Blenheim and Woodstock Branch Line

For defunct Vermont railroad of a similar name, see Woodstock Railway.

Blenheim and Woodstock Branch

Legend Cherwell Valley Line to Oxford Kidlington Cherwell Valley Line to Banbury Shipton-on-Cherwell Halt Blenheim and Woodstock|} The Blenheim and Woodstock Branch Line was a 4 miles (6.4 km) long railway branch line that ran from Kidlington railway station along the Cherwell Valley Line north to Shipton-on-Cherwell where the line branched off west past Shipton-on-Cherwell Halt towards Woodstock. History Constructed by the 7th Duke of Marlborough, the line opened in 1874 and was privately run until 1897 when it became part of the Great Western Railway. In 1929, a halt was added to the line at Shipton-on-Cherwell primarily to serve the Oxford and Shipton Cement Company limestone quarry and cement works. Train services The number of trains serving the station was cut in the late 1930s, and again in 1952 down to only six trains a day. These cuts in the frequency of trains along the Woodstock branch line produced two-hour waits at Kidlington for a connection. Closure British Railways closed the branch line in March 1954 with the last train adorned with a wreath. The track was lifted in 1958. References External links The Line on navigable 1947 O.S. map Photographs of the line and station sites today