The large station sign was left in place but the totem on the lamp post was discarded and the post sawn through. Note that the new stop sign is in place (as seen in the later pictures) but with rubble strewn along the platform in a way that would not be permitted today (the station was open and in use at the time of the photo).
Kind regards, Derek. Many thanks Derek

Dilton Marsh 2nd June 1984 Copyright Keith Jenkin

Dilton as 33022 passes with a train for Westbury and Bristol 2nd June 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

This picture clearly illustrates how the up and down platforms are staggered either side of the bridge by which the road passes underneath. 2nd June 1984 Copyright Mike Roach

A closer view of the majority of the CRS party stand on the Westbury bound platform, 2nd June 1984 Copyright Mike Roach

The steep approach to the platform at Dilton Marsh 2nd June 1984 Copyright Roger Winnen

A class 33 approaches with a service for Salisbury and Portsmouth. 2nd June 1984 Copyright Mike Roach.

Dilton Marsh as Mike Roach is framed himself by the way out board. 2nd June 1984. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Just passing through Dilton Marsh. 21st April 1976 Copyright Roger Winnen

Just passing through Dilton Marsh. 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

Dilton Marsh gets bigger in 2018
Guy Vincent

Dilton Marsh Halt, 1.5 miles south of Westbury is currently undergoing platform extension works to enable more than one door to be released on trains calling here. The halt was last rebuilt in 1993 and each platform has a usable length of just 14.9 metres. This is being increased by 10 metres to 24.9 metres enabling one complete 'Turbo' carriage (23.5 metres) to fit. At the same time the height of each platform is being corrected as subsidence is an issue here, the halt being located on a tall embankment. New steel pile foundations have been driven into the bank and the supporting piers will have screw threads enabling the platforms to be wound back up to the required height should movement ever take place. It has been necessary to construct large scaffold trestles behind each platform to enable the work to be done, along with access tracks across surrounding land from the nearby country lanes. Four pictures of platform 2 (Salisbury bound) taken on April 16th. NB By quirk of fate trains travelling 'down' from here are, in reality, facing a stiff uphill climb of 1 in 70 for over a mile to the summit at Upton Scudamore. Up trains behave in the opposite way with constant, steady braking necessary as they approach the 40 mph permanent speed restriction through Westbury South Junction. Many thanks Guy

A distant view of the works at Dilton Marsh Down platform - number 2. 18th April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Dilton Marsh Platform 2 Scaffold & Foundation Pile works. 16th April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Dilton Marsh Platform 2 Works 16th April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Dilton Marsh Platform 1 Works 16th April 2018 Copyright Guy Vincent

Close by Dilton lies the village of Upton Scudamore, its about midway between Westbury and Warminster.

Back on 6th June 1984, 47284 slogs its way up the ‘hill’ from Westbury past Upton Scudamore with a Speedlink bound for Eastleigh. Copyright Ron Kosys. Upton Scudamore is four miles distant from Westbury and Warminster. Interestingly the parish contains a hamlet called Halfway!!

Warminster Thirty two and three quarter miles from BTM

Warminster station in 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes:- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends.
Warminster Down 283 ft Up 424 ft

Guy Vincent writes:- I noticed the old 'Travelling Safe' on the down platform at Warminster waiting to be put onto what I think was the 1007 Bristol Temple Meads-Portsmouth Harbour train hauled by 47543 in May 1988. I remember that there used to be a train-operated bell that rang as 'down' trains passed Upton Scudamore summit approximately 2 miles away towards Westbury and this just gave the duty porter / parcels clerk time to cross from the up-side parcels office ready to deal with any items requiring loading or unloading. Most interesting - thank you Guy.

Looking from the footbridge towards Westbury. April 2006. Copyright Chris Osment

Warminster 2nd June 1984 Copyright Mike Roach

By April 2006 Trowbridge station has gained a covered bicycle shelter has been painted up and there are some nice hanging floral decorations. Copyright Chris Osment

Car parking is restricted on the right hand side by yellow lines but further car parking has been established on the 'Salisbury' side. This picture April 2006 Copyright Chris Osment.

