Part of the LM&SR

LM&SR stands for London, Midland and Scottish Railway, I came across the dismantled railway while looking for a route to walk while at the village. The footpath followed the old track and looked worth a visit. It turned out to be the Stratford on Avon & Midland Junction Line

After walking along the bridleway this first sign you get there was a railway there.

Looking from the  bridge this is the direction for Towcester.

Looking this was is towards the Junction with the main LM&SR line

Going down on the trackbed you can look back and see  the bridge which is in remarkable condition.

This is the old trackbed with the bridge at my back.

I followed the footpath beside the track and ever so often had a  look at the track

It was well used and in good condition

though as you can see 

by farm traffic

At one point  I came across this culvert

A little further along and this area containing rubble cought my eye

and after climbing through the shrubbery I found a platform

there had been a station here in the past called Salcey Forest railway station

This is a small cutting nearby

and this is as far as I could get with the line

Getting back on the road you come across the bridge still there that went over the line

though either side was well over grown

nigh on dam impassable

that is until  you get down on the bed an see this

the bridge is in good condition apart from the extra supports added for strength

the heavy lorries of today weakened it so pillars had to be added.

The original brickwork still looked good. That was it for this part of the track I found as I went off back to find my wife and have some lunch But it was not the end of the story for that day so read on if you dare.

 I went off to look for a triangulation pillar (failed) but noticed this building in the distance. It was the old Station for Piddington on the main line

The bridge would have been here but the deck had been removed

mind you they had left some massive bit of rubble around from the bridge

This is the trackbed towards the station

and in front here would have been where the bridge over the road started

These were some of the stones on the opposite side.

One of the capping stones

 

Piddington Station in the dusk. surprising what you can see and find when you out for a walk . Hope you enjoyed my trip