There used to be a railway that ran from Didcot to Newbury then onto Southampton. It went over the Berkshire downs and on to Newbury till the 1960's when Dr Beaching had it and many others closed down. Mush of it can still be traced which is what I did a number of years ago. Part of it went through a village called Hampstead Norreys where there was a station and a bridge it went under. I first stopped off there to see what remained in 2011. This post is a little longer than I normally make it.
This was where Hampstead Norreys station used to be
And this was where the railway went from the bridge on the right towards Hermitage
Last year West Berkshire council made the old line into a cycleway where people could ride or walk between the two villages
It is certainly a far cry from the saplings that used to bar the way
This is the view towards the bridge which is downhill. I suspect the cutting was partly filled
Above looking through the station to the road bridge, Hermitage is in that direction
Further after coming from Hampstead Norreys you go through another cutting the under a bridge
The last time I was here it was impassable with trees growing in the cutting
Now it is quite clear and easy to go along.
A little further brings you to the end near Hermitage
Sadly, that Beaching report did away with so many rail lines. I have seen programs that many have been converted to walking paths and, like stated in this post, the former stations are gone.
ReplyDeleteOne on this part of the line remains at Upton though it is a private house now, ironic that the dumb council at the time called the close Beaching Close
DeleteI love it when they convert old railways to trails. There are lots of abandoned rail lines near where I live. I guess that trucks replaced a lot of the trains for smaller loads.
ReplyDeleteMore is the shame, if they had kept this line open it would take some of the strain off the road that replaced it
DeleteI love those trails; perfect for walking. Thanks for sharing the history of the place.
ReplyDeleteHazel
https://hazelceej.com/agony-before-the-calm/
Pity there are too few though but this one has a couple along it
DeleteWell Joe Biden campaign involved using a train so there’s a lot to be said for them!
ReplyDeleteLovely place to walk, now that the trail is available. Love the old bridges.
ReplyDeleteIt is a good use of these disused train lines but I find them too straight for walking trails.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures! We have a Rails to Trails program here.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/10/beauty-and-beach.html
ReplyDeleteHumans do not always change things for the good. It is a beautiful area, and to hike it would probably be a wonderful experience.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see that the railroad will not be totally forgotten by the conversion. It seems to be something done in many parts of the world. Thanks for your awesome photos.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week !!