The cover photograph on this issue of Quainton News has been chosen to remind us that it is ten years since the Great Central Railway's main line was closed entirely south of Rugby to Calvert and through trains to and from Marylebone ceased. The actual day was 4th September, 1966.

Quainton Road, as a passenger station had lost its local service six years before, from 4th March, 1963. In the last week of the operation of the Aylesbury and Woodford Halse services Derby-built four car diesel multiple units were used together with 2-6-4T's, 42251/2 hauling corridor stock. The goods yard at Quainton closed from 4th July, 1966, and for three years the station and yard slumbered, paint peeled and weeds flourished. Then the LRPS arrived and under its successor, the Quainton Railway Society, the premises have witnessed hitherto unknown activities, great Bank Holiday crowds and progress and improvements in yards and buildings.

To return to the photograph! It was taken by Henry Casserley on 2nd June, 1934 at Chorley Wood and shows an up Manchester train headed by LNER 5506 Butler Henderson. This is the Great Central 4-4-0 which was preserved after its withdrawal from service in October 1960, restored at Gorton Works and handed over in September 1961 for exhibition at the Museum of Transport at Clapham. It arrived there on 11th November, 1962 and was one of the most popular locomotives for those enthusiasts who remembered the distinctive character of the 'London Extension'. The closing of Clapham and the dispersal of the stock is recent history but the news of Butler Henderson's transfer, on loan to the Main Line Steam Trust at Loughborough in March last year, gave many enthusiasts special pleasure. 5506 could have been working the 8.20 am Manchester (London Road) to Marylebone when it was photographed. This train used to pass Quainton at about 12.15 pm but as the engine only carries stopping train headcode a more likely train was the 1.59 pm Rugby Central local which called at Quainton at 3.20 pm.

We would like to hear from readers who have personal recollections of the life at Quainton Road station before it closed. Please drop a line to the Editor at, Southampton or telephone him at Hythe xxxxxx.

Notes:
The text in this Quainton Railway Society publication was written in 1976 and so does not reflect events in the 39+ years since publication. The text and photographs are repeated verbatim from the original publication, with only a few minor grammar changes but some clarifying notes are added if deemed necessary. The photos from the original publication are provided as scans in this internet version of this long out of print publication.

Reference:
Ten Years Ago - Quainton News No. 27 - Spring 1976