Page 20 - Thrapston Life November 2023

usage to warrant a crane. The goods service lasted for two months after closure. During the last year of service, six trains each way stopped daily. The two pictures are dated circa 1905 and mid 1950’s. The unused ticket from Thorpe to Bridge Street cost 6d (21⁄2p). The station is now a private residence.
Twywell Station opened on 1st March 1866
The first two pictures were taken during the 1950’s, one taken from the road bridge looking towards Cranford, the second from the side of the line looking towards Thrapston. In both, the full-sized signal box is seen, installed in about 1906 to serve quarries owned by James Young. The third picture is of a steam-hauled Locomotive Club of Great Britain special in the
and closed to both passengers and goods on 30th July 1951. After closure, a few diesel-hauled trains operated from the loading dock transferring iron ore brought in by lorry up to the 1970’s.
The arrival of the railway caused a large increase in quarrying limestone and iron ore locally
1960’s touring several closed railway lines in the area where the track was still in place.
The luggage label was typical for parcel deliveries, each station having their own.
The station remains as a private residence.
I have put together a well-illustrated talk on the old stations of East Northants. Should any groups wish to book a session please contact me.
Quarries had been worked at
Woodford, albeit in a small way for
a number of years. The arrival of
the railway caused a large increase
in quarrying limestone and iron ore
locally, the network of narrow-gauge
lines/ tramways extending as far as Sudborough. There remain a few signs of this vast system, notably sunken fields where rock was removed and the old line passing through Colpman’s farm towards Lowick is now a footpath.
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Eric Franklin can be contacted for comments and suggestions for future articles at: ericfranklin2@hotmail.com