Golden Valley line
railway line in the UK
The Golden Valley line is the popular name for the railway line connecting Swindon, Gloucester, and Cheltenham Spa in England. Originally constructed as the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway, the line opened between Swindon and Kemble (with a branch to Cirencester) in 1841; it took an additional four years to complete the remaining sections.
The line diverges from the Great Western Main Line at Swindon, passes through the Sapperton tunnel, and descends the Golden Valley to Stroud. At Standish Junction, just north of Stonehouse, it merges with the main line running between Bristol Temple Meads and Birmingham New Street.
Origin of name
The "Golden Valley" refers to a section of the valley of the River Frome located between Chalford and Stroud, which the railway line follows for part of its route. It is said that the name was coined by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, while travelling on a train along this route in June 1909. Since then, the name has become associated with the entire line from Swindon to Gloucester and Cheltenham, as these are the endpoints of the shortest train services along the line.
Places served
The towns served by the route are:
Swindon
Kemble
Stroud
Stonehouse
Gloucester (through trains must reverse, or omit calling here)
Cheltenham
The other intermediate stations and halts were closed to passengers on 2 November 1964. Kemble station was a junction for two branch lines serving Cirencester and Tetbury; both branches closed to passengers on 6 April 1964 and their tracks were subsequently lifted.
Services
Passenger services between Paddington and Cheltenham are operated by Great Western Railway.
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