This page provides information and photographs relating to the closed railway line running between Southampton and Cheltenham. Specifically it deals with that part of the route running between Andoversford Junction and Andover Junction.

The map below shows the railway running due South East from Cheltenham. Southwards from Swindon the line ran parallel with the ancient Ermin Street Roman road from Cirencester to Winchester. Additionally the railway crossed the ancient Ridgeway path near Ogbourne and had to negotiate a path through the Marlborough Downs.

The area through which the railway ran was largely a rural landscape, with the main areas of population being Cirencester, Swindon, Marlbotough. Ludgershall and Andover.

The route first opened for passenger services between Swindon Old Town and Marlborough on the 27th July 1881. Then, after resolving the running arrangements at Savernake, the railway was opened as a through route from Swindon to Andover on 5th February 1883. The final extension from Swindon to Andoversford commenced passenger service operation from 1st August 1891. Thus, by this latter date, it was possible to travel the whole line by train between Andoversford and Andover Junction.

The route had useful connections with other railway lines including The Cheltenham to Banbury Line in the North, and The Waterloo to Salisbury line in the South.

There were several sections of steep gradients, the most significant being the 1 and 1/2 mile decscent of 1 in 75 from Swindon to Rushey Platt. Although only 1/4 mile in length the steepest gradient was the climb at 1 in 60 from Savernake towards Marlborough.

With its roots in the rural community the railway carrier significant quantities of Milk on a daily basis from the stations such as Cricklade, Blunsdon, Rushey Platt and Chiseldon. Additionally the port at Southampton provided a regular source of fruit and vegetables to be transported to the Midlands from the Channel Islands. The horse racing fraternity of the Malbrough Downs were also catered for, with the railway providing transportation services for horses around the country to numerous racing events. During WW2 the line provided a very useful route from Southampton to the Midlands, seeing a significant amount of military traffic during this period.

The only major branch line on the route between Andoversford and Andover junction was that to Tidworth. This branch served a large military establishment at Tidworth and opened for goods traffic on the 21st May 1902 with passenger services following on the 1st October 1902. Troops, coal, ordnance, military hardware and food provisions were the staple traffic over the branch. In order to accomodate this traffic the war office developed a significant internal rail system within the confines of the army camp. Closure of the branch to passengers came on the 19th September 1955, with war department operations lasting until the 31st July 1963.

An original flyer issued by the Southern Railway in 1930 advertises an excursion to Tidworth from Weymouth, to view a searchlight tattoo arranged by the military.

An extract from the British Railways timetable valid from 17th September 1956 to the 16th June 1957 is shown below, indicating the available train services. As can be seen at this time there were three through trains in each direction enabling travel from Cheltenham to Southampton

Closure of the line to passenger services came on on the 10th September 1961 with goods services being withdrawn in stages on the line during 1964. However a number of private sidings continued to be served by rail with those at Swindon closing in 1966 and those at Ludgershall remaining in use for military purposes.

The closure of the line was marked by a Stephenson Locomotive Society special train running from Andoversford to Andover on the 10th of September 1961, hauled by Manor class 4-6-0 locomotive number 7808 Cookham Manor. On the same day a further commemorative train was operated by The Railway Correspondence And Travel Society being hauled by 4300 class 2-6-0 locomotive number 5306.

A gallery of photograhs taken at the various locations along the line appears below and follows a journey from Andoversford to Andover Junction.