Interestingly, Marlborough had two railway stations. This came about because of the piecemeal development of railways and a completely un-coordinated approach, as all railways were run by separate companies. Many of these lines are now closed but the lines can be traced on maps and following clues on Google Earth. Similar to Marlborough, Devizes also had a railway link and a tunnel under the castle. Indeed, looking south of Marlborough, there are two disused railway lines equating to the two railway companies.
Historically, the railway passed close to Burbage with no link to Marlborough. In essence this is the current Great Western Railway (GWR) line that runs through Hungerford and Great Bedwyn.
Key dates in the development of Marlborough railways are as follows:
1864 the Marlborough railway opened as a branch from Savernake
1874 the line was taken over by GWR
1881 saw the opening of the north-south line from Swindon Town to Marlborough as part of the Swindon, Marlborough and Andover Railway (SMAR). This is the route of the path from Marlborough to Chiseldon (and thence onwards to Swindon). This did not connect with the GWR line from London to Bristol.
1881 also saw the opening of the Swindon and Cheltenham Extension Railway (S&CER) opening from Swindon to Cirencester
1882 SMAR opened the Grafton to Andover section with Marlborough to Grafton being operated on GWR tracks from 1883 to 1898
1884 SMAR and S&CER amalgamated to form the Midland and South Western Junction Railway (M&SWJR)
1891 M&SWJR opened Cirencester to Andoversford joining the GWR Banbury to Cheltenham line enabling a service to Cheltenham
1892 M&SWJR acquired Andover to Redbridge (Southampton) line enabling a through service to Southampton
1898 saw the opening of the Marlborough and Grafton Railway (M&GR) replacing the use of the GWR line
1899 M&SWJR acquired M&GR
1923 M&SWJR became part of GWR
1933 Former GWR Savernake to Marlborough line closed
1961 saw the cessation of passenger traffic to Marlborough and
1964 saw the cessation of goods traffic
So from nothing, Marlborough became well connected, but is once again isolated from railway connections.
(view the full edition)