the BISHOPS STORTFORD
DUNMOW and BRAINTREE
branch.
the BISHOPS STORTFORD
DUNMOW and BRAINTREE
branch.
The Bishops Stortford. Dunmow and Braintree was an obvious choice for a railway line, cutting direct across the fertile North Essex countryside. Linking Bishops Stortford. Hertfordshire and The Stort Waterway with the productive Essex towns and the coastal area.
Great Dunmow
The decision to build the line was not solely made against locational considerations, but to stop rival railway company's from developing an alternative route. The main rival being the Epping. Ongar. Dunmow and Sudbury Railway. If this railway had been built, just think of the difference it would have made, to largely unspoiled and undeveloped Mid Essex, and if it had survived till today, what a brilliant and active commuter line it would have made.
Takeley
The Bishops Stortford. Dunmow. Braintree, was a straight direct route, linking the villages of Takeley. Felsted and Rayne, plus smaller stops such as Easton Lodge. Stane Street and Bannister Green, as well as the larger towns.
Stane Street Halt
Please read "Ghost At The Halt" when you have finished this page.
The BS.D & B was never a great profit source, it ticked over quite nicely, and had a steady trade, with a lot of activity generated via Bananas with the Geest Complex near Easton Lodge.
Easton Lodge
Easton Lodge was a very interesting location, being built mainly as a private station by the Countess of Warwick, and used by the rich, the famous and royalty, but also made freely available for use by local people.
Railway men of Bishops Stortford - Dunmow Branch
