The Lambourn Valley Railway

The spur line from Welford was constructed to serve an airforce base that lies some three miles from Welford Park Station. The airfield itself dates from World War II and during its occupation by the USAF, it had two purposes. Firstly, as a conventional bomber squadron station and secondly, as a base for secret non-powered glider experiments.

In 1945 custody of the base was returned to RAF and its future roll was to be that of a storage depot. The Ministry of Defence decided the construction of a rail link for the movement of arms and munitions etc. was now a priority. Naturally, most of the plans and discussions that took place regarding the propoposed new railway line, were carried out in secret. However, we do know that the rail link was originally intended to connect with the branch line at Boxford. Ultimately, Welford Park was chosen and towards the end of July 1952 a start was made on the two and a quarter mile stretch of new track. The work involved the laying of four interchange sidings at welford Park and a new single line which ran alongside the branch for a short distance before heading North-East into the camp.

At the early stages of construction.
This field of corn becomes the bulldozer's first victim

Due to continual slippage during construction
the 30ft cutting required gentle slopes to its sides

The first cutting was followed by an embankment and then by a second, much deeper cutting.

A high percentage of the construction materials were brought in by rail, as was the contractors locomotive. The loco was transported on a crocodile type well wagon. The new track also arrived this way. Why the engine needed such treatment is a mystery to me....... I assume there must have been a valid reason as it would have seemed more appropriate, and easier, to have brought it in under its own steam. The most likely reason I suppose, would be the BR regime's inbuilt resistance to non British Rail locos using British Rail owned tracks.

Looking South towards Newbury, and a view of the completed interchange sidings and runaround at Welford Park Station. Each siding was capable of holding forty wagons, even though British Railways had placed a maximum restriction of just fifteen wagons per train on the Lambourn Branch itself. They were also unwilling to allow longer double headed trains to use the line.

The new spur now begining to take shape as it enters the newly formed cutting.
The Lambourn Branch line itself can be seen to the right of the picture.

The deep cutting completed and ready for taffic

The embankment of the new Military line also completed.

Traffic movement to and from the base was a daylight operation only, with irregular journey times and long periods of inactivity. Munitions were, on occasions, held in Newbury goods yard for up to two days, before eventual delivery into USAF care.British Rail staff were responsible for the transference of cargoes at Welford Park, and the sheeting of wagons was carried out in the exchange sidings.

On arrival at the Eastern perimeter of the camp, an assortment of sidings were constructed. These were linked to various tracks that connected directly to other areas within the air base itself. The sidings were partly built on an embankment and required the presence of a catch point to protect Welford Park against runaways. The single track engine shed pictured above right, was situated in the South-Eastern corner of the camp and was used for servicing and minor repairs, but any major work including overhauls, would require the removal of the locomotive to a suitable M.O.D establishment.

The intricate network of sidings meandered between a wide and varied assortment of buildings and storage areas. However, the track within the base was of light construction and was not popular with British Rail. The maintenance, operation and quality of construction was to become a bone of contention between the USAF and British Rail during the ensuing years.

Everytime they were requested to hire a loco to the USAF, British Rail would insist on a permanent way inspection. This continued ill feeling between the two authorities was most likely a contributing factor in the eventual closure of the line.

www.secret-bases.co.uk
by Alan Turnbull
An entertaining guide to using Internet-based research tools - Ordnance Survey's maps, Getmapping's aerial photos and Google Earth - to reveal the UK's "hidden" MoD facilities and military sites.

A Thoroughly fascinating and comprehensive website - a real must see!

The branch line itself required certain modifications to accomodate the new line.
One of them being the construction of a second span alongside an existing iron bridge.

The original overbridge at Welford

An Inspection of the partly constructed
concrete bridge

The parapets of both old and new bridges
with the Branch Line bearing left in the distance.

On a personal note, can anyone throw any light on the subject as to why the new bridge had a longer span than the original one.
The road it crosses was, and still is, a very minor one. Even in the 1950s it was never likely to fall victim to any road widening schemes.

This theory Received from Reg Tarbox Jan 2003

Ken.....
Just been on the Welford line trying to rekindle some old memories. I saw that you were asking why the new bridge had a longer span.
Could it have been due to the weight of the munitions carried to and from the base. During a Middle East crisis I was there and saw the goods wagons loaded with HE bombs. There is no doubt in my mind that they weighed far more than a carriage full of passengers. Just a thought . The railway also ran through the revetments where the munitions were stored but I doubt if pictures of that will ever come to light as it was a restricted area.

Cheers Reg.