BANBURY TO CHELTENHAM (GWR)
26th March 2006

The Banbury & Cheltenham Direct Railway was an amalgam of two branches that originated at Kingham (Chipping Norton Junction until 1909) on the Cotswold Line. They ran to Bourton on the Water (1862) and Chipping Norton (1855) respectively. The lines were both later extended to create a through route between Kings Sutton, south of Banbury and Cheltenham. Trains reversed at Kingham until 1906 when a loop bypassing the station was constructed.
Engineer's Line References: BNK (Kings Sutton - Chipping Norton), BKC (Chipping Norton - Kingham), BCL (Kingham - Cheltenham). Structure numbers on the line are a mixture of sequential numbers and mileage based references.

<-- Index | Showing 1-87 of 87 pictures | Index -->
Kings Sutton. The station looking north. 1999. OS: SP494360
Kings Sutton. The station looking north. 1999. OS: SP494360
 The bridge carrying the line over the Cherwell at Kings Sutton. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP494355
The bridge carrying the line over the Cherwell at Kings Sutton. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP494355
 Looking towards Kings Sutton from the site of bridge 23 at Bloxham. Footbridge 22 rather surprisingly survives despite the cutting beneath having been infilled. 31st October 2007. OS: SP427353
Looking towards Kings Sutton from the site of bridge 23 at Bloxham. Footbridge 22 rather surprisingly survives despite the cutting beneath having been infilled. 31st October 2007. OS: SP427353
 The site of bridge 23 at Bloxham. The bridge carried the main A361 road over the line. There is still a distinct hump in the road but the bridge has been removed and the void infilled. Bloxham station site lies under a housing estate, part of which can be seen in the background. 31st October 2007. OS: SP427353
The site of bridge 23 at Bloxham. The bridge carried the main A361 road over the line. There is still a distinct hump in the road but the bridge has been removed and the void infilled. Bloxham station site lies under a housing estate, part of which can be seen in the background. 31st October 2007. OS: SP427353
The trackbed looking towards bridge 24. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
The trackbed looking towards bridge 24. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
 Bridge 24 detail. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
Bridge 24 detail. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
 Bridge 25. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
Bridge 25. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott).
 The course of the line near Swerbrook Farm looking towards Banbury. 6th August 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP398341
The course of the line near Swerbrook Farm looking towards Banbury. 6th August 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP398341
The remains of the Banbury side abutment of bridge 29. It was demolished in 1967. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP385341
The remains of the Banbury side abutment of bridge 29. It was demolished in 1967. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP385341
 A faded structure plate on bridge 29. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP385341
A faded structure plate on bridge 29. 17th August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Greg Scott). OS: SP385341
 The trackbed in use as an access track near Hook Norton. 31st October 2007. OS: SP380340
The trackbed in use as an access track near Hook Norton. 31st October 2007. OS: SP380340
 The remains of bridge 32 near Hook Norton station. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
The remains of bridge 32 near Hook Norton station. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
Hook Norton. The former Station Hotel, now a private residence. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
Hook Norton. The former Station Hotel, now a private residence. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
 Hook Norton. The station entrance. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
Hook Norton. The station entrance. 31st October 2007. OS: SP363336
 Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. The steel spans were cut up shortly after closure. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360327
Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. The steel spans were cut up shortly after closure. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360327
 One of the piers of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360327
One of the piers of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360327
Looking along the top of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct from the southern (Cheltenham) end. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360326
Looking along the top of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct from the southern (Cheltenham) end. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360326
 Parapet at the southern end of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360326
Parapet at the southern end of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360326
 The southern approach embankment of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360325
The southern approach embankment of Hook Norton No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP360325
 Bridge 35 which is situated half way between Hook Norton Tunnel and the No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
Bridge 35 which is situated half way between Hook Norton Tunnel and the No. 2 viaduct. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
Looking towards Hook Norton Tunnel from beneath bridge 35. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
Looking towards Hook Norton Tunnel from beneath bridge 35. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
 Bridge 35 seen from the roadway. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
Bridge 35 seen from the roadway. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
 An engineer's cement test patch from 1975 on bridge 35. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
An engineer's cement test patch from 1975 on bridge 35. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359322
 Hook Norton Tunnel northern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359321
