Tidworth 4mm OO
What if the ex-Midland & South Western Junction Railway route had survived between Romsey and Swindon via Andover Junction due to its importance as a secondary route from the North to the docks at Southampton, thus relieving pressure from the congested Reading to Basingstoke route and providing an alternative diversionary option?
Tidworth had increased in size in the 1970s and 80s due to population demand in the Salisbury area, so much so that the previously military only railway line was upgraded, and the station rebuilt in the mid-80s just as NSE came into being. NSE services that previously terminated at Bedwyn from Reading now continue to Tidworth, plus the original Portsmouth to Andover Jct service is extended to terminate at Tidworth. The line sees much MoD traffic that reverses in the station to access both the exchange sidings for Bulford, and the sidings at Ludgershall. Much of this traffic comes from Didcot yard via the Swindon routing but also from Marchwood and Eastleigh. The SWITCH warehouse at Andover has relocated to Tidworth and receives a variety of traffic mainly in vans for onward road transport. Lastly ECC opened a new quarry, and slurry is loaded into silver bullets which are combined with those from Quidhampton at Andover yard for onward movement.
Tidworth NSE, by Ian Blackall
Photographed by Chris Nevard fro Model Rail magazine