Warminster 2nd June 84 Looking North Copyright Mike Roach

Another view at Warminster looking north towards Westbury as members of the minibus party sample and test the footbridge. 2nd June 1984 Copyright Mike Roach

A view on the 5th April 1980 shows the loop still in but the sidings gone. Copyright Roger Winnen

Warminster at 19.06 on the 5th Aug 2014 as a service from Bristol which has terminated here crosses over to return to Bristol. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Warminster at 19.06 on the 5th Aug 2014 as a service from Bristol which has terminated here crosses over to return to Bristol. One would never know that there had ever been a goods yards or loop here! Copyright Keith Jenkin

Warminster at 19.06 on the 5th Aug 2014 as a service from Bristol which has terminated here crosses over to return to Bristol. Copyright Keith Jenkin

Warminster at 19.06 on the 5th Aug 2014 as a service from Bristol which has terminated here having over returns to Bristol. Copyright Keith Jenkin

An unusual view of Warminster, the nearest platform being for services to Westbury, Bath and Bristol. Note the ground frame in the foreground. 5th April 1980

A sign at Westbury. Copyright Mike Roach

How things change? Viewed from the platform as a Class 31 leaves Warminster Station heading for Salisbury and probably Portsmouth Harbour on the 5th April 1980 . Note all the sidings still present at that time. Copyright Roger Winnen

Warminster Station and signalbox from a departing train bound for Salisbury. The date is 2nd August 1977. Copyright Roger Winnen

This time Roger was at the back of the train to get a better shot of the scene at Warminster Station. 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

-- and thank heavens he continued to brave the cold winter air to get this more distant shot south of Warminster. A class 47 waits in the loop. Goods facilities were withdrawn from Warminster w.e.f. 2nd April 1973. This picture 31st March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

Railtour to Warminster
66779 heads a 12 coach train, reporting number 1Z66 on 26 August 2017. Starting from Peterborough at 0704, via Finsbury park, Clapham Junction, Salisbury to Warminster 1230 (for the Salisbury Plain village of Imber) and then onto Bath and Bristol Temple Meads. The village of Imber, on the Salisbury Plain firing ranges is open for a limited time each year (this village was evacuated in 1943 and villagers have only been allowed to visit for limited periods since then - the church remains intact but almost all the other buildings have been demolished), today many old Routemaster buses along with a few of the new London Transport buses took passengers from Warminster Station to Imber and through many of the roads on Salisbury Plain that are normally only open to Military vehicles. You will see from the photos that the first 3 coaches and the loco were not on the platform, the same is true for the last 3 coaches. This must be the longest train to ever stop at Warminster. Regards Terry Waldron Many thanks Terry

The Route 66 Railtour headed by 66779 calls at Warminster on the 26th August 2017 Copyright Terry Waldron

The Route 66 Railtour headed by 66779 stands at Warminster where it overlapped the platform by three coaches at each end! 26th August 2017 Copyright Terry Waldron

Before the railtour, 158 957 calls 26th August 2017 Copyright Terry Waldron

Heytesbury Thirty six and a half miles from BTM

Heytesbury Plan of 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends. Down 317 ft Up 347 ft

Heytesbury station. After platform removal in about 1961 From the Terry Waldron Collection Copyright

Heytesbury station. Scratchbury Hill 649' in the distance. From the Terry Waldron Collection

For a 25" to the mile map of the area courtesy of the National Library of Scotland click below. Zoom in to show track layouts at the time.

http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.1771&lon=-2.1124&layers=168&b=1

CLOSING OF
WISHFORD AND HEYTESBURY STATIONS
WITHDRAWAL OF PASSENGER TRAIN
SERVICE FROM WILTON NORTH, WYLYE
AND CODFORD STATIONS

