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Below is some of the text of the Parliamentary Act (1865) for a project to link the Banbury line (SMJ) to the Northampton and Peterborough branch line. By making use of the measurements in the paper, a reconstruction can be made - as in the map below. Had this been completed we would have seen three more bridges in the vicinity of Blisworth Arm. The time consuming shunting and turn-tabling to make the connection would have been avoided. One disadvantage of the linking is that a whistle-stop at Blisworth Station would have not been possible. Note that, in the construction of the SMJ line, the rail engineers seem to have anticipated at X the link in terms of an extra wide embankment just to the south of the main lines. A reprint of the Act was kindly
provided by Andy Newbery. |
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Paragraph 3. Over Rail Bridge The Banbury Company shall construct the Bridge for carrying the Branch Railway, thirdly described in their pending Deviation, &c. Bill, over the Main Line of the Northwestern Company of sufficient Span to admit of Four Lines of Railway being laid down on that Main Line under the Bridge; and unless otherwise agreed between the Two Companies, the Junction of that Branch with the Northampton and Peterborough Line shall be effected by means of an intermediate Siding, and the Works on the Lands of the Northwestern Company at the Junction to be executed to the reasonable Satisfaction of the Engineer of the Northwestern Company. Paragraph 18. The Railway and Works shown on the deposited Plans, and by this Act authorized to be made and maintained by the Company, with all proper Stations and other Works and Conveniences in connection therewith, shall commence in the Parish of Gayton in the County of Northampton by a Junction with the authorized Line of the Northampton and Banbury Junction Railway at a Point in the Field numbered 3 in the Parish of Gayton, on the Plan deposited in respect of that authorized Line with the Clerk of the Peace for the County of Northampton in the Month of November One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, and terminate in the Parish of Blisworth in the same County by a Junction with the Northampton and Peterborough Line of the London and Northwestern Railway Company, about four hundred yards eastward of the First Bridge from the Blisworth Station carrying the Northampton and Peterborough Line over the Grand Junction Canal. Paragraph 19. Over Road Bridge In carrying the Railway over the Road on the deposited Plan numbered 4 in the Parish of Blisworth the Company may make the Arch for the Purpose of any width not less than twenty Feet. Paragraph 20. Over Canal
Bridge Whereas the Railway is intended to be carried over the Grand
Junction Canal at a Point in the Parish of Blisworth in the County of
Northampton about sixty-six yards south of the Bridge numbered 48
over the said Canal, and it is expedient that Provision should be made
in respect thereto: Therefore, except as hereinafter mentioned, nothing
in this Act contained shall take away, diminish, or affect any of the
Rights, Privileges, or Powers vested in the Company of Proprietors of
the Grand Junction Canal, who are herein after referred to as "the
Grand Junction Canal Company" which Expression as hereinafter used
shall be held to mean the said Company of Proprietors; and the Company
shall not, without the Consent of the Grand Junction Canal Company under
their Common Seal, alter the Line or Level of the said Canal, or of the
Towing path thereof, or obstruct or impede the Navigation of the said
Canal, or divert, intercept, cut off, take, use, or diminish any of the
Waters of or in the said Canal, or which may be taken for the Use of or
which supply the said Canal, or injure or interfere with any of the
Works of the said Canal, or take or use, except for the limited Purposes
herein after mentioned, any Part of the said Canal, or of the Towing
path, Locks, Feeders, Lay-byes, Wharves, Warehouses, Banks, Bridges, or
other Works connected with the said Canal, or any Land belonging to the
Grand Junction Canal Company. |
