WOODFORD HALSE RAILWAY WALK
(27th September 2018)

(Update 4th October 2018)

WOODFORD SOUTH JUNCTION TO CULWORTH JUNCTION

52 years to the month since the closure of the Great Central Railway London Extension from Annersley Junction to the north
of Nottingham to London Marylebone station. The line closed on the 26th Sept. 1966.

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South junction (Footbridge) to Culworth Junction Site (Google Earth).

My third visit to the area and on a very beautiful and warm day. This time walking the track bed from Woodford South Junction to the site of
Culworth Juncion where the Banbury branch turned off the Marylebone mainline. This is the section of the GWR & GCR Joined line that I
remember from  firing trains too and from Woodford Halse. Starting off from where I turned back on my last visit by the over bridge by South
Junction. From the over bridge you have to walk down  the path into the north side of the railway cutting where you can get onto the track bed
via a field, where you have to get through the fence. it is fairly straight forward.

I was puzzled when I found that I was not at the South Junction site but a little to the south. I learned that the junction is within the unacessable
length between the two over bridges and the farm access over bridge, therefore you don't see the actual south junction site or the splitting of the  curve
to West Junction and where the S&MJR crossed the GCR mainline, which is a shame as I was looking forward to seeing those again. So here, we start
from just yards from South junction towards Culworth Junction (site).

 
The farm access bridge. Take the path to the east side of the GCR track bed.

View southwards from the Footbridge. Note the old farm cart up ahead on the track bed. You would be looking
down on the crossovers at the London end of South Junction.

February 2023. As a protest I have re-uploaded the deleted photos. If the landowner can show me proof that I have no right to share my 'own'
photographs and also that he has contacted every use of photographs or videos from this site on the internet media such as Youtube, Facebook,
Twitter etc. I will agree to re-remove my photos.

This is where a crossover between the two running lines was. There is the remains of a telegraph pole just
before you drop down the shallow cutting onto the track bed. The Down Home signal was by the opposite bank.

South Juncton Layout (NLS Maps). The junction and signalbox site is inacessable due to over growth and flooding. I took the
footpath and around the field and onto the track bed at the south side of the foot bridge. Update: As mentioned elsewhere I
learned that the whole area from the footbridge to the top of the map is now totally lost to us. There is no way of getting onto
any of it. It is blocked off by fencing all around and is just too dense with trees and undergrowth and for some way is under
water, making a dangerous place to go. To the south side of the footbridge is all that remains of South junction and the two
cuttings.

Update: 4th Oct. 2018.

I returned to this site in the hope of possibly seeing more of the actual junction area. In the map above, from the bottom of the
east side of the footbridge I crossed the field as you see it marked out at the top right. First to the far left hand corner and came
to a stop as the field is fenced off right across the field to the S&MJ track bed, where again, both the field and the meeting with
the track bed are well fenced off. At the far right I hoped to have a look over the embankment down upon the Signalbox area
and at the far righthand side, get up to where the S&MJR crossed the mainline. But it just isn't possible.

  
The first view of the Footbridge just before the fence onto the track bed shows just how dense the area between
the  bridge and Woodford Halse station has become.

  
By the south side of the farm access bridge, where it is fenced off from the very wet and heavily over grown
cuttings of the S&MJ curve and the mainline towards Woodford station. The west curve went off to the left
while the mainline carried straight ahead just beyond the footbridge. Taken, standing on what was a cross over
at the south end of the junction.

The flooding withing the gap between the two lines meeting at South Junction stops just below the footbridge
but you can see how bad it gets and not a safe place to try and enter. (4th Oct. 2018).

A 55mm view from the same spot as above. Looking through the footbridge, northwards. It is very sad that you
should be looking at the wide vista between the cuttings where the cutting on the left curves off to West Junction
while the main line runs through the main line cutting towards Woodford Halse station to the right.  Note the
contrast with John Evens 1960's photo below. Taken a matter of yards ahead of my photo above. (4t Oct. 2018).