On and from Monday, 19th September, 1955, Wishford and Heytesbury stations will be closed entirely and the passenger train service withdrawn from Wilton North, Wylye and Codford stations, which will remain open for parcels and freight traffic.
British Railways will continue to provide collection and delivery services throughout the area for parcels and freight traffic. Facilities for truckload traffic and small consignments at present handed in or collected at Wishford and Heytesbury will be available at the adjacent stations.
Further information may be obtained from the Station Master or Goods Agent. Salisbury (Telephone Salisbury 2201); Station Masters Wilton North (Telephone Wilton 3248); Wylye (Telephone Wylye 226); Codford (Telephone Codford St. Mary 204); Warminster (Telephone Warminster 2002 (passenger) or 2383 (freight) or from the District Traffic Superintendent, British Railways, Woking, Surrey (Telephone Woking 2424).
Alternative bus facilities in the area are provided jointly by the Wilts & Dorset Motor Services Ltd. And The Western National Omnibus Co. Ltd., who operate a frequent service between Salisbury and Warminster. A service is also provided by Wylye Valley Motor Services to and from Salisbury.
Enquiries regarding bus services should be adressed to:-
WILTS & DORSET MOTOR SERVICES LTD.
Endless Street , Salisbury
(Telephone Salisbury 2255)
THE WESTERN NATIONAL OMNIBUS CO. LTD.,
Market House, Trowbridge.
(Telephone Trowbridge 3170)
WYLYE VALLEY MOTOR SERVICES.
West Close, Codford, Wilts
(Telephone Codford St. Mary 337).

Text taken by Terry Waldron when reading local newpapers.

A class 158 approaching Heytesbury in February 2005. Copyright Kevin Jenkin

A shot from the overbridge gives one some idea of the length of the platform - perhaps three or four coaches long. February 2005 Copyright Kevin Jenkin N.B. A further note from Terry Waldron who writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956. It shows the platform lengths exculding the ramps to be - Heytesbury Down 317 ft Up 347 ft.

A closer view at Heytesbury, the station building appears to be occupied on one side. February 2005 Copyright Kevin Jenkin

Heytesbury station from line side with permission. Copyright Terry Waldron

Heytesbury station from the road approach. Copyright Terry Waldron

Detail of the fine work on the station buildings. 9th May 2009. Copyright Terry Waldron.

Please note - the owners of this property and the station house are not railway enthusiasts and do not relish constant visits by railway enthusiasts who wish to view the site and its buildings, so please respect their privacy. They are, however, very interested in the overall history of the site and its buildings.

A scale drawing courtesy Terry Waldron. . Drawing dated 16th February 2010. Copyright.

For a 1902 25" map of the area courtesy National Library of Scotland please click below.
http://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=17&lat=51.1774&lon=-2.1134&layers=168&b=1

The original Station Masters House, original station building and land that contained the goods shed and sidings have been bought in three separate purchases by the current owners. The original station building was purchased from BR by a scrap merchant and he stripped out the whole of the interior of the building. In doing this he removed the platform access doors (doorway blocked up with breeze blocks), and the access doors at rear and combined them together and re-located them at the rear most entrance to the building, this can be seen in my photographs and the interior plan.
The land which had the sidings and goods shed was used by Wiltshire Council for many years until purchase by current owners. Although the goods shed was demolished many years ago some of the Chilmark stone from which it was built remains on the site. Notes by Terry Waldron his copyright

