Oxford and Rugby Railway

Oxford and Rugby Railway
Overview
StatusHistorical
OwnerGreat Western Railway
LocaleSouth East England
Termini
Service
TypeRural
SystemGreat Western Railway
Operator(s)Great Western Railway
History
Opened2 September 1850 (Oxford to Banbury)
1 October 1852 (to Knightcote)
Technical
Line lengthAbout 32 miles (51 km)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge7 ft 14 in (2,140 mm)
4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
(Dual gauge)

The Oxford and Rugby Railway was promoted by the Great Western Railway as a means of connecting to the West Midlands and the north of England, by joining existing railways at Rugby. It was authorised in 1845, but the GWR soon decided to make its own line to Birmingham, and in 1846 it acquired the O&RR; work had not started on its construction. In the same year the GWR obtained an act of Parliament, the Birmingham and Oxford Junction Railway Act 1846, giving authorisation for its Birmingham line. The two railways were treated as a single project, to connect Birmingham and Oxford. In 1850 a single line was opened between Oxford and Banbury, and in 1852 the whole line to Birmingham was opened.

The line continues in use at the present day, as an important trunk route.