IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Crofton Road, MARLBOROUGH, SN8 3LX

Despite its name, New Bridge was anything but new in 1976 and indeed was in such a derelict condition that it had been closed for safety. The bridge, which has not been reopened, never carried anything more than a footpath. The bridge marked as 'New Bridge' on the OS map is actually Heathy Close Bridge, but the bridge in the photograph is New Bridge and is in 2663.

Over the Kennet & Avon Canal; the bridge is disused and closed to traffic.

This dilapidated and virtually useless bridge is said by some to be called 'New Bridge'. The Ordnance Survey don't agree saying that this one is New Bridge http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1595422 It definitely has a small plaque with the number '99' affixed to it so that is what I shall call it. Bridge 99 is shown at difference places depending on which map one looks at. The OS 1:25K tallies with my GPS placing the bridge firmly in SU2663.

These concrete cylinders are quite common along the canal. They were put there in the dark days of 1939 or 1940 when there was a real threat that Nazi forces would invade this country. In the event Hitler, whose biggest military failing was not to learn from history, decided against invading us and invaded Russia instead.

Travelling back to the Somerset quarries, this train is empty in contrast to this one viewed a little earlier Image Yet again the train is being hauled by a Class 59 diesel locomotive operated by the German railway company Deutsche Bahn. The locomotive is marked DB Schenker, the logistics arm of the company. Prior to 2009 the loco would have been in English, Welsh and Scottish (EWS) livery. However, EWS were taken over by DB in 2007 and the name EWS dropped in favour of the current branding.

These trains are a regular feature on this line as they haul limestone from quarries in Somerset to the roadstone plants in places like Hayes. This one was fully laden and wasn't travelling very fast. I've taken several photos of these trains of which this is my favourite http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/406394 In the background is the Crofton pumping station chimney http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/406464 The locomotive is a Class 59 diesel built in North America by a General Motors division, Electro-Motive Diesel (sold by GM in 2005). As well as being powerful they are very reliable, which is largely why the roadstone companies purchased them in preference to the then British Rail's locomotives.

The line carries rail traffic between London Paddington, Wiltshire, Somerset and Devon. In the distance is the chimney for the Crofton pumping station Image

On the Kennet & Avon Canal. A lot of shrubbery has been cleared since the previous pictures on the site http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=27953569 . Making the WWII tank traps more visible.