HEYTESBURY STATION
Date opened:                                    11 June 1856 (freight only), 30 June 1856 (passenger)
Location:                                              West of minor road
Company on opening:                   Great Western Railway
Date closed to passenger:            19 September 1955
Date closed completely:                               19 September 1955
Company on closing:                      British Railways (Southern Region)
County:                                                                Wiltshire
OS Grid Reference:                         923418
Date of visit:                                       May 2009
Notes:
The station is about ½ mile from the village on the west side of Tytherington Lane and unusually the station had no footbridge, there was however a road bridge at the Salisbury end of the platforms.
In 1916 a junction was put in on the up line (almost opposite the goods shed) for the Sutton Veny Camp Railway, the main traffic being hospital trains to the Camp Hospital, this was removed and track taken up in 1926, with the exception of the parts on GWR property which appear to have been removed c1935. The line was about 3 ½ miles long and worked by Hunslet 0-6-0 No 38 Jersey Marine and Barclay 0-4-0ST Glasgow.
The Station Masters and Seniors Porters houses still remain and are private residences. The station building remains, albeit totally gutted inside and without canopies, this is on private land and owned by the current owner of the Station Masters House – as they are NOT Railway Enthusiasts they do not relish lots of visitors who wish to ‘nose’ around the site and as such their privacy should be respected.
It appears that this station building and that of Wishford were exactly the same in appearance and dimensions and both designed by R P Brereton (on behalf of I K Brunel).
This station was sold by BR in 1955 for the sum of £50 and was part of a reclamation centre, as such the interior was gutted and used for storage for some 40 years. Some of the stonework of the goods shed remain in a field close to where it was erected and is being retained for future building works.
The road bridge was in need of repairs a few years ago and no-one could understand why one part of the bridge was crumbling, until one of the elderly residences mentioned the steam locos used to stop almost directly under this part of the bridge.
Water supply for the station was from a well by hand pump and the pump was located to the rear and on one side of the building, the original pump is still in existence at 2009.

   Drawing and notes by Terry Waldron. (His Copright)

Diversions via Heytesbury By Terry Waldron

Over the weekend of 29 March to 1 April 2013 there were major works taking place at Reading Station. As a result of this all traffic from Plymouth/Penzance to Paddington was rerouted at Westbury via Salisbury to Waterloo. As such the line saw much additional traffic. In addition to the rerouting from West there were rerouted trains from the Midlands to Southampton. DPP 9955A shows a Freightliner with empties from Southampton headed for Jaguar Coventry, I cannot find one of a south going train. This one was taken from Heytesbury looking towards Salisbury. DPP9967 shows a HST passing Heytesbury Station and heading towards Salisbury. Both of these photos taken from the same bridge.

Heytesbury. Shows a Freightliner with empties from Southampton headed for Jaguar Coventry over the weekend 30th March to 1st April 2013 Copyright Terry Waldron

Heytesbury Shows a diverted HST passing Heytesbury Station and heading towards Salisbury. over the weekend 30th March 1st April 2013. Copyright Terry Waldron

Upton Lovell Level Crossing

Upton Lovell (Crossing box) GF in 1975 Copyright Chris Osment

Codford Thirty eight and three quarter miles from BTM

Codford station 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends. Down 376 ft Up 383 ft

Codford Signalbox in 1975 Copyright Chris Osment

Codford Signalbox interior 1981-82 Copyright Chris Osment

Between Codford and Sherington

Flying Scotsman coasts along from Codford heading for Salisbury on the 28th May 2016. Taken from close by site of Sherrington Signal box looking towards Codford. Copyright Terry Waldron

Sherrington Level Crossing

Sherrington Signalbox in 1977 Copyright Chris Osment

Wylye Thirty eight miles from BTM
(At one time a watering point)

A shot taken from close to the level crossing (and signal box) looking towards Wylye station (and towards Westbury). This photo c1920. On the left the single cottage is for the Station Master and the other 3 cottages for station staff. You will note the high chimney on the Station Building (on the right of the photo), to get a good draw on the fireplaces, which replaces the original, much lower, Brunel Style chimney with flat top capping. Copyright Kevin Regan

An early drawing for the stations at Wilton, Wishford, Wylye and Heytesbury. This shows the Rear Elevation (roadside). You can clearly see the Brunellian stone capped chimney. It has not been proven if the chimneys were built to this style, but the stonework does suggest so. However, all were changed to a more usual style of chimney and in some cases, to get an ideal draw for the fires, they were extended in height. All stations except Wilton were built of stone - see photos of Heytesbury Station (from the Chilmark Quarry) - Wilton was built from brick with stone quoins (see Roger Winnen's photo of Wilton North Station) Regards Terry Many thanks to Terry Waldron for the drawing and for the above invaluable information.

