website or book for lost railways?

[RB Will]

Hi all.

I often find myself walking the dog down paths that are clearly old railway lines and it fascinates me to think where they used to go and what the area was like when they were there.

Does anyone know of any good websites or books that show where the routes used to go, including smaller branch lines. Preferably around Swindon, Wiltshire as these are the ones I walk on.

Thanks

[zasker]

You could try googling for "The Beeching Cuts" or something like that. That's what started the decline of local railways.

[dr_gn]

RB Will said:

Hi all.

I often find myself walking the dog down paths that are clearly old railway lines and it fascinates me to think where they used to go and what the area was like when they were there.

Does anyone know of any good websites or books that show where the routes used to go, including smaller branch lines. Preferably around Swindon, Wiltshire as these are the ones I walk on.

Thanks

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=lost+railways+of+britain

[deeen]

You can often find them on OS 1:50,000 maps.

[spitfire-ian]

Google maps is often a good place to start too.

[RB Will]

I know where they are obviously as I am walking on them. I am after something that can give me a bit of the history like what the line was for, some pictures of it in operation maybe etc.

Have goggled a bit but not found quite what I am after.

[spitfire-ian]

RB Will said:

I know where they are obviously as I am walking on them. I am after something that can give me a bit of the history like what the line was for, some pictures of it in operation maybe etc.

Have goggled a bit but not found quite what I am after.

This any good?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Railways-Wiltshire-Ju...

I just googled "Lost Railways Wiltshire" (your profile says you're in Wiltshire anyway)

[RB Will]

Looks like it could be worth a read, thanks.

Have found this site which seems quite good.
http://swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/

[Tango13]

I found this site a while back while investigating the lost railways in Welwyn Garden City.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

[nlldavies]

Tango13 said:

I found this site a while back while investigating the lost railways in Welwyn Garden City.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

I've spent hours on this and recommend it highly.

[RB Will]

Tango13 said:

I found this site a while back while investigating the lost railways in Welwyn Garden City.

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/

That is a brilliant site thanks

[blueedge]

RB Will said:

Looks like it could be worth a read, thanks.

Have found this site which seems quite good.
http://swindonsotherrailway.co.uk/

I used to live in Cricklade and would often go for a cycle along the old railway line up to Cirencester, it's great on a summers evening as there's a few pubs to stop at along the way in South Cerney! If you're in the area it may be worth visiting the Cricklade-Blunsdon Railway as they have a shop there and will doubtlessly have books and information on the old Midland & South Western Railway.

http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org/

[essayer]

http://ooc.openstreetmap.org has maps from the 50s which have a lot more railway lines. You can click between modern maps and old maps quite easily to compare current cyclepaths etc against what would have been railway lines in the past.

[RB Will]

I am in Swindon so Blunsdon is no problem to get to.
I was walking through Stanton Park yesterday and was wondering where the old line through there went. Must be a branch line for something. not sure if it would have gone to Highworth or the airfield where Honda is now.

[RB Will]

essayer said:

http://ooc.openstreetmap.org has maps from the 50s which have a lot more railway lines. You can click between modern maps and old maps quite easily to compare current cyclepaths etc against what would have been railway lines in the past.

Thanks for that it has the line I was just talking about on it which seems to run a wavy line to Highworth. Im quite surprised about the route it takes through Swindon though.

[0a]

Also consider whether you are walking on disused canals- they often follow a similar (but bendier!) route but were displaced by the railway network.

[RB Will]

Thats a thought too. Just using that open streetmap and google I have figured out the route that line used to take through Swindon and I have realised I cycle part of it to work everyday. I Have lived in this part of town since I was born and have never realised there was a line there.

[spitfire-ian]

0a said:

Also consider whether you are walking on disused canals- they often follow a similar (but bendier!) route but were displaced by the railway network.

With the Hereford and Gloucester Canal you may be doing both

[blueedge]

RB Will said:

I am in Swindon so Blunsdon is no problem to get to.
I was walking through Stanton Park yesterday and was wondering where the old line through there went. Must be a branch line for something. not sure if it would have gone to Highworth or the airfield where Honda is now.

Sounds like the Swindon and Highworth Light Railway.

[Simpo Two]

What about the Bradshaw Guides that Michael Portillo is always referring to?