2. Bourton and Ashbuy crossing-03.03.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 10. GWML-27.02 & 03.03.15 > 2. Bourton and Ashbuy crossing-03.03.15
A short time was taken at Bourton and at Ashbury crossing in west Oxfordshire on the return journey from Wiltshire to Northamptonshire.
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Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.

43158, GW 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C16), Steppingstone Lane, Bourton SU234875 A smashing picture of 43158 passing Bourton at the far westerly extremity of Oxfordshire leading the 1C16 13.30 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. I am standing on a farm occupation bridge at the end of the delightfully named Steppingstone Lane that was more of a muddy track than a lane. Indeed, I made the error of driving down to the spot rather than parking the car and walking. I ended up getting the car stuck in the mud up to the axles only just managing to get it out as I had some tools in the boot that enabled me to lay a temporary track of stone and gravel to get me going. The underneath, wheel arches and sides of the poor Saab were absolutely caked in mud! The bridge in the background of this image marks the site of Shrivenham station (closed 07.11.64) with the clear land either side of the up and down lines being where the station loop lines ran. Keywords: 43158 13.30 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C16 Steppingstone Lane, Bourton SU234875
43124, GW 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington (1L62), Steppingstone Lane, Bourton SU234875 The bridge on which I am standing is a farm occupation bridge that carries Steppingstone Lane near the west Oxfordshire village of Bourton. This is a delightful spot that I could have spent hours at that afforded unobscured views of the GWML in both directions. Unfortunately, this will soon be ruined forever as the electrification masts and wiring arrive. 43124 leads the 12.28 Swansea to Paddington past the spot with the low winter sun creating some long shadows. Keywords: 43124 12.28 Swansea-London Paddington 1L62 Steppingstone Lane, Bourton SU234875
43198, GW 14.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads (1C17), Ashbury crossing SU246878 HST power car 43198 was a late delivery being built in 1982 as part of a final and additional batch of sets to supplement the Eastern Region allocation. Initially, it was part of set 254036, the highest-numbered power car. Now earning its keep on the Western Region, it is seen passing Ashbury in West Oxfordshire under a lovely winter sky with the 14.00 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. Note the recently installed 'soft' fencing in the foreground, that compares very favourably with the more commonly installed 'hard' palisade type. Keywords: 43198 14.00 London Paddington-Bristol Temple Meads 1C17 Ashbury crossing SU246878
60039, 13.00 Theale-Robeston (6B33), Ashbury crossing SU246878 60039 plods along the down GWML with daily 13.00 Theale to Robeston empty tanks. It had been held in the Challow loops to allow the passage of faster express trains until control found a gap sufficiently large to allow it to continue westwards. The train would be held at Swindon again until it would be allowed to proceed for South Wales along the Badminton line from Wootton Bassett Junction where there is no access to any loops until Chipping Sodbury. Keywords: 60039 13.00 Theale-Robeston 6B33 Ashbury crossing SU246878
43193, GW 13.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington (1L65), Ashbury Crossing SU246878 In the dying afternoon sunshine, 43193 passes Ashbury Crossing near Shrivenham leading the 1L65 13.55 Cardiff Central to Paddington express. I have deliberately taken the picture slightly off-centre to include the unusual tree standing somewhat isolated to the right. It appears to be a Scott's pine tree that was usually associated with the locations of GWR stations. But, as there was never a station here with Shrivenham's station located just behind the road bridge in the distance I am not sure why it is here? Keywords: 43193 13.55 Cardiff Central-London Paddington 1L65 Ashbury Crossing SU246878

Images 1-5 of 5 displayed.