The Midland & South Western Junction Railway Through Time

The M&SWJR was formed in 1884 by amalgamation of the Swindon, Marlborough & Andover and the Swindon & Cheltenham Extension railways. It provided a north-south link between the Midland and the London & South Western railways through the heartland of the Great Western Railway. It also served several military establishments. It joined the Banbury & Cheltenham Direct Railway at Andoversford with running rights to Cheltenham; its junction with the L&SWR was at Andover. Passing west of the GWR station at Swindon it was sometimes referred to as 'Swindon's Other Railway'. The M&SWJR was absorbed by the GWR in 1923. The line closed to passengers in 1961 and goods by 1970. The Swindon & Cricklade heritage railway is based at Blunsdon. The trackbed from Chiseldon to Marlborough is now a cycleway.