Hook Norton Tunnel northern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359321
The clay sides of both approach cuttings at Hook Norton Tunnel were always very prone to slipping. At this point, just a few yards from the tunnel, slippage has reduced the trackbed width to just a couple of feet. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
The clay sides of both approach cuttings at Hook Norton Tunnel were always very prone to slipping. At this point, just a few yards from the tunnel, slippage has reduced the trackbed width to just a couple of feet. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
 The northern portal of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
The northern portal of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
 The remains of a p-way hut next to the northern portal of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
The remains of a p-way hut next to the northern portal of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP359320
 The southern end of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
The southern end of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
The southern approach cutting of Hook Norton Tunnel showing how the cutting sides have slipped since closure. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
The southern approach cutting of Hook Norton Tunnel showing how the cutting sides have slipped since closure. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
 Retaining walls in the southern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
Retaining walls in the southern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358316
 Looking towards Hook Norton Tunnel from the southern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP357315
Looking towards Hook Norton Tunnel from the southern approach cutting. 31st October 2007. OS: SP357315
 The cutting south of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358314
The cutting south of Hook Norton Tunnel. 31st October 2007. OS: SP358314
The Banbury side abutment of bridge 37. 31st October 2007. OS: SP356313
The Banbury side abutment of bridge 37. 31st October 2007. OS: SP356313
 The abutments of bridge 39. 31st October 2007. OS: SP343308
The abutments of bridge 39. 31st October 2007. OS: SP343308
 Rollright Halt was located on this embankment next to bridge 9507H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
Rollright Halt was located on this embankment next to bridge 9507H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
 The Banbury side abutment of bridge 9507H has been removed. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
The Banbury side abutment of bridge 9507H has been removed. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
The site of bridge 9507H visible as a dip in the road. 3rd September 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP323301
The site of bridge 9507H visible as a dip in the road. 3rd September 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP323301
 The surviving Cheltenham side abutment of bridge 9507H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
The surviving Cheltenham side abutment of bridge 9507H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
 The trackbed adjacent to Halt Farm looking towards Cheltenham. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
The trackbed adjacent to Halt Farm looking towards Cheltenham. 31st October 2007. OS: SP323301
 The trackbed between bridges 9507H and 9541H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP320301
The trackbed between bridges 9507H and 9541H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP320301
A former occupation crossing. 31st October 2007. OS: SP319301
A former occupation crossing. 31st October 2007. OS: SP319301
 Gate post at the same crossing. 31st October 2007. OS: SP319301
Gate post at the same crossing. 31st October 2007. OS: SP319301
 The cutting approaching bridge 9541H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP317300
The cutting approaching bridge 9541H. 31st October 2007. OS: SP317300
 Looking towards bridge 9541H which has been underfilled. 31st October 2007. OS: SP316300
Looking towards bridge 9541H which has been underfilled. 31st October 2007. OS: SP316300
Looking towards Rollright Halt from bridge 9541H. The bridge carries the A3400 road. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
Looking towards Rollright Halt from bridge 9541H. The bridge carries the A3400 road. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
 Eastern parapet of bridge 9541H. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
Eastern parapet of bridge 9541H. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
 View west towards Chipping Norton from bridge 9541H. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
View west towards Chipping Norton from bridge 9541H. 13th August 2007. OS: SP316300
 One of the abutments of bridge 44. 9th September 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP307294
One of the abutments of bridge 44. 9th September 2006. (Picture courtesy of David Stowell). OS: SP307294
Chipping Norton. The station site seen from the A44 bridge. 16th August 2006. OS: SP307270
Chipping Norton. The station site seen from the A44 bridge. 16th August 2006. OS: SP307270
 Chipping Norton. The A44 bridge from road level. 16th August 2006. OS: SP307270
Chipping Norton. The A44 bridge from road level. 16th August 2006. OS: SP307270
 Chipping Norton. The waterlogged cutting on the far side of the A41 bridge. 29th March 2009. OS: SP307270
Chipping Norton. The waterlogged cutting on the far side of the A41 bridge. 29th March 2009. OS: SP307270
 The south portal of Chipping Norton Tunnel. 29th March 2009. OS: SP306271
The south portal of Chipping Norton Tunnel. 29th March 2009. OS: SP306271
Sarsden Halt. The site of the Halt looking in the Banbury direction. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
Sarsden Halt. The site of the Halt looking in the Banbury direction. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
 Sarsden Halt. The site of the level crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
Sarsden Halt. The site of the level crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
 Sarsden Halt. The course of the line looking towards Cheltenham. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
