Train ride to the Sky" near Kintbury

[whole diary]

[Marlburian]

Walking along the Kennet & Avon Canal this morning, I came across this re-purposing of old rails to strengthen a bridge. (Would that be exactly standard gauge?)

I popped into the station at  Kintbury, which was as boringly modern as those at Bedwyn and Hungerford. Its destination boards were literally on the blink - and the card-reader at the village shop wasn't working (no doubt a coincidence), so I dusted off a £10 note.

[bobm]

The Dundas Arms by Kintbury station is worth a visit - for the unusual counter top to the bar if nothing else.

Just remember the level crossing if you are heading east.  The gates come down a good few minutes before the train comes in and there’s no footbridge. 

[Marlburian]

I'd left my car near Hamstead level crossing, two miles to the east, and when I returned had to wait six or seven minutes for the barriers there to lift as two trains passed.

At Kintbury I thought that rail passengers have to take special care crossing over the canal bridge just before the level crossing: there's no pavement and at 1100 on a Saturday I had to draw in close to the wall to allow cars to come through.

[bobm]

That crossing, together with the ones at Hungerford and Kintbury, are controlled from the crossing box at Kintbury.  I think they can be closed independently but often I believe all three are closed at the same time to give a “clear run”.