About Malmesbury Station: In 1864 the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire Railway Company was authorised to construct a line from Stroud to Christian Malford Halt through Tetbury and Malmesbury. Work started on 1 June 1885, but due to disagreements between the two major shareholders, the Midland Railway and the Great Western, work was stalled, and in 1871 the company was wound up.
In 1872 Government approved a cut down plan to build a line from Dauntsey to Malmesbury, opening on 18 December 1877. Unusually, the station was accessed by a short tunnel, and beyond the town, perhaps with the original scheme development to Stroud in mind. After the Severn Tunnel was constructed to directly connect to South Wales, its line crossed the Malmesbury branch. In 1933, connection was made with this line, and the additional line truncated.
On 10 September 1951 the line closed to passenger traffic, and to goods 10 years later on 11 November 1962, after which the tracks were lifted. The station site today is an industrial estate development.
Today: From this location, across the river from the previous station, you get to see the wide angle of just how big the junction yard used to be, and can still see a couple of the previous buildings, one an Engine Shed still in existance today.
About SideTracked: We have Motorway Mayhem. But what about public transport users? SideTracked caches are intended to provide quick Cache-and-Dashes at Train Stations. SideTracked started at GC15082 Evesham on 10th August 2007 It is hoped this idea will spread across the country in the same way as the MMs….but if hiding one PLEASE BE SENSIBLE and remember that in this day and age, public transport is under greater scrutiny than ever before, so, although these caches should be quick and easy grabs, PLEASE don’t place a Cache where it could cause alarm!!!
Please consult http://sidetrackedseries.co.uk/ for further information.