Bicester Local History Society member Matthew Hathaway explores the opening of a new rail link in Bicester.

ON OCTOBER 6, 1905, the Bicester Advertiser ran an article about the London and North Western Railway Company’s new rail-motor service.

One of a number of services started around the country that used a single coach powered by a steam engine at one end of the chassis.

The long talked of service of motor cars commenced on the following Monday between Bicester and Oxford, in connection with the L&NW Railway.

It was originally announced to commence in July 1904, but from some unexplained cause the idea for a time had to be abandoned.

There were eight runs to and from Oxford every day, and on Thursdays and Saturdays there were additional late cars.

The fares were about the same as ordinary trains at the time, but stopping places, were provided at Wendlebury, Oddington, Charlton, Oxford Road, and Wolvercote.

A preliminary trip of the car was made from Oxford to Bicester a day previous to the article, starting from Oxford about 12.30pm, and returning to Islip from Bicester soon after 1pm.

The six miles between Bicester and Islip was covered in about 10 minutes, the journey between Bicester and Oxford, including stoppages, being given as 30 minutes.

The running of the car was extremely smooth, and the vibration from the engine scarcely perceptible.

There were two compartments, one for non-smokers and one for smokers, and the car held 48 passengers.

It was electrically lighted and heated by hot water pipes, the company had considered the comfort of the public.

At Islip an excellent luncheon was provided for the guests, including representatives from the company, local dignitaries, and members of the press, in a magnificent and elegantly fitted up dining saloon, belonging to the L&NW Railway Company, and which took the grand prize at the Paris Exhibition in 1900.

The hope was freely expressed that this new feature in railway travelling would be remunerative to the promoters and a convenience to the public.

The following week, after the service had started, the newspaper reported on it again saying "The venture of the L&NW Railway Company in establishing a motor-car system between Bicester and Oxford is a bold one, and everyone wishes it success.

"It deserves to succeed, and it will not be the fault of the promoters if it does not, for there are eight trains a day each way, and nothing remains but for the public to travel.

"The car started running from Oxford on Monday morning, but a hitch occurred later on, owing to the bearings of the car becoming heated – a circumstance very frequent in newly made engines and carriages.

"The mishap was quickly remedied by an ordinary engine and corridor carriage being put on service.

"Such a delay is hardly likely to again occur, because the bearings soon get accustomed to the friction, and every mile travelled renders the chance of heating less.

"But for the motor-car service to be a success the approach roads to the calling places must be improved, or in winter time very few persons will be able to reach them."

More information on the history of railways around Bicester can be found on the Bicester Local History Society website blhs.org.uk.

Bicester Local History Society meets at 7.30pm on the third Monday of each month at the Clifton Centre, Ashdene Road, and all are welcome.

Next Monday's talk will be 'Evacuation to Bicester and Local Villages 1939-45' by Martin Greenwood.