Disused Railways Nailsworth Branch Line Gloucestershire

Nailsworth branch railway was opened in the 1860’s as a freight line to transport the many goods being produced in the Nailsworth valley such as cloth timber dyes arms and ammunition as well as general engineering products. The railway was abandoned in the 1960’s, but the passenger service was disused many years before this. There were many private sidings along this short route. It did carry passengers for a while but it carried nearly a ton of goods for every passenger ticket sold. The substantial railway goods yard is still there in use as a car park, and so is the rather grand station, although this is now a private dwelling. As always the engineering of the bridges tunnels and culverts are of a very high standard expected of the Midland Railway and the track bed has been converted to a walking and cycle path. The intermediate stations have all now disappeared but the branch line to Stroud can still be traced. The route from Nailsworth begins in a lovely wooded valley before disappearing under modern housing estates and the bypass road to Stonehouse. It follows the delightful Nailsworth stream and the setting, having been notched into the hillside, makes a very pleasant walk. It must have been a lovely railway to travel on, and before being built over would have made a very special heritage railway.