| Images taken on the former Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway.
This cross-country route was an amalgamation of several local lines that eventually connected the Midland Railway with the Great Western whilst adjoining both the London & North Western and Great Central Railways as it snaked its way across rural Northamptonshire and into Warwickshire. Towcester was the largest intermediate station and the local Grafton Hunt steeplchases provided the line with its busiest trains when racing was in progress. Closure of intermediate stations commenced in the 1950's and by the mid 60's all but a 'twig' to the MoD base at Kineton had been swept away. Much of the route is still discernible, although some sections have reverted to farmland. Even today, the small villages and towns that the trackbed weaves through, are in some of the remotest and unspoiled countryside you will find in Northamptonshire. |
010. Nature reclaims the trackbed in a shallow cutting south of Showsley Grounds. This view is looking towards Towcester. Buy Print |
011. A beautiful spring scene looking towards Towcester near Showsley Grounds. Buy Print |
012. A remote bridleway passes beneath the trackbed near Showsley Grounds Buy Print |
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013. Looking east towards Roade north of Hulcote Village. Buy Print |
014. A PW workers hut survives near Hulcote. The A43 has swallowed up the former route out of Towcester less than half a mile from this point. Buy Print |
015. A large Tesco store occupies the former Towcester station site. In the foreground out of site the A5 bisects the trackbed. Buy Print |
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016. Looking westwards away from Towcester towards Greens Norton Jct. The A43 makes another unwelcome incursion a few hundred yards beyond our vantage point. Buy Print |
019. In 1997 a visit was made to Helmdon primarily to explore the old GC. This shot was taken off the GC viaduct looking east towards the village. The SMJ line can clearly be seen below. Buy Print |
020. On the same day in 1997 from the west facing side of the viaduct... the trackbed stretches away to Cockley Brake Jn and Banbury... if only the rails still did. Buy Print |
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021. A later view taken in 2005 from the GC viaduct of the Helmdon SMJ trackbed looking east towards the old station that served the village. Copyright Mike Vincent. Buy Print |
