22 October 2025 The Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway

Presenter: Richard Coghlan

Richard Coughlan delivered an excellent presentation tracing the history and geographical route of the Didcot, Newbury & Southampton Railway (DN&S), from its inception to the cessation of operations in the early 1970s.

An articulate and engaging speaker, Richard was well-received by the audience, speaking clearly without the need for amplification. His talk began with an overview of the rationale behind the railway's construction, followed by a description of its development, including the multiple parliamentary acts required as the scope of the project evolved. Richard clarified the complex operational agreements between the Great Western Railway (GWR) and the London and South Western Railway (LSWR), noting that GWR’s aims were to secure access to Southampton Port, while the LSWR was intent on preventing this outcome. Richard showed that the resolution of these aims added greatly to the difficulties of operating the line.

Richard’s presentation also addressed the pivotal role the line played during both World Wars, when it served significant military functions. This period saw the addition of several branches and the temporary expansion of stations, tracks, and signalling infrastructure to support nearby military camps. He concluded by discussing the gradual decline and eventual closure of the DN&S, highlighting how parts of the track-bed were repurposed for road construction.

In addition to the historical narrative, Richard presented images of nearly all the stations along the line, often illustrating changes across different periods. Of special interest to Great Western Railway enthusiasts, many photographs featured  3440 “City of Truro”, which was based at Didcot in 1957 and frequently operated local services when many of the photographs in the presentation were taken.