Bockhampton Crossing was Sited
approximately one mile East of Lambourn and it was here that the
B4000 and the Lambourn line crossed each other. This was the only
crossing on the line that included wicket gates for the use of
pedestrians. There was also a crossing keepers hut at lineside.
The gates were normally kept locked accross the railway requiring
a junior member of staff to be sent from Lambourn on the station
bicycle in time for every train. He would also be required to
tend to the road and gate lamps where necessary. The brick built
hut was on the Lambourn side of the crossing and had telephone
connection to all the manned stations along the line. This connection
was powered by batteries housed in a cupboard at the rear of the
hut.
There were no crossing controlled
signals, instead, the standard fixed distants were provided. In
the 'down' direction this also served as the fixed distant for
Lambourn.
The fixed arm for the 'up' direction was in later years affixed
to the same post as the Lambourn advanced starting signal. This
being 715 yards from the crossing. pictured right -The driver of
Dean Goods number 2573, poses for the camera having just passed
the fixed distant signal
1956 and the afternoon goods train negotiates Bockhampton
Crossing before beginning it's final climb to the terminus
at Lambourn.
A Dean Goods approaches the
crossing with a Lambourn train in the summer of 1950. The
Sunday train crews were officially supposed to open and close
the gates themselves, but it became an accepted practice to wait
for a member of the traffic department to arrive.
One occasion after arriving early the crew were discovered in
the first compartment sound asleep.
The gates were shattered on at least two occassions - all three
sets along the line having been demolished by the buffers of the
same engine.
Opposing views of the crossing
- left approaching the crossing for Lambourn in 1959
and - right heading for Newbury, date unknown
A two coach train heading for
Newbury in September 1959. Engine crews were instructed to warn
of their impending arrival by sounding the whistle when nearing
the crossing from either direction. It was customary for Lambourn
to ring a bell in the hut to warn the crossing attendant that
the train had left Lambourn and was on its way.