Pyrton: Former Watlington railway station (1)

Image: © Nigel Cox Taken: 8 Dec 2013

Just visible through the trees are the surviving chimney stacks of the otherwise derelict station building. The open area in front was the former approach to the station and its goods yard. This was the terminus of the single track line from Princes Risborough, opened in 1872 and closed here at least by British Railways in 1957. The section from Chinnor northwards to Princes Risborough remained open for the cement works traffic originally and remains open as a heritage railway today. It was originally intended to extend the line from Watlington to Wallingford to create a link between Cholsey on the Great Western Main Line and Princes Risborough, but the connection was never made because of financial constraints. The station is some way out of Watlington and actually in the neighbouring parish of Pyrton. If the connection to Wallingford had been made the station here would undoubtedly have been moved southwards to be nearer Watlington. Some idea of the lack of traffic on the line can be judged by the fact that in its 85 years of existence few if any houses were built near the station, and it remained as isolated when it closed as it was when it was opened. Apart from the overgrown buildings the only other reminder of its existence is the Station Road name of the lane leading to it.

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