NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 71
Cirencester
Michael L. Roach
Cirencester is a pleasant market town, of Roman origin, situated in The Cotswolds equidistant from both Gloucester and Swindon. When the railway was constructed between these two larger towns it passed some four miles to the south west but a branch line was built and opened at the same time; an example of a very early branch line. The branch started at Kemble and finished at a terminus on Tetbury Road to the west of the Market Place and town centre. This station was later called Cirencester Town.
In the first few days of April 1964 a colleague at work, who was not a railway enthusiast, asked me where I was going the following weekend and I said it could be Kemble in Gloucestershire because of railway closures; because one of the attractions was that there were to be two closures as a second branch travelled in the opposite direction from Kemble to the town of Tetbury which was also in The Cotswolds. In the end I decided not to go, principally I think because it was a long way and diesel closures were not my scene. Cirencester also had a second through station on the Midland & South Western Junction Line which had closed on and from 11 September 1961.
Both branches closed on and from Monday 6 April 1964, with the last passenger trains running to Tetbury on Saturday 4 April operated by railbus W79978. The last trains to Cirencester ran on Sunday 5 April operated by railbus W79977. Both railbuses were built by AC Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, with one of them surviving into preservation. Also on the Sunday both branches were covered by a railtour organised by the Gloucestershire Railway Society. This consisted of 0-4-2 tank no. 1472 with two autocoaches. 1472 had earlier been based at Newton Abbot Shed and it would be active on the last day of the Gloucester to Chalford passenger service some six months later.
We have visited Cirencester many times since 1964 and when we stayed there in August 1991 the forecourt of Town Station was being used as a bus terminus so it was a good chance to take a couple of bus photographs; and in the absence of any railway photos it is those bus photos which I show here. Stroud's buses operated under the “Stroud Valleys” name for some ten years from 1983 to 1993 and all three buses photographed that day were in Stroud Valleys green livery. The area is now served by Stagecoach. The next to last image is a page from the latest Great Western Echo which is the quarterly journal of the Great Western Society. The GW Echo has interesting articles and beautiful photographs, really well printed on the finest quality paper, and is highly recommended.
The reason for writing this article now is to publicise the Cirencester History Festival from 24 October to 2 November 2025. On Saturdays 25 October and 1 November the 1841-built Brunel-designed Grade II Listed Cirencester Town Station building will be open from 10.00 to 16.00 free of charge and without booking. The last bus photograph shows the north facade and part of the west facade of the station building which looks extremely attractive to my untrained eye, and well worth saving.
In the first few days of April 1964 a colleague at work, who was not a railway enthusiast, asked me where I was going the following weekend and I said it could be Kemble in Gloucestershire because of railway closures; because one of the attractions was that there were to be two closures as a second branch travelled in the opposite direction from Kemble to the town of Tetbury which was also in The Cotswolds. In the end I decided not to go, principally I think because it was a long way and diesel closures were not my scene. Cirencester also had a second through station on the Midland & South Western Junction Line which had closed on and from 11 September 1961.
Both branches closed on and from Monday 6 April 1964, with the last passenger trains running to Tetbury on Saturday 4 April operated by railbus W79978. The last trains to Cirencester ran on Sunday 5 April operated by railbus W79977. Both railbuses were built by AC Cars of Thames Ditton in Surrey, with one of them surviving into preservation. Also on the Sunday both branches were covered by a railtour organised by the Gloucestershire Railway Society. This consisted of 0-4-2 tank no. 1472 with two autocoaches. 1472 had earlier been based at Newton Abbot Shed and it would be active on the last day of the Gloucester to Chalford passenger service some six months later.
We have visited Cirencester many times since 1964 and when we stayed there in August 1991 the forecourt of Town Station was being used as a bus terminus so it was a good chance to take a couple of bus photographs; and in the absence of any railway photos it is those bus photos which I show here. Stroud's buses operated under the “Stroud Valleys” name for some ten years from 1983 to 1993 and all three buses photographed that day were in Stroud Valleys green livery. The area is now served by Stagecoach. The next to last image is a page from the latest Great Western Echo which is the quarterly journal of the Great Western Society. The GW Echo has interesting articles and beautiful photographs, really well printed on the finest quality paper, and is highly recommended.
The reason for writing this article now is to publicise the Cirencester History Festival from 24 October to 2 November 2025. On Saturdays 25 October and 1 November the 1841-built Brunel-designed Grade II Listed Cirencester Town Station building will be open from 10.00 to 16.00 free of charge and without booking. The last bus photograph shows the north facade and part of the west facade of the station building which looks extremely attractive to my untrained eye, and well worth saving.
Leyland National SD3075 rests between turns. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Bristol VR SD5543 and Leyland National SD3503 are seen in difficult lighting conditions. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
It was 9.00am in the morning and the rear ends were better illuminated. Behind the Leyland National single decker (in shadow) is the north facade of the 1841 Brunel station building. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
This railbus operated the last timetabled train from Kemble to Tetbury with a capacity load on the evening of 4 April 1964. It is seen at Laira in June 1964 on its way to St. Blazey. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks indeed Mike. The railbus and 'Warship' photo is particularly nice to see.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Classic traction on the RHTT
Driver Alan Peters
Due to failure of 67027 56049 was used on 3S31, the Swindon Transfer Sidings to Cheltenham Landown Road RHTT (which continues as 3S32 Lansdown Road to Swindon Transfer Sidings). It's seen paused at Barnt Green. 67023 was on the rear. 18.10.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
56049 'Robin of Templecombe'. 18.10.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
The cab of 56049. 18.10.2025, copyright Alan Peters.
Many thanks Alan - I imagine that was a nice change for you.
Carbis Branch Railtour
Roger Winnen
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
A Branch Line Society railtour on the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
The token machine at Bugle for the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
The token machine at Bugle for the Carbis Branch. 27.06.1974, copyright Roger Winnen.
Autumn Colours at Lavrean
Jon Hird
The trees are full of colour at Lavrean, near Goonbarrow. 66120 rolls through near to journeys end with the Westbury - Goonbarrow empty JIA's, 6V76. 18.10.2025, copyright Jon Hird.
The WSR Steam Gala
Paul Barlow
1893 built LSWR T3 563 1025 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Norvis bridge near Crowcombe 18 October 2025. Copyright Paul Barlow.
5029 Nunney Castle leaves Crowcombe on the 1013 Minehead to Norton Fitzwarren. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
7828 Odney Manor approaches Doniford halt on 1113 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
9351 leaves Williton on 1323 Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
9351 Nethercott near Crowcombe on 0925 Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. 18.10.2025, copyright Paul Barlow.
Many thanks, Paul.