What you should be seeing from the north side of the Footbridge above. This area is now completely
over grown and virtually impossible to get on to today. The Footbridge is behind the camera and
probably the way the photographer got to this spot. There could possibly still be remains of the
Ganger's hut to be seen. On the far right you see the fencing (by the three telegrah poles) where I
got stopped in the field.  On the far left is the top of the embankment I got to but was stopped by
the fencing and it was too heavly overgrown to see into the cutting below.

This is a reverse view from above. Again, captured perefectly by John Evans by the Ex S&MJR
under bridge. Of course, it is an over bridge to the GCR. Looking towards South Junction with the
Footbridge in the background. You can just visualise the curve going off to the right towards West
Junction. Still hard to believe that this great space is totally swamped under massive tree growth
today.

Update 4th October 2018

I returned to the site in the hope of being able to find a way of seeing or getting onto the area between the Footbridge and towards
the Ex S&MJR bridge site. Sadly the whole area is completely taken over by trees and undergrowth and totally fenced off at every
possible corner where you think it may be possible. Whether there is anything remaining of South Junction, the signal box and other
railway artifact we probably will not find out.

From West junction to South junction I managed to get up onto the top of the embankments along the cutting but it is completely
fenced off the whole way. From the Footpath over bridge at South Junction I managed to get across the first field towards the
embankment where you could look down on the Signalbox site and also to the S&MJR track bed just before it crossed the main
line but in all cases the way is heavily fenced off within the perameter of the site.  Likewise, the S&MJR track bed running
southwards towards Moreton Pinkney. The track bed has been completly taken over by nature and really doesn't exist as a track
bed any more, with only the dense line of trees showing where it ran into the distance. It is hard to believe that the fantasic wide
panorama that was beween the West curve and up to Woodford station has
been so completely decimated and no doubt, lost forever. I really can't see the railway ever return again. If Woodford was to get
a railway back it could only be too and from Banbury and that is also very doubtful. Whoever wanted this main line to close has
done a thorough  job of it's destruction, making sure it can't. Well, not without an expense tab that would surely stop it ever
happening. I would loveto be proved wrong.

The east side of the bridge has suffered a serious crack in the
stone work. It looks bad and perhaps a more in-depth check-
over should be carried out, if not already known!
(4th Ot. 2018).

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Below, my walk continues southwards from the south side of the Footbridge towards Culworth Junction..

Between this footbridge and the next one southwards is probably the only section left with so much remains of so much
railway artifact that stood here.

Remains of telephone box post and other associated equipment close
by where the Down distant signal for Woodford stood.

Update 4th October 2018

I had a longer look around this site hoping to find some more raliway articact. I was surprised to see just how much there was.
Here are a few photos from that look around.

   
Southwards on the first section to where the next under bridge is demolished. An old farm cart its rusting away.
Looking southwards towards Culworth Jctn.

  
Left: Southwards towards the next over bridge. It was a nice surprise to find the remains of the Ex Up split-distant signal post for Culworth
junction still standing. Right:  These feeds suggest that this way may not always be passable if there are Cattle browsing. Thankfully there
were none on this ocassion.

Approximately the same spot as below but more central. The signal post is hidden behind the trees up ahead but
you see the overbridge. You can see that the fencing on the right is the same, albeit a lot more weathered. The
line of trees running off to the right also.

45215 approaching Woodford South Junction. The Up Culworth split distant signals are seen byond the rear of the train with the Down
distant signal (Colour Aspect) part way alongside the train. This is very much the area I am walking in this instance between the
Footbridge and Culworth Junction. I knew the down distant siganal had to be around this spot but was looking for the stump of a girder
post, while it had been a metal multi-aspect post. However there was no sign of it but the wooden remains of the telephone box next to
it remains albeit in a poor condition.. The concrete sand/ballast box to the left of the loco is probably still laying in pieces. The loco, is
actually standing on what was the south crossover of South Junction.

    
Left: The Up signal post looking southwards.                                                    Right: Looking northwards towards Woodford Halse.

An interesting tracery showing how the iron work was designed and fitted to the post. The signal wires are still
in place.

  
The cable is still around the top pully and running down to the
bottom pully.

