GRENDON UNDERWOOD JUNCTION TO ASHENDON JUNCTION (GCR)
9th March 2006

The Great Central found working the joint line with the Metropolitan rather restrictive and so the GW/GC joint line was built to give an alternative route to Marylebone. In order to join the existing GCR route with the new route a link line had to be built between Grendon Underwood and Ashendon. There were two intermediate stations on the line at Akeman Street and Wotton, although the former was an early casualty.
The Railway Archive website (see links) has several images of this line when under construction. Where appropriate I have indicated the image number in my caption so this can be typed into The Railway Archive search box.
Engineer's Line Reference: GUA

<-- Index | Showing 1-70 of 70 pictures | Index -->
Looking towards Grendon Junction from bridge 1. 16th March 2006. OS: SP710217
Looking towards Grendon Junction from bridge 1. 16th March 2006. OS: SP710217
 Looking in the opposite direction from bridge 1. 16th March 2006. OS: SP711210
Looking in the opposite direction from bridge 1. 16th March 2006. OS: SP711210
 Overgrown trackbed looking towards Grendon Underwood Junction from near bridge 2. 8th April 2006.
Overgrown trackbed looking towards Grendon Underwood Junction from near bridge 2. 8th April 2006.
 Bridge 2, over a lane just south of Grendon Junction. 8th April 2006. OS: SP711210 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L2289 in the Railway Archive).
Bridge 2, over a lane just south of Grendon Junction. 8th April 2006. OS: SP711210 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L2289 in the Railway Archive).
Bridge 2 from track level. 8th April 2006. OS: SP711210
Bridge 2 from track level. 8th April 2006. OS: SP711210
 The line looking towards Grendon from bridge 3. A single track remains between Akeman Street and Grendon but the actual junction has been disconnected. 11th July 2003. OS: SP709202
The line looking towards Grendon from bridge 3. A single track remains between Akeman Street and Grendon but the actual junction has been disconnected. 11th July 2003. OS: SP709202
 Bridge 3 from track level. 16th March 2006. OS: SP709202
Bridge 3 from track level. 16th March 2006. OS: SP709202
 Looking towards Akeman Street from bridge 3. 11th July 2003. OS: SP709202
Looking towards Akeman Street from bridge 3. 11th July 2003. OS: SP709202
The chairs on this section are of LNER origin and have casting dates of 1929 or 1930. 16th March 2006. OS: SP709202
The chairs on this section are of LNER origin and have casting dates of 1929 or 1930. 16th March 2006. OS: SP709202
 Just north of Akeman Street looking towards Grendon. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP706185
Just north of Akeman Street looking towards Grendon. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP706185
 Akeman Street. Saplings growing in the
Akeman Street. Saplings growing in the "four foot". 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705185
 The points at Akeman Street giving access to the fertilizer depot. To enter the depot trains had to run onto a headshunt and reverse back. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705184
The points at Akeman Street giving access to the fertilizer depot. To enter the depot trains had to run onto a headshunt and reverse back. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705184
Akeman Street. Point lever. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705184
Akeman Street. Point lever. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705184
 The rails have almost disappeared beneath the undergrowth on the Akeman Street headshunt. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705183
The rails have almost disappeared beneath the undergrowth on the Akeman Street headshunt. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705183
 LNER chair at Akeman Street. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705182
LNER chair at Akeman Street. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705182
 A slightly less overgrown section of the Akeman Street headshunt looking north. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705182
A slightly less overgrown section of the Akeman Street headshunt looking north. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705182
Standing on the north abutment of bridge 4 at Akeman Street, looking north. This is the site of the station platforms and through roads. The end of the headshunt giving access to the fertilizer depot is visible. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this scene in 1905 see image L2286 in the Railway Archive).
Standing on the north abutment of bridge 4 at Akeman Street, looking north. This is the site of the station platforms and through roads. The end of the headshunt giving access to the fertilizer depot is visible. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this scene in 1905 see image L2286 in the Railway Archive).
