PRINCES RISBOROUGH TO OXFORD (GWR)

8th March 2006

The line from Princes Risborough to Oxford was opened by the Wycombe Railway but later became part of the GWR. It provided a useful diversionary route for Oxford - London expresses but was eventually closed between Thame and Morris Cowley in 1967. The line between Thame oil depot and the Watlington branch divergence was closed in 1991 and lifted a few years later. Much of it has now been converted into a Sustrans foot/cycle route known as the Phoenix Trail. Morris Cowley to Kennington Junction remains open to serve the BMW plant.

Sixteen years later this is the same area. Much of the cutting is now heavily overgrown. 2nd November 2006. OS: SP582052	Horspath tunnel eastern portal. 2nd November 2006 OS: SP580051	The western portal of Horspath tunnel, which is now a habitat for bats. 15th June 2006. OS: SP576050	The western portal photographed in 1990. The approach cutting was very heavily overgrown at this time but is now a nature reserve. OS: SP576050
Looking west from the western portal of the tunnel. 15th June 2006. OS: SP576050	Looking east from the same spot with the tunnel portal in the distance. 15th June 2006. OS: SP575049	The western approach cutting to Horspath tunnel looking west. 15th June 2006. OS: SP575049	The stone built overbridge at Horspath. 15th June 2006. OS: SP574049
Looking east towards the tunnel from the overbridge at Horspath. 15th June 2006. OS: SP574049	The underbridge in Horspath village. A recent proposal to demolish the bridge met with much local opposition. Horspath Halt was located on the right hand (Oxford) side of the bridge. Note the lettering on the parapet dating from the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. 15th June 2006. OS: SP572046	Littlemore. The station site on 26th October 2006. This section of line remains open for freight. OS: SP535025	The bridge carrying the line over the Thames at Kennington. This section of the line remains open to give access to the BMW car plant at Cowley. 14th March 1991. OS: SP524027
Diagram of the route. The closed section is shown in grey.	Edmondson severed half ticket from the line.

Mapping images used on this site produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Images reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.