Amesbury and Military Camp Light Railway
Encyclopedia
The Amesbury and Military Camp Light Railway (also known as the Bulford Camp Branch) was constructed under a light railway order
dated 24 Sept 1898. It was opened for military traffic from Amesbury
to the (East facing) Newton Tony Junction (on the London and South Western Railway
main line from Andover
to Salisbury
) on the 1st Oct 1901. A West facing junction (Amesbury junction) opened on 2 June 1902.
At Amesbury junction the branch burrowed under the main line.
on the 1st of June 1906 and, at some stage, to Bulford Camp
.
and these consisted of lines from Amesbury to Larkhill Military Camp, and then from the latter to Rollestone Camp where there was also a balloon
school. A further extension was added from Rollestone to Fargo (where there was a hospital
), this line then dividing with one branch going to Druid's Lodge and one to Stonehenge
. Aircraft hangars existed at both these locations. These extensions were operated by the R.O.D (Railway Operating Division
) of the Royal Engineers
and they remained in use until about 1923.
which owns much of the land .
Light Railways Act 1896
The Light Railways Act 1896 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland . Before the Act each new railway line built in the country required a specific Act of Parliament to be obtained by the company that wished to construct it, which greatly added to the cost...
dated 24 Sept 1898. It was opened for military traffic from Amesbury
Amesbury
Amesbury is a town and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It is most famous for the prehistoric monument of Stonehenge which is in its parish, and for the discovery of the Amesbury Archer—dubbed the King of Stonehenge in the press—in 2002...
to the (East facing) Newton Tony Junction (on the London and South Western Railway
London and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
main line from Andover
Andover, Hampshire
Andover is a town in the English county of Hampshire. The town is on the River Anton some 18.5 miles west of the town of Basingstoke, 18.5 miles north-west of the city of Winchester and 25 miles north of the city of Southampton...
to Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
) on the 1st Oct 1901. A West facing junction (Amesbury junction) opened on 2 June 1902.
At Amesbury junction the branch burrowed under the main line.
Operation
Passenger traffic commenced on the 2nd Jun 1902 and this was worked by the L&SWR. Traffic consisted of 6 passenger trains and 1 goods train per day. The line was extended to BulfordBulford
Bulford is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England, close to Salisbury Plain. According to the 2001 census the parish had a population of 4,698.The name is derived from the Old English bulut ieg ford meaning 'ragged robin island ford'....
on the 1st of June 1906 and, at some stage, to Bulford Camp
Bulford Camp
Bulford Camp is a military camp on the Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England.The modern day Bulford Camp is two camps separated by Marlborough Road. The camp on the eastern side contains Picton Barracks housing the headquarters of 3rd Division and Kiwi Barracks houses the 4th Battalion The Rifles...
.
World War I extensions
Further extensions were constructed during the World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and these consisted of lines from Amesbury to Larkhill Military Camp, and then from the latter to Rollestone Camp where there was also a balloon
Balloon (aircraft)
A balloon is a type of aircraft that remains aloft due to its buoyancy. A balloon travels by moving with the wind. It is distinct from an airship, which is a buoyant aircraft that can be propelled through the air in a controlled manner....
school. A further extension was added from Rollestone to Fargo (where there was a hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
), this line then dividing with one branch going to Druid's Lodge and one to Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
. Aircraft hangars existed at both these locations. These extensions were operated by the R.O.D (Railway Operating Division
Railway Operating Division
The Railway Operating Division was a division of the Royal Engineers formed in 1915 to operate railways in the many theatres of the First World War...
) of the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
and they remained in use until about 1923.
Closure
The stations closed in 1952 along with Amesbury junction. The branch as a whole (including Newton Tony junction) ceased goods traffic in 1963. Part of the line is due to be opened as a nature walk sponsored by the Royal Society for the Protection of BirdsRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
which owns much of the land .