NLR - Extension South

EXTENSION OF EXISTING RAILWAY TO PROVIDE A THROUGH LINK FROM BOUGHTON STATION TO MERRY TOM HALT (1 ¾ miles length overall, incorporating phase 1)

Phase 1 of the railway is already constructed and operational from (but not including) bridge 11 in the south, via Pitsford & Brampton station, to (but not including) bridge 14 in the north.

Some works have commenced on phase 2 - the lineside has been cleared south of bridge 11 and track laying is continuing towards Boughton Crossing where a run round loop and station will be built. Funds are required to complete those works and to commence and complete the remainder of phase 2.

South from bridge 11

Right: A view taken from bridge 11 looking south on 11th February 2007. The line now disappears around the corner behind the trees!

Looking south from riding school crossing

Phase 2 will provide an extension to both the immediate north and south of phase 1, with a station on the outskirts of Northampton at Boughton in the south, and a countryside station halt near Merry Tom Lane level crossing in the north. This will provide an initial link, using phase 1 at its core, to provide a service to carry people from Northampton into the immediate countryside.

On top of track bed clearance, fencing, track laying and associated signalling, the main obstacles and engineering features are the two bridges (11 and 14) that require refurbishment, the need for station platforms at Boughton and Merry Tom Halt, the need for a run round loop at Boughton, and the need for station facilities at Boughton.

Left: Looking south from the riding school crossing on 8th April 2007. Boughton Crossing and the A5199 can been seen in the distance.
Photo: Dan Adkins


A view looking north with the newly installed riding school crossing in the foreground on 11th February 2007. Photo: Ian Rivett		A view looking north on 8th April 2007 from the riding school crossing. One panel of track has been ballasted! Photo: Dan Adkins

Planning permission for Boughton Signal Box has been granted and building work has started. By late January 2008 the brick base was already at an advanced stage with the original cast window frames in situ. The signal box is being built to an LNWR design from the 1870's.
Right: Boughton Signal Box takes shape in this view looking south taken on 20th January 2008.


It's 1st February 2008 and the arches above the windows have been completed.		Three weeks later on 24th February 2008 and the brick work is virtually complete.

	Whilst work continues on the signal box base, the track laying gang are busy extending the line south towards Boughton Crossing. The earth works for Boughton Sidings can be seen in the background.
	Left: The track laying gang receive the day's instructions from "Kim" Photo: Ian Rivett


A view of Boughton Sidings earth works taken from Boughton Signal Box on 20th January 2008.		By 24th February, the first load of ballast has been unloaded and shovelled into place.


It's now April 19th 2008 and Boughton Signal Box is lowered into position on its brick base. Photo: Dean Upton		Later the same day, Boughton Signal Box comes to rest on its new foundations - a perfect fit! Photo: Dean Upton

To see the full story in pictures of how Boughton Signal Box was moved from Pitsford and Brampton station to its new location, click on the totem below:
Right: A view of Boughton Signal Box looking north on 7th May 2008, lifting girders removed and brickwork completed.


Above: Two views through the windows of Boughton Signal Box looking north (left) and south (right). Come back soon and watch these scenes change as work continues on track laying at Boughton Sidings and Boughton Station.

More photographs and news about the extension will appear here soon so be sure to visit again to see how the railway is growing. You can also see more photographs at our Fotopic site.

Last Amended: 31-Oct-2009