Railway Herald
The railway follows the Kennet and Avon canal closely as it approaches Kintbury, the curvature of which was designed in the early 19th century for slow moving narrow boats. The future of railways with 4000 tonne stone trains required to turn through 50 degrees at speed in a short distance could not have been anticipated then. Two hundred years later the rails on the up line are having to be replaced again after the daily assault of heavily loaded trains from the Somerset quarries. Class 66/9 No. 66952 is in charge of fresh ballast being off-loaded on to the relaid up line prior to tamping in. Taken on 13th November 2024, the third of a 4-day closure between Theale and Westbury.
Tonybee
