OXFORDSHIRE IRONSTONE CO.

This company was formed in 1917 by a combination of Stewarts & Lloyds, Baldwins and Brymbo Steel, to supply ironstone to steelworks in Wales and Staffardshire. Production began 1919. Exchange sidings with the GWR were estabished at Wroxton, north of Banbury Station. Here were the head offices of the Company and two engine sheds capable of accommodating at least 12 engines. The tramway lines ran away southwesterly from Wroxton about 2.5 miles to Pen Hill, where were constructed more loco facilities and collection sidings, for this was the point at which the quarry lines proper branched off. The track from Wroxton to Pen Hill was eventually all double track, mainline standard, with two signal boxes and associated signals. A large stud of engines was maintained, the double track section mainly worked by six-coupled engines, 4 coupled engines, all fitted with buckeye couplings to allow them to couple with the quarry wagons, working from Pen Hill to the quarries. In 1965, almost at a stroke, the steam engine fleet was replaced by thirteen Sentinel diesels, although their reign was very shortlived. At their peak, the quarries were producing about 2 million tons of ore a year and employed about 200 men. The system closed in 1967 and very little evidence of it remains.
These pictures are displayed for information and interest only and the accuracy of information in the captions cannot be guaranteed.
PLEASE NOTE : IMPORTANT MESSAGE : Please be aware that I do not sell copies of ANY of my pictures, DO NOT email copies to viewers or allow re-posting on other sites. Neither do I wish to enter into correspondence with any individual or group regarding my pictures or their captions. All comments reflect my personal opinions and I am not prepared to discuss these with anyone or to spend the rest of my life answering inane questions. I apologise for this disclaimer but I'm afraid it has been forced upon me. I have no wish to offend anyone and I hope you will continue to enjoy my pictures at your leisure.