A photo taken from the bridge at the Westbury end of the Wylye station site. The land to the left is where the main station building and goods shed were situated, to the right the land was occupied by the Up Platform. In the distance can be seen the signal box beside the level crossing. Copyright John Alsop Collection. Information kindly supplied by Terry Waldron

Wylye 1879 Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends. Down 330 ft Up 269ft

Wylye Signalbox 1971-72 Copyright Chris Osment

Wylye Signal box interior 1981-82 Copyright Chris Osment

Wylye Station Site 66622 running light engine heading towards Westbury and passing what would have been the end of the Up Platform of Wylye Station. The level crossing can just be seen in the distance. Copyright Terry Waldron

Between Wylye and Wishford lies Little Langford - never had a station.

A three car 158 set on the Cardiff - Portsmouth Harbour route passes Little Langford - St Nicholas Church in the background. Copyright Terry Walldron

Two superb shots of steam at Liitle Langford, an ideal spot for shots either side of the line.

44932 seen on 25th November 2010 on its way to Bath and Bristol Copyright Terry Waldron

Little Langford 34047 Tangmere on the 20th June 2015 - taken from St Nicholas Church Copyright Terry Waldron

A delightful photograph taken on the 6th July 2017 of a SW trains serviice passing the turreted house at Little Langford. Sadly the SW trains livery will soon be a thing of the past as they have unfortunatley lost the franchise. Copyright Terry Waldron.

Wishford Forty seven miles from BTM

Wishford station 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends. Down 298 ft Up 300ft

The front cover of 'Wishford station' No. 2 of the GWR series by Terry Waldron. Picture by John Alsop, Copyright Terry Waldron

'Wishford station' is a fine reference book produced in A5 format. It has 64 pages of detailed text and 25 photographs plus numerous plans and diagrams. It has chapters on :-
(1) Wishford Railway Station, (2) Trackwork and Platforms, (3) The signalbox and timetables, (4) Trains, (5) The Stations Masters house and Staff, (6) Sidings and Freight, (7) Use of the land after closure.
A limited number of these books are available from Terry Waldron at £7.75 including p & p. @ 9, Hillside, Stapleford, Salisbury. SP3 4LG

The back cover of Terry's book 'Wishford station'.

Hallo Keith, I attach a scan of one ticket Wishford to Salisbury and dated 1926, so the passenger would have used the GWR station which eventually closed in 1932.. A very rare and valuable ticket courtesy the Terry Waldron Collection.

The attached map is courtesy of Wiltshire Council, the Red Lines denote the. track diagram as at closure in September 1955. Blue Lines denote 'structures'. From the Terry Waldron Collection.

From the Terry Waldron Collection

WISHFORD RAILWAY STATION
An extract from the fine book written by Terry Waldron on Wishford station and the Westbury - Salisbury line.

GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING
Great Wishford is a small Wiltshire village set in the Wylye Valley, between the river Wyle on the eastern side and Groveley Woods on the western side and at the foot of the chalk downs.
The railway follows the river through much of the valley.
The village is set in agricultural land, much of which belongs to the Wilton Estate (Earl Pembroke). The village is steeped in History, being reported in the Doomsday Book and has a 400 year old tradition of Oak Apple Day, where villagers celebrate their rights of collection of firewood from Groveley Woods. In the church is a 200 year old, hand pump, fire engine, bought by the village in the mid 1800’s.