Sarsden Halt. The course of the line looking towards Cheltenham. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP276247
 The site of Churchill Crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP271244
The site of Churchill Crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP271244
Looking towards Cheltenham from Churchill Crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP271244
Looking towards Cheltenham from Churchill Crossing. 3rd January 2008. OS: SP271244
 The view towards Churchill Crossing from bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
The view towards Churchill Crossing from bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
 Engineer's Line Reference on bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
Engineer's Line Reference on bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
 The view towards Kingham from bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
The view towards Kingham from bridge BKC 54. 29th March 2009. OS: SP259231
Kingham. View from the platform ends looking towards the abutments of the bridge that carried the Banbury- Cheltenham line over the Oxford - Worcester line. 29th March 2009. OS: SP255230
Kingham. View from the platform ends looking towards the abutments of the bridge that carried the Banbury- Cheltenham line over the Oxford - Worcester line. 29th March 2009. OS: SP255230
 Kingham. View from the platform ends looking towards Worcester. The spur to Chipping Norton and Banbury diverged through the conifer plantation on the right. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256228
Kingham. View from the platform ends looking towards Worcester. The spur to Chipping Norton and Banbury diverged through the conifer plantation on the right. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256228
 Kingham. The station looking towards Worcester. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256227
Kingham. The station looking towards Worcester. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256227
 Kingham. Only two of the four platforms are still in use. The other two are overgrown. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256227
Kingham. Only two of the four platforms are still in use. The other two are overgrown. 29th March 2009. OS: SP256227
Bourton on the Water. The station building from the forecourt side. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. The station building from the forecourt side. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. The station site looking towards Banbury. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. The station site looking towards Banbury. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. The building from the platform side. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. The building from the platform side. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. Looking along the site of the Westbound platform. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Looking along the site of the Westbound platform. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Looking in the Cheltenham direction from beneath the awning. The house in the distance is built across the trackbed. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Looking in the Cheltenham direction from beneath the awning. The house in the distance is built across the trackbed. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. Chimney and insulator detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Chimney and insulator detail. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Door detail. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. Guttering detail. 25th March 2006.
Bourton on the Water. Guttering detail. 25th March 2006.
 Bourton on the Water. The ticket window in the booking hall. August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Julian Lane).
Bourton on the Water. The ticket window in the booking hall. August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Julian Lane).
 Bourton on the Water. Remains of the cattle dock. August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Julian Lane).
Bourton on the Water. Remains of the cattle dock. August 2007. (Picture courtesy of Julian Lane).
Bourton on the Water. The original station before it was rebuilt in the 1930s. (Picture courtesy of John Law).
Bourton on the Water. The original station before it was rebuilt in the 1930s. (Picture courtesy of John Law).
 Looking towards Notgrove from near the A436 bridge. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
Looking towards Notgrove from near the A436 bridge. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
 Bridge carrying the line over the A436 between Andoversford and Notgrove. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
Bridge carrying the line over the A436 between Andoversford and Notgrove. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
 The top of the same bridge looking towards Andoversford. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
The top of the same bridge looking towards Andoversford. 25th March 2006. OS: SP048202
Bridge over the line near Syreford, just east of Andoversford Junction. 26th April 2006.
Bridge over the line near Syreford, just east of Andoversford Junction. 26th April 2006.
The trackbed looking west from the same bridge. 26th April 2006.
The trackbed looking west from the same bridge. 26th April 2006.
 Road underbridge near Syreford. 26th April 2006.
Road underbridge near Syreford. 26th April 2006.
 The western portal of Sandywell Park Tunnel. 13th August 2007. OS: SP007203
The western portal of Sandywell Park Tunnel. 13th August 2007. OS: SP007203
Trackbed looking towards Cheltenham from Sandwell Park Tunnel. 13th August 2007. OS: SP007203
Trackbed looking towards Cheltenham from Sandwell Park Tunnel. 13th August 2007. OS: SP007203
 Charlton Kings station before closure. (Picture courtesy of the Tramway Resources site - please see links on front page).
Charlton Kings station before closure. (Picture courtesy of the Tramway Resources site - please see links on front page).
 Plan of the route.
Plan of the route.
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.
© 1998-2009 Roger Marks - All copyrights rest with the Author
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