Interesting that there is still a pully wheel with wire in place. This was a solid structure and would have stood
forever It is really sad that it was deliberately demolished.

The signal post stands alone waiting for trains that will never arrive. Looking northwards.

LAMMENT TO A SIGNAL POST 2023

Sadly this signal post is no more. It was demolished by the land owner in pure spite of railway enthuisasts going onto his land to see
and photograph this iconic railway relic that managed to survive 124 years after being built and 54 years after the railway was closed.
The strip of land has also been heavily fenced off with barbed wire fencing therefore completely closing the ex railway track bed to
the public. This is understandable in regards stopping tresspassing but was it neccessary to demolished the signalpost

Drone video of the signal gantry (2020)

Interesting video of the gantry by Skyline Photography by Neil. On YouTube

    
Remains of what would have been a lineside telephone to the signalman at South Junction Box..

  
The stub of another telegraph pole.

Something to do with the signalling!

     
Probably the remains of a Ganger's hut.

  
Southwards towards the site of Preston Road over bridge.

    
Preston Road over bridge. Again, remembering that this is private land. The way through the bridge is fenced off. However, it easy to
get over but you should consider that cattle may be browsing up ahead and not to enter if there are.

   18 
There is some serious brick damage at the bottom of both sides of the bridge.

An old bath is expected here and there, used as water troughs for the animals but parts of an
old car! How did that get there!

Looking southwards through the arch of the bridge.

Ditto.

  
Was this a railway water tank, or put there by the farmer!

Looking back at the over bridge.

  
An ex Farm crossing gate. On the Up side.

Looking back to the the Preston Road over bridge.

  
Approaching the Eydon Road over bridge which has been demolished.

  
North end of the demolished bridge over Eydon Road.  It is a steep drop down the side of the bridge onto the road.

  
Left: Getting onto the road through the fence.                                                           Right: The southern embuttment of the bridge.

The north embuttment of the bridge.

    
Another fence to get past. Right: The embankment back up onto the track bed to head south. There is an easier way from the east side of the
bridge. You aways find that out after you have done it the hard way!

back on the track bed. The gap over the road is just behind it. Looking northwards.

  
Now onto the second section from the demolished bridge up to Culworth Junction.

A singular railway fence post.

From the west side of the track bed you can see the Ex S&MJR track bed in the line of trees as it ran towards
Moreton Pinkney station and on to Towcester.

Culworth Junction Layout (NSLMaps)

By the remains of Culworth Signalbox. The burnt stumps are of the remains of the signlbox and shed.
.The Gangers hut up on the right is still there but hidden by over growth. The Down Starting signal 
used to stand close by on the right but it appears to have completely gone now.

  
The burned ot remains of the signal box store room.

 And the even sadder remains of Culworth Junction Signalbox. Both had been set alight
by vandals. The objects seen here are all remains of the signaling levers base.

The remains after the fire. The lever frame has fallen into the base. The signalbox had been totally
burned up The metal was obviously removed for it's scrap value. (John Cosford)

Nothing changed much from this Sept 1986 photo taken on the 30th anniversary of closure.
(Home processed transparency film).

  
Left: The concrete base made a pleasant seat where I enjoyed a drink and a sandwich in the pleasant sunlight and countryside.
Right: The stump of a telegraph pole that stood behind the signalbox.

 
View southwards to Junction site from the remains of the signal box.

Closer to the same spot as the photo below.

A really nice photo of the signal box and junction. From around the same spot as photo above. The routes were
closed when this was taken. This does raise memories for me of coming up from Banbury firing a coal train and
passing the signalbox as we turned onto the main line towards Woodford or waiting at the Home signal down on
the far right for a train to pass on the main line. And also of the ganger's hut that stood between the two lines.
N.B. The telegraph pole behind the Box, which the stump of remains today. Likewise the Home signal mentioned
remained standing for many years, albeit, leaning badly. It has now gone. (See photos below).

