Monument record 8422/2 - Ironstone Tramway Route

The route of a former mineral railway is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs that extended from Little Chester towards the ironstone workings east of Chester House.

{1} AD C20th quarry pit and ironstone tramway; the latter was put in 1926-27. It obliquely crossed the camp and avenue to Chester House. It was built to serve the quarry to the east of Chester House. The quarry opened up in 1927 but the quarry pits in this area were not successful and closed a year later.

{3} Documentary research and earthworks survey revealed extent of ironstone workings.

{5} Edge of ironstone tramway causeway can be seen along the northern edge of the field.

{9-10} The route of a former mineral railway is visible as a cropmark and earthwork on aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. The route extended from SP 90359 66473 to SP 92107 67021 towards an ironstone quarry, and cut though the rampart of the Roman settlement.

<1> 1993, SMR Report form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN48756.

<2> Tonks E., 1990, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Wellingborough Area, p.36 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45742.

<3> Soden I., 1993, SMR Report Form, (checked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49310.

<4> Soden I.; Masters P., 1993, Archaeological Survey at Irchester, Northamptonshire 1993: Irchester Heritage Park Car Park Stage 1, p.3 (checked) (Report). SNN1708.

<5> Cadman G., 1993, Irchester, Chester Farm: Conservation Survey Archive Report, (checked) (Report). SNN105154.

<6> Dix B.N., 1991, Archaeological Evaluation at Irchester, Northants, 1990-91, p.24 (checked) (Report). SNN1694.

<7> Carr, D., 2011, Irchester Ironstone Quarries: Key Dates and Events, (unchecked) (Book). SNN108267.

<8> MLM Environmental, 2004, Wellingborough East Geo-Environmental Assessment: Southern Routes, (unchecked) (Report). SNN106516.

<9> Environment Agency, LIDAR Composite DTM - 1m (Digital Plots). SNN111710.

<10> Hall D.N.; Nickerson N., 1967, Excavations at Irchester, 1962-3, p. 66 (Article). SNN76281.

<11> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 10 2025 7:30PM