CHRONOLOGICAL DATES:
Open to freight                                               11 June 1856
Open to passenger                                           30 June 1856
Track converted from Broad Gauge               19 June 1874
Passing loop at Wishford                                1898
Double track operational                                 28 April 1901
Additional sidings                                          September 1909
Regional Boundary change BR(WR) to (SR)            September 1950
Last train                                                         17 September 1955
Formally Closed                                              19 September 1955
Sidings taken out of use                                 27 November 1955
Footbridge removed                                       c1958
Sidings removed                                             10 September 1961
Station buildings removed                              c1963
Platform faces removed                                  c1963
Signal box non operational                             26 August 1964
Signal box removed                                        c1964
Station Masters House sold                            1976
Goods shed removed                                      c1983

HISTORY OF THE LINE
Roger Hopkins and Sons, a Bath Engineer, surveyed much of Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset for The Bath and Weymouth Great Western Union Railway in 1836 (with one branch terminating at Warminster), plans of the line exist in both Wiltshire and Somerset Records Offices, these are extensive and also show who owned each plot of land the line would pass through. In addition there are reports in the Salisbury and Winchester Journal on a number of dates in 1836.

Roger Hopkins also did a preliminary survey for The Salisbury and Warminster Railway, the Salisbury and Warminster Journal reports:
18 April 1836
“To effect a junction with the South Western and Portsmouth, Salisbury and Southampton Railways and the Bath and Weymouth Great Western Union Railway at Warminster.
Prospectus will be issued in a few days containing the names of a Provisional Committee and the cost and revenue of undertaking.
The line of the Railway will afford a cheap and expeditious communication with the Somersetshire Collieries, from which coals are now supplied by land carriage, with Bristol,

Wilton North (GW) Fifty miles from BTM

Wilton North 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive

Platform lengths – Terry Waldron writes :- I had access to a map which was not dated but suspect to be 1956, this shows platform lengths, these lengths must assume main platform excluding the ramp at the ends. Down 382ft Up 378ft

A photo of early 1930's taken from the barrow way at the end of platform and looking towards Salisbury. The two boys appear in many other local photos (quite often 3 boys). The signal box is just behind the photographer and to his left and the goods shed, which in 2017 is a sales room and warehouse for a Charity, is behind the photographer and to his right. Copyright Kevin Regan

Class 33 with oil on the western line near Wilton. 10th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Wilton North, the GW station closed on the 19th September 1955, its neighbour on the Southern, just a quarter of a mile away, closed almost eleven years later on 7th March 1966. The GW station building and goods shed survive - the goods not being withdrawn until 6th September 1965. This view 10th April 1980. Copyright Roger Winnen.

158960 passing the site of the end of the Down Platform of Wilton North (ex GWR) Station. The building which can just be seen in the trees on the left is sited just behind what was the Up Platform and the Station Building would have been just before this building. This photo is taken from Kingsway Bridge looking North West and towards Westbury. This photo is taken from almost the same point as Roger Winnens photo of 10th April 1980 (directly above) Photograph and script by Terry Waldron

An HST during the period of 29 April to 2 May 2013 when trains were diverted from Paddington to Plymouth to use Waterloo to Plymouth via Salisbury and Westbury. This photo is again taken from Kingsway Bridge, but now looking South East towards Salisbury. The platform on the right was beside the Up Refuge (see 1925 Map) and used extensively during the Sheep Fairs (held beside LSWR Station) to onload/offload Sheep. Adrian Vaughan shows a photo in GWRJ 27, page 180, of sheep being loaded/unloaded here. The bridge in the background is on The Avenue and is close to the Salisbury Park and Ride site at Wilton. Both sides of the line at this point (between bridges Kingsway and Avenue) is where the NEW Wilton Parkway Station is proposed (2016/2017) to be built.. Script and photograph courtesy Terry Waldron. Copyright.

Wilton North station was in the area marked GWR>

The case for reopening Wilton North.
This entry dated April 2017.

