An autocoach service runs along the section between Stanley Bridge Halt and Chippenham.
The Calne branch was a route of the length of 5 1/4 miles from Chippenham to Calne in Wiltshire, England. Two intermediate stations were constructed on the route: Stanley Bridge Halt and Black Dog Halt.
Black Bridge
Black Dog Halt was a private station and siding and was built for the Marquis of Landsdowne's Bowood Estate. The Marquis allowed passengers to use his station and fares were charged as if travelling to Calne. In fact it did not appear on the timetable until mid 1952. Freight traffic was withdrawn in 1964 and passenger services eventually ceased on 18 September 1965. It lasted so long because it had one of the largest Bacon factories in England and they transported much of their cargo by rail until the 1960's. In the first month of traffic (29 Oct - 29 Nov, 1863) the line carried 1,781 heads of livestock which were mainly pigs. Even though the line was only 5 miles in length it was served by 4 locomotive sheds, these were Bath, Chippenham, Bristol and Westbury, showing the good use that the line had.
A 2-6-2 loco departs Calne with a mixed freight service.
My route covers the whole branch with accurate gradients and the use of 7th series OS maps (1949-61) to place roads and bridges over the line in their correct places, as well as many other features. The predominant loco power was steam traction with GWR Steam railmotors running the line from c.1905 to the mid 1930's when autocoach services were introduced until 1958. DMU's then operated the line until its eventual demise.The branch is set in the mid 1950's when it was still in good use but scenarios set in other periods fit the line as well.
A Class 101 DMU departs Stanley Bridge Halt heading in the direction of Black Dog Halt.
The route is available to download on the Steam Workshop here.