from F.H.Mair's handbook companion guide

This Branch Railway which connects Peterborough with the main London and Birmingham Line at Blisworth is forty-seven and a quarter miles in length, and was opened to the public on Monday, the second of June, 1845, when several of the Directors, accompanied by the Mayor, Corporation, gentry, and other inhabitants of Northampton, journeyed in a train of fifteen first-class carriages from Northampton to Peterborough in two and a half hours, including stoppages of about fifty minutes, every prominent view of the line throughout its whole length being occupied by the astonished and wonder-stricken natives, "Whatever prospective advantages this Railway might possess upon its formation, the results of the first years traffic have very far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its promoters; at the same time it has afforded to the inhabitants of the eastern part of the county, and others residing at and near the towns of Stamford, Market-Deeping, Spalding, Boston, Holbeach, Long-Sutton and Wisbeach, a facility of transit for themselves and goods to the metropolis and to the more populous towns in the Midland Counties, and opened a communication through a country where a very imperfect one had hitherto existed. This advantage the people have largely partaken of, and their desire to do so every day increases as the communication becomes more known and speedy intercourse appreciated.

Few, if any lines of Railway can boast of greater fertility of soil, of more elegant woodland scenery, or more specimens of architectural interest than the Valley of the Nene, through which this Railway entirely runs; and the traveller will find throughout its whole length one continued picturesque variety of hill and vale, wood and water, to diversify the landscape and rivet his attention; and it will be the object of the writer as he proceeds, to point out to him everything that may deserve notice, or that may attract his eye; so that whilst "he drags at each remote his lengthening chain" it will be the authors wish to lessen a number of its links by giving him amusement with instruction.

The following extracts the text that relates only to the journey from Blisworth to Northampton.  This Line branches from the London and Birmingham Line at the BLISWORTH STATION, 62 miles from London, and is situated in the parish of Blisworth, in the county of Northampton, by a fine curve to the right, crossing immediately the Grand Junction Canal upon a bridge of piles, and entering upon an embankment nearly twenty-feet high proceeds across the valley in a straight line about three-quarters of a mile. Being fairly launched upon our voyage, the first object of interest to the left, is a fine brick bridge of one arch, crossing the Birmingham Line distant about 200 yards; and still more to the left one and a half miles in the distance is the tower of Gayton Church, prettily situated upon the summit of the hill encircled by trees. The Manor-House, now reduced to the condition of a farm-house, but retains the characteristics of the Elizabethan domestic architecture. A White Bridge of one arch over the Canal against a few farm-houses will not escape observation, and is a pleasing object. Half way across the embankment we have on the right a splendid view of the fine vale, and looking a little behind we have a good prospect of the London Line running along upon an embankment at the foot of the hill; as also the commodious booking offices and sheds of the Blisworth station. Half a mile distant upon the same side, Milton Church is a picturesque object; its low decorated spire being embellished by a rich back-ground of trees; and in the extreme distance, the fine White Mansion of Mr. Harris, is conspicuously situated, but attention to this residence will be again drawn when a few miles further advanced. We next enter a cutting about half a mile long, and fifteen feet deep, through which all view is obscured. This cutting is crossed near the entrance by a wooden bridge upon brick pillars, leading from the villages of Milton and Collingtree on the right, to Gayton on the left, and 200 yards further there is an occupation bridge again crossing it of the same character. Upon emerging from this cutting, a little to the left is the Northampton Canal, which runs a considerable distance by the edge of the line, the water in which is held up a great height here by means of seventeen pairs of locks between this point and the lock-house, a distance of half a mile. On this side the scenery is delightful. Amidst clustering trees may be seen the interesting tower of Rothersthorpe Church and Village; as also an extensive and fertile valley, adorned by graceful woods. On the right, fifty yards from the Line, is Milton Ham, a farm-house occupied by Mr. John Manning; and again an excellent view is obtained of Wootten Hall, the seat of Mr. Harris, beautifully situated upon the brow of the hill, two miles distant. At sixty-five miles from London we cross a valley upon an embankment a quarter of a mile long and ten feet high; when on the top of the hill to the right a pretty farm-house is seen occupied by Mr, Joseph Dickens. The Line now curves gracefully to the left, and a quarter of a mile further on it is crossed by a road leading from Northampton to the Village of Rothersthorpe, distant about one mile. Near this place the call again curves to the right, and a cutting about twelve feet deep and half a mile in length commences. We have now on the left the first view of the River Nene flowing about fifty yards beyond the canal, which is again close to the Line. Across the river several flour mills are built, and still more to the left we see the hill covered with wood winding far away, until its blue top is lost in the extremity of the distance. The Line is now carried forward on an embankment 600 yards long, when to the right we see on the hill top 60 yards distant Huntsbury Hill, commonly known as the Danes Camp, the pleasing residence of William Shaw, Esq., but the property of Edward Bouverie, Esq., and near to which is the favourite fox covert of the same name, well known to sportsmen.

At the point marked 66 upon the mile-post there is a short cutting about ten feet deep, the Line still curving to the right, over which there is a wooden bridge supported by red brick pillars. One mile to the left may be seen the tower of Duston Church, and near to it a New White House, the residence of the Rev. W. Gravell. A monastery was founded here in 1112, for Black Canons, by William Peverel, natural son of William the Conqueror, styled St. James Abbey, and some remains of it are still visible. Upton Hall, bosomed in deep woods on the slope of the hill two miles distant is also visible. A castle was built here by Simon de Lyz, of which there are some ruins still remaining. The town of Northampton is now in a direct line before us, of which there is a fine panoramic view, but it is better seen by the traveller from the railway carriage just as he has swept round the sharp curve to the left where the canal is crossed by the pretty little white bridge . . . continues