Henley-on-Thames Branch

The Henley-on-Thames Branch
by Paul Karau
The Henley branch, opened in 1857 as one of Brunel's broad gauge 'feeder lines', provided easy access and effectively increased the town's popularity as a Thameside resort and home of the famous Royal Regatta. The increasing traffic necessitated a continuing expansion of facilities and culminated in the doubling of the line in 1897
This account retraces the hitherto unrecorded history of this neglected line which, terminating some 35½ miles from Paddington, accommodated long trains hauled by main line express locos and yet in quieter moments so often seemed little more that a minor country branch line
The author was born in Henley and spent many happy hours exploring the line, particularly as a young schoolboy. However, the demolition of, in the first instance, the engine shed, water tower and goods shed, such seemingly permanent features, made him realise the need to record the railway and eventually led him to research the history of the branch. Although the line is still open, the author makes no apology for not including a detailed account of the economies following the demise of steam. Henley station has almost totally disappeared, together with so many familiar features, and it is hoped that the reader may be left with an impression of the line in happier times when the service was thriving and vital to the town's economy.
176 pages, 1982, Case bound, 8½" x 11"
Wild Swan Publications
ISBN-10 0906867037