Monument record 4617/2/2 - Ironstone Tramway

{2} Oral reports that there is track for the ironstone workings which runs along the Keystone Road with visible remains in the garden of 16/18 Park Road. It was in 1893 that a meeting was held with Village Parish Council to grant permission for the railway line to run alongside the Keystone Road. The line was believed to take the following route - from the rear of the Conservative Club across Ponds Close crossed over Park Road, took the northern side of the hedge up three field and then reversed and cut across the Hargrave and Keystone Road.

{3} The quarries were connected to the Midland Railway at Raunds station by a tramway nearly two miles in length. Standard gauge was used for the track.Previous security officer a Wellingborough Foundaries recalls seeing track in the fields in the 1920's -30's. The OS 1884 maps shows the trackway ending south of the Hargrave Road (presumably because the survey was conducted whilst much of the track was being lifted).

<1> Ballinger J., 1999, Northamptonshire Extensive Urban Survey: Industrial Period, (unchecked) (Digital archive). SNN4.

<2> ROBERTS P., 1998, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Correspondence). SNN39830.

<3> Tonks E., 1990, The Ironstone Quarries of The Midlands (History, Operation and Railways): The Wellingborough Area, p.218-221 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45742.

<4> O'Rourke R., 1970, Some Northamptonshire Brickworks, (unchecked) (Article). SNN103347.

<5> Flitcroft M., 2011, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment: Land to the Rear of 10 & 12-14 Park Road, Raunds, Northamptonshire, p.7 (checked) (Report). SNN107466.

Record last edited

Jul 27 2011 9:20AM