the stanmore village branch by i.baker & j.e.connor
another photographic journey, this time featuring one of london's lost rural branch lines. the route is covered in great detail, with views of stations and motive power, together with general lineside features.
price: £7.95 plus £1 p&p in the uk
all titles available by mail order
send cheques for full amount to:
connor & butler ltd
po box 9561, colchester, essex. co1 9dl.
| the village of great stanmore, on the northern outskirts of middlesex was registered as having a population of around 1,400 in the 1880s, but had no direct rail connections with london. however around this time, the district came to the attention of wealthy hotelier, frederick gordon, who, in 1882 purchased the nearby bentley priory, which was once the home of queen adelaide. |
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he acquired this building for the purpose of converting it into a country retreat for his well-heeled hotel guests, but transport links needed improvement!
various railway bills deposited in parliament which would have served the area had failed. there were two in 1881 - the edgware & harrow railway, and the edgware & harrow junction railway. so gordon had to promote his own railway if he wanted to succeed!