There is a branch line that runs between Maidenhead and Marlow which was once part of the former railway line which ran between Maidenhead and High Wycombe before Dr.Beecham decided to axe community lines in the 1960’s .In the names of costs and efficiency Beecham reduced the total route miles by about 4000 miles of track .At the time it was thought that the Conservative government of the day were in cahoots with powerful road construction companies and then the next Labour government jumped on the band wagon and fast tracked the second stage of Beechams report , resulting the loss of a further 2000 miles of track. On the face of it, it would seem that both government and opposition were in the pockets of the construction industry.
So how can a single track railway operate a two way train system? The answer is simple .This is possible because Bourne End station has two platforms that may be used simultaneously.
All off-peak trains must stop and reverse at Bourne End, as the line to Marlow has a trailing connection, and the driver must change ends for the second part of the route
The train that runs on the branch line is known as The Marlow Donkey, a term which was the affectionate name for the saddle tank steam locomotive that served the line between 1868 and 1935. There is also a pub in Marlow of same name, just by the station.
Billy wanted to know why the train was called a donkey. ”Well Billy ,it’s called that because donkeys generally transport things from one place to another , along the same bit of road or track in a monotonous way .Yes Billy and there’s more “ said the First Mate “Boat Captains are often like donkeys in the fact that they are stubborn, make funny noises and behave like idiots”. “And if they were like you First Mate, they’d be creatures that liked their oats and would very well endowed” replied Billy
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