Consideration is being given to an idea to re-open Wilton North - the old GWR station on the Warminster to Salsibury line. Wilton North and Wilton South lay within yards of each other close to the point where the two companies lines one ran alongside each other towards Salisbury and more recently where the metals from Exeter and Westbury join two form a common line through to Salisbury.
To view this suggestion for the reopening of this station and others at Corsham and Royal Compton Basset as well as the expansion of Chippenham to be a three platform station please click here https://transwilts.org/index.php

Quidhampton Quarry

It is owned by Imerys and produced chalk and china clay until its closure in 2009. Wilkipedia

Wilton Junction is the junction between the two main lines, that from Westbury in the foreground merging with the double track line from Yeovil and Exeter which can be seen at the right hand side of the picture. The crossover in the foreground was used for train accessing Quidhampton Quarry which was rail served via a siding off the main line to the left. 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

We are looking back towards the connection with the National Network at Wilton Junction. The metals to the right lead into the quarry itself. A run round loop is visible which leads into a single track before the main line connection. This alignment was formerly the double track main line from Westbury leading from Wilton North direct to the GW terminal at Salisbury. This picture taken 31st March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen.

Looking towards Salisbury. All that remains of the former double track is this headshunt. 31st March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

47360 Quidhampton 19th April 1988 6L08 1330 Quidhampton-Salisbury Copyright Ron Kosys

Wilton Junction Class 31 Leaves Salisbury on the Western Line for Westbury etc. The southern line for Honiton and Exeter on the right hand side. 10th April 1980 Copyright Roger Winnen

Timetable 18th June to 23rd September 1951

Salisbury Fifty two and half miles from BTM

Salisbury 1860. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire Libraries. Note east is to the right of this map.

Salisbury 1879. Reproduced with kind permission of Wiltshire and Swindon Records Archive. Note - east is to the left of this map.

A class 47 heads the stone empties out of Salisbury making for the Mendips on the 31st March 1978. Something one never seems to see these days are the 'inside the fence' staff allotments. Note the white sighting board behind the home signal. Copyright Roger Winnen

Eight years later on the 25th October 1986 the allotments are still there and the crop looks healthy but the motive power has changed as a class 59 approaches with the stone empties. Another sign of modernisation, the semaphore signal has gone.Copyright Roger Winnen

Note from Chris Osment ;- The pictures below are of, in, or taken from the ex-GWR ‘C’ box at Salisbury. At the time the signalling controlled from it was being rationalised, with the lever-frame being reduced from 96 to 65 levers, with ‘work in progress’ during my visit, hence both the ‘old’ and (not yet in use) ‘new’ box diagrams on display.

Salisbury 'C' Box in 1972. Copyright Chris Osment

Salisbury C Signalbox i nterior (1) Note the new panel has tape across it marking it not ready for use!! Copyright Chris Osment

The old panel. Copyright Chris Osment

A close up of the old panel - apologies for the standard of editing but there was much light and reflections problems. Original Copyright Chris Osment

The west end of Salisbury in 1972. Copyright Chris Osment

One of Rogers 'out of the back window shots' from a train departing Salisbury on the 31st March 1978. Here one sees the area now occupied by the South West Trains depot. Indeed one can see right up to the GWR terminal buildings. The GWR station closed to passengers on the 12th September 1932. Copyright Roger Winnen

Earl of Mount Edgecombe at Paltform 4 at Salisbury on the 13th April 2013. It had come from Soilihul with the 'Moonraker' Copyright Terry Waldron

780331t The former Great Western Station at Salisbury. Seen from the end of the 'Southern station platform. 31st March 1978 Copyright Roger Winnen

Another view of the former Great Western Station at Salisbury again on the 31st March 1978. Copyright Roger Winnen

The exterior of Salisbury Station on 31st March 1978. The city centre and the cathedral are about half a mile away. Copyright Roger Winnen

It's 25th October 1986 as the driver of 33045 leans from his window awaiting departure west from Salisbury. Copyright Roger Winnen

Its the same day as above as 6998 Burton Agnes Hall stands, more or less opposite the class 33 pictured above awaiting its next turn of duty. Copyright Roger Winnen

A fine sight as Tornado approaches Salisbury from east and is passing the point of 1906 accident. 27th June 2013 Copyright Terry Waldron

A quick look at Salisbury Station