Weedon–Marton Junction line

The Weedon–Marton Junction line (also known as the Weedon–Leamington line) was a rural branch line in England that ran from the West Coast Main Line at Weedon, via Daventry to Marton Junction, where it joined the Rugby–Leamington line and thus connected to Leamington Spa.

Opening in stages between 1888 and 1895, the line was closed to passengers in 1958, and to freight in 1963, however a short section of the line at the western end from Marton Junction to Southam, remained open for freight trains serving the cement works until 1985.

Route and stations

There were six stations on the line:

Weedon (which allowed interchange with the West Coast Main Line)

Daventry

Braunston

Flecknoe

Napton & Stockton

Southam & Long Itchington

Trains to Leamington called at the now closed Leamington Spa (Avenue) station, and either terminated at the now closed Milverton station, or continued to Nuneaton.

Weedon, Daventry and Braunston stations were in Northamptonshire, while the remainder were in Warwickshire.

The line was single track throughout with passing loops at each of the stations except Flecknoe. Provision was made for a passing loop at Flecknoe, but it was never used. The later Great Central Main Line passed over the line at Wolfhampcote between Braunston and Flecknoe, but there was never any physical connection between the two lines.

The line crossed the Grand Union Canal three times between Flecknoe and Marton Junction. At the westernmost of these crossings the canal bridge (still extant) was preceded by a five-arch brick viaduct (also still extant) across the River Itchen. The bridge and viaduct are now part of a footpath and cycle route.