 The entrance to the former up platform with the station building behind. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180
The entrance to the former up platform with the station building behind. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180
 The former Akeman Street station building is in the foreground. In common with all the GCR stations south of Calvert, the station building is at road level rather than rail level. In the background is the one surviving abutment of bridge 4, carring the line over the A41. 16th December 2005. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this scene in 1905 see image L2285 in the Railway Archive).
The former Akeman Street station building is in the foreground. In common with all the GCR stations south of Calvert, the station building is at road level rather than rail level. In the background is the one surviving abutment of bridge 4, carring the line over the A41. 16th December 2005. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this scene in 1905 see image L2285 in the Railway Archive).
 Akeman Street Station Master's house. On the left are the gateposts of the goods yard entrance. 16th December 2005. OS: SP705180
Akeman Street Station Master's house. On the left are the gateposts of the goods yard entrance. 16th December 2005. OS: SP705180
The north abutment of bridge 4 over Akeman Street. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L2290 in the Railway Archive).
The north abutment of bridge 4 over Akeman Street. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP705180 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L2290 in the Railway Archive).
 Looking north across the gap left by the removal of bridge 4. 23rd March 2006.
Looking north across the gap left by the removal of bridge 4. 23rd March 2006.
 The southern end of Akeman Street station looking north and showing the wide embankment to accommodate the passing loops and sidings. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP704189
The southern end of Akeman Street station looking north and showing the wide embankment to accommodate the passing loops and sidings. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP704189
 Looking north towards Akeman Street from near bridge 5. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP704177
Looking north towards Akeman Street from near bridge 5. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP704177
The embankment has been cut away for a farm access track to cross the formation just north of bridge 5. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176
The embankment has been cut away for a farm access track to cross the formation just north of bridge 5. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176
 Bridge 5 from below. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1294 in the Railway Archive).
Bridge 5 from below. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1294 in the Railway Archive).
 Bridge 5 from above. Part of one parapet is missing. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176
Bridge 5 from above. Part of one parapet is missing. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703176
 Just south of bridge 5, looking back towards the bridge. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703174
Just south of bridge 5, looking back towards the bridge. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703174
Looking south from the same spot towards bridge 6. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703174
Looking south from the same spot towards bridge 6. 23rd March 2006. OS: SP703174
 Soon after Akeman Street the trackbed changes from embankment to shallow cutting. Bridge 6 is near the northern end of the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702171 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1295 in the Railway Archive).
Soon after Akeman Street the trackbed changes from embankment to shallow cutting. Bridge 6 is near the northern end of the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702171 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1295 in the Railway Archive).
 Bridge 6 detail. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
Bridge 6 detail. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
 Looking towards Wotton from bridge 6. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
Looking towards Wotton from bridge 6. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
An old signal wire pulley in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
An old signal wire pulley in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP702170
 The northern half of the cutting is not too overgrown. View looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701169
The northern half of the cutting is not too overgrown. View looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701169
 One of several drain access holes situated in the former
One of several drain access holes situated in the former "six foot". 16th March 2006. OS: SP701169
 Surviving telegraph pole in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701169
Surviving telegraph pole in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701169
Progressing south through the cutting the vegetation begins to encroach more and more. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701168
Progressing south through the cutting the vegetation begins to encroach more and more. 16th March 2006. OS: SP701168
 The remains of a mile post in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP700165
The remains of a mile post in the cutting. 16th March 2006. OS: SP700165
 Further south still, and young trees begin to cover the trackbed. 16th March 2006. OS: SP699162
Further south still, and young trees begin to cover the trackbed. 16th March 2006. OS: SP699162
 Towards the southern end of the cutting, looking south with bridge 7 in the distance. 16th March 2006. OS: SP698161
Towards the southern end of the cutting, looking south with bridge 7 in the distance. 16th March 2006. OS: SP698161
One of several broken LNER telegraph pole insulators found along this section of line. 16th March 2006. OS: SP698161
One of several broken LNER telegraph pole insulators found along this section of line. 16th March 2006. OS: SP698161
 The dilapidated overbridge 7 looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
The dilapidated overbridge 7 looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
 Another view of bridge 7. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
Another view of bridge 7. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
 Bridge 7 looking north. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
Bridge 7 looking north. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697159
The cutting seen from the southern end. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697157
The cutting seen from the southern end. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697157
 The trackbed now passes onto another embankment. View looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697157
The trackbed now passes onto another embankment. View looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP697157
 Felled telegraph pole on the embankment. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696156
Felled telegraph pole on the embankment. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696156
 Looking north towards the overbridge (7) from the embankment. Note the one surviving telegraph pole. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696156
Looking north towards the overbridge (7) from the embankment. Note the one surviving telegraph pole. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696156
The gap where bridge 8 over the Brill Tramway once stood. Looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696154 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1360 in the Railway Archive).
