Viscount Court Industrial Estate (site of Brize Norton & Bampton Station)

 industrial estate, historic site, former train/railway station

Originally called Bampton, the station was actually nearer the village of Brize Norton. In typical East Gloucestershire Railway style it was remote from any habitation. Nonetheless, it was moderately busy and until the opening of nearby Carterton station in 1944, was the only place on the EGR where two passenger trains could cross. We have now traveled 11 miles 66 chains from Yarnton Junction and have descended into the flat meadows of the upper Thames Valley. The last piece of high ground was the 350 feet high Lew Hill, which the railway skirts before dropping down into the station.

Brize Norton was an unremarkable Upper Thames Valley village at the time the railway was constructed, now however it is world famous as home to the largest RAF airbase in the country. Bampton, on the other hand, has seen a reversal of fortunes, having been a town of some importance in the middle ages, its dominance in the area was replaced by Witney, largely due to the latter's better transport links, and the increasing importance of its blanket industry and mills. During the years the railway was operating both Brize Norton and Bampton were largely agricultural.

16 June 1962 was the final day of passenger services. Originally named Bampton, the construction of nearby RAF Brize Norton just before the Second World War led to the station being renamed Brize Norton & Bampton. The 3¾ miles between Witney and Bampton stations was the longest distance between stations on the line.

Reference: www.fairfordbranch.co.uk/Bampton.htm

Photos:
1) www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1910845 (1961)
2) www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1542425 (2009)