Lambourn Valley Railway

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The Lambourn Valley Railway was a minor railway running from the town of Newbury, Berkshire north-west to the village of Lambourn. It was opened in 1898. In 1904, the locomotives were sold and two steam railmotors were hired from the Great Western Railway. The GWR took over the line in 1905.

The line closed to passenger traffic in 1960, but a section between Newbury and Welford remained open for freight traffic to RAF Welford until the 1970s.

The line served intermediate stations and halts at West Fields Halt, Speen, Stockcross and Bagnor, Boxford, Welford Park, Great Shefford, East Garston, and Eastbury Halt. The line ran from a bay platform at Newbury with a connection into the main London-bound platform, and ran parallel to the double track main line west of the station for half a mile (800 m) before veering to the north. It was single-track throughout with passing loops at several of the intermediate stations.

The connection to RAF Welford was added in the 1950s. The line north of this point was lifted in 1962.

[edit] Rolling stock

Aelfred Chapman and Furneaux 0-6-0T, built 1898
Eahlswith Chapman and Furneaux 0-6-0T, built 1898
Eadweade Hunslet Engine Company 0-6-0T, built 1903

These three locomotives were sold to the Cambrian Railways in 1904 and re-acquired by the GWR when it took over the Cambrian in 1922. They became GWR nos. 820, 821 and 819.

The GWR used, at various times, steam railmotors, diesel railcars and an ex-M&SWJR 2-4-0.