Abandoned Disused Railways Cirencester Station
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- Searching for disused and abandoned railways in the countryside can be challenging, but in towns and cities the problem is much worse. Not just because most of the land has been taken over, officially and unofficially, making access difficult if not impossible, but because the line will often have been built over and simply nothing remains. Building pressures are high in prime town and city centres. If you are lucky you may get a road named after something railway, but very often the history of the area has been completely forgotten or ignored in the rush for profit.
In this walk in Cirencester I initially had a problem finding the railway even though the map suggested there were sections still there. The problem being when simply surrounded by houses, I find it difficult to orientate myself with the map. One housing estate has been joined to another and for a while it looked a hopeless case, but hope springs eternal they say and eventually I stumbled across the section. Once having found it the problem is eased because the alignment can then be calculated if not always visible.
I was surprised and delighted by how much remained, considering how much building is in evidence in Cirencester, but inevitably we were heading for disappointment and this came at the station site where appart from a possible engine or goods building, there was not even as much as a single brick remaining. Well if there was I couldn't find it. Never the less, overall a good day out.
Many thanks for all the Research you put into this, Shame so much along the route was lost but still little clues along the way you found proving the line was once there Regards Graham
Thanks Graham. P.W.
Love watching theses little adventures with a hot chocolate on a Friday night, I think I skipped my 20s :)
Thank you Ellie.
Expertly researched, as always. You’ve located far more of the line than I’ve managed over many years. On the site of Watermoor Station there’s a plaque detailing a rather good history of the line ( located on the green near a mini roundabout, about 75 yards off the ring road - hopefully it’s still there). I thoroughly enjoy your series. Much appreciated.
Rodney Masters
Lambourn
Haven't noticed the plaque you mention before. Not sure if it still there, but walk around that area most days so will keep an eye open.
Neal Dorling It was some years ago, perhaps someone borrowed it. A shame because there was good detail of the lost station area on that bend.
Thanks for that Rodney, next time I am over there I will see if I can find it. P.W.
Rodney, I am looking out for that sign next time I am there. P.W.
Parkinson's Walks it was a few years ago, then looked very new. I’m in Cirencester in a week or two so I’ll take another look. Very much enjoyed the Siddington feature. There’s several walkable lengths of the line immediately north of Marlborough, but rather bland and not so interesting as the section south of the town- barely walkable as it approaches the Kennet and Avon canal, though notable for the fascinating clash with the GWR line to Marlborough.
Hi.
I have also recently attempted to walk the old line and I think those concrete tank traps mark the site of the back of the southbound platform. If you search images of Cirencester Watermoor station on the internet you should find an historic image showing these blocks at the rear of the platform
Good man Matt, I'll check that out. P.W.
Yes Matt is correct, amazing they are still there. Regards Julian.
Another great video. I didn't think there would be much left of the railway around Cirencester with all the development work that's gone on since the line was closed. I was surprised at how much was left.
Glad you enjoyed it, I had a job to find the line of the railway at first, but from there it wasn't too bad. P.W.
Very much enjoyed the video of my home town, thank you for filming. Whilst the street / building names may not describe the history along that particular line, on the other disused line you have highlighted on your map there is a very new little building that has the word 'halt' in its name, at very close to the location of a long gone station :) Look forward to see if you explore further south towards Siddington as there's the side walls of an old railway bridge in a field. As I think I commented on your interim video, there's also very interesting remains of a canal lock flight on the south edge of Siddington playing fields.
Thanks Neal. Siddington coming up. P.W
i guess it is pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good site to stream new movies online ?
@Neil Baylor lately I have been using Flixzone. Just google for it =)
@Jaxson Kai Definitely, been using FlixZone for years myself :)
@Jaxson Kai thank you, I signed up and it seems to work :) I appreciate it!!
My home town. The Watermoor station was where Screwfix is now, the entrance to it was on the road that goes up to the roundabout. If you look in the old photos there are about 3 or 4 trees that still remain today which is a useful reference.
Thanks for the info, there is nothing like local knowledge. Ron
Not your fault you couldn't find the station you were looking for. GWR was better than nothing though! Another wonderful film. Thank you for all your efforts.
Very true!
Thank you again, another interesting video, as already mentioned there's more round the Siddington area. Railmaponline is a good resource, but not really mobile - friendly.
Thanks Rob, Siddington is next up. P.W.
The station platform was the flat section where the concrete blocks are - these blocks can be seen in old photos of the station.
Thanks Rick, I might go and take another look. P.W.
Will you be exploring the line from Cirencester to Kemble and Kemble to Tetbury at sometime after you have completed the M&SWR?
Hi Craig. I have already covered sections of both. If you go to my channel and search for 'Kemble' and 'Tetbury' you should find them. P.W.
Thanks for a great video. I have been on this old disused track many times but if you are interested, Britain from above has got some stunning views of this old railway. I think the photos on this website date from 1939 and they give a superb view of the tracks before modern developments took over.
A little tip, if you register with Britain from above you can zoom in and get great detail. Excellent for someone such as yourself. Keep up the great work.
britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW061818
Thanks for that John, I.ll give it a look. P.W.
station on the Kemple line is now the bus station
Thanks Brian, useful info. P.W.
Another great video - I love your series. I find the National Library of Scotland mapping site really useful for tracing old railways - historic and present day maps can be overlaid, so you can see where things were on the current layout. maps.nls.uk/
Thanks Keith
Sub795.thumbs up.
Thank you. P.W.