The gap where bridge 8 over the Brill Tramway once stood. Looking south. 16th March 2006. OS: SP696154 (For a picture of this bridge when new see image L1360 in the Railway Archive).
 Wotton. The GCR station building seen from the road leading to the Brill Tramway station. 27th May 1996. OS: SP695154
Wotton. The GCR station building seen from the road leading to the Brill Tramway station. 27th May 1996. OS: SP695154
 Wotton. The main building survives today as a private house. 16th March 2004. OS: SP696154
Wotton. The main building survives today as a private house. 16th March 2004. OS: SP696154
 The Station Master's house also survives at Wotton. 16th March 2006. OS: SP695152
The Station Master's house also survives at Wotton. 16th March 2006. OS: SP695152
Wotton. The weighbridge building still survives at the old goods yard entrance. 15th March 2006. OS: SP695152
Wotton. The weighbridge building still survives at the old goods yard entrance. 15th March 2006. OS: SP695152
 The widened formation at the south end of Wotton station site. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP694150
The widened formation at the south end of Wotton station site. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP694150
 The line in a shallow cutting immediately south of Wotton. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP694150
The line in a shallow cutting immediately south of Wotton. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP694150
 Gate and fence posts on an occupation crossing south of Wotton. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP693148
Gate and fence posts on an occupation crossing south of Wotton. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP693148
Looking towards Wotton from the occupation crossing. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP693148
Looking towards Wotton from the occupation crossing. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP693148
 Between the shallow cuttings at Ashendon and the approach to Wotton there is a short section of line on a low embankment. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691142
Between the shallow cuttings at Ashendon and the approach to Wotton there is a short section of line on a low embankment. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691142
 Signal wire pulley near Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691141
Signal wire pulley near Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691141
 Looking north in the cutting just north of bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691141
Looking north in the cutting just north of bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP691141
The trackbed looking north from bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
The trackbed looking north from bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
 Bridge 10, which carries a footpath and has lost one parapet. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
Bridge 10, which carries a footpath and has lost one parapet. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
 Looking over the top of bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
Looking over the top of bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
 Looking north towards bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
Looking north towards bridge 10. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
The GCR formation looking towards Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
The GCR formation looking towards Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692138
 Lineside drain near Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692137
Lineside drain near Ashendon Junction. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692137
 Ashendon Junction. Where the fences meet at the apex of the junction a GCR concrete post stands next to a GWR bridge rail post. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692136
Ashendon Junction. Where the fences meet at the apex of the junction a GCR concrete post stands next to a GWR bridge rail post. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692136
 Ashendon Junction. The end of the disused GCR formation with the up GW line crossing in the background. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692136
Ashendon Junction. The end of the disused GCR formation with the up GW line crossing in the background. 22nd March 2006. OS: SP692136
Ashendon Junction. The GWR up line originally flew over the GCR tracks. When the line was redoubled the track was reinstated over the flyover, but at a much lower level so the up line crosses the GCR trackbed almost on the flat. This view, taken from the rear of a passing train is looking north. The GCR trackbed crosses approximately in the centre of the picture. 1999. OS: SP692136
Ashendon Junction. The GWR up line originally flew over the GCR tracks. When the line was redoubled the track was reinstated over the flyover, but at a much lower level so the up line crosses the GCR trackbed almost on the flat. This view, taken from the rear of a passing train is looking north. The GCR trackbed crosses approximately in the centre of the picture. 1999. OS: SP692136
 Plan of the route.
Plan of the route.
 
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