  
The Ganger's hut between the two lines still stands between the two lines. To Marylebone station on the left and to
Banbury North Junction to the right. This is now a working farm and Cows may be grazing at any time. You can
get through the gate on the far right but make sure that you close it when entering or leaving the site. I entered
thinking that there were no animals but when going beyond the junction site became aware that there were
Cattle grazing up ahead. They can walk freely all over this section of land and is why you should either not enter
the site while there are animals there or at least always close the gate.

  
The Banbury branch comes in from the right hand side of the hut.

     
The Ex Gangers hut is still in quite good condition. However as section of concrete edge around the roof has broken off.

  
Looking northwards.

As it was on the 30th anniversary of the closure in 1986. There was another wooden building at the west side
of the hut which has now gone. You can't get a photo of both lines on each side of the hut at this spot anymore
as the Banbury line has suffered some land slip and a pile of manure covers some of it. The concrete edge
around the roof is still completeat this time. (Home processed transparency film).

  
The Banbury branch as it met at the junction. .Not so easy to recognise any more.

   
The Down Home signal on the Banbury branch as it was in Sept. 1986, on the 30th anniversary of the closure. It was badly leaning to
then and must have become dangerous or had already toppled over. There is no sign of it today.

  
Two interesting photos taken from close to the same spot, approaching Culworth Junction from the south. Note the Ganger's hut in between the two lines.
Left: Final day in 1966 shows the signal box still in operation. Right: Taken after closure. Just a few yards ahead of the photo on the left.  The signalbox has
gone but the brick building on the north side of it remains, awaiting demolition. Up ahead a wagon stands on the Up Main and you can just make out a gang
working on the track in the background. (Authors Unknown).

And today, from close to the same spot as above right. Nothing left except for the 'Echoes of Woodford Halse'.

    
I had two spots to look for while at this site. One was to get up to the next under bridge southwards towards Marylebone and on the Banbury
branch where there was a clear view over to this bridge. However, you can't get onto the Banbury track bed as it is in use by the farmer and
you can only get up to the over bridge on the main line and not beyond as that is also in use by the farmer and there are Cattle grazing.

  
From the south side of the under bridge, looking northwards. The road below the bridge leads too and from a Water Works.

The west side of the bridge, looking northwards.

The track bed on the south side of the bridge is well groomed. You can see the cattle grazing up ahead.
Culworth station was the next stop southwards.

The under bridge as it was seen from the Banbury branch in 1986. The 30th anniversary since the closure. It
still looked as if an express train could pass at any moment.This was the view I hoped to photograph today but 
couldn't get on to the branch track bed due to farm work going on. (Home processed reversal film).

And so this was as far as I could go and it looks as if this is the permanant situation in and around Culworth Junction site from
now on. Indeed, nature is well on the way to obliterating much of the old Great Central. Soon much will only be remembered
from photographs such as taken when the railway was still in operation over half a century ago now..

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Drone video of Culworth Junction site

Interesting video of the gantry by Skyline Photography by Neil. On YouTube

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To: Charwelton Catesby Tunnel North & Viaduct Index

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Other railway walks:

The Dundee & Newtyle Rlwy Walks  Opened in 1831 the route had three incline planes. The first was from the terminal station on Ward Street,
up the Dundee Law, where there was also a tunnel. The second was the Balbeuchley incline at Rosemill and the third at Hatton that ran down to
Newtyle station. It was also the very first passenger train service in Scotland. Worked by Horse over the levels until the first steam engine was
purchased in 1833. Came under the Caladonian Railway with it's terminal moved to Dundee West station. Passengers service ended in 1952 and
the line totally closed in the mid 60's. The inclines were by-passed in the 1860's.

The Cromford & High Peak Incline railway in Derbyshire has been luckier in having much of it's buildings, including an Engine House preserved. This
is what could have happened with the D&N, indeed, should have happened with at least one of the D&N inclines. However, the C&HPR gives an excellent
comparison of what the D&N would have looked like, albeit the inclines were only single track.

Boddam To Ellon Branch (Walks)  Ex GNSR branch line

Dyce To Fraserburgh and Peterhead Walks. Ex GNSR

Bath To Wellow Rlwy Walks Ex Somerset & Dorset Rlwy.

Chippenham To Caln Walk.

Contact: reidcrcwdr@talktalk.net

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