Views from the train

1. Immediately on leaving Oxford station, the train crosses the Sheepwash Channel, a navigable link between the Oxford Canal and the River Thames. On the right you might be lucky and see the remains on the swing bridge that once carried trains into Oxford's Rewley Road station (closed 1951).
2. The train crosses onto the main lines. On the left look out for Turbo Teds Nursery and Oxford Universitys modern Castle Mill student apartments followed by the extensive sidings on both sides where trains are prepared for their next journey to London.
3. As we leave the city of Oxford, the railway passes through the delightful suburb of Jericho and on the left is a large area of common land known as Port Meadow, still used for grazing horses and cattle, and popular for walking. In the winter the meadow floods and forms a safe area for skating. In late spring vast areas are carpeted with buttercups.
4. At Oxford North Junction, the train leaves the main line and will shortly cross over the Oxford Canal before heading into the 121 metre long Wolvercot Tunnel carrying the railway below the busy A40/A44 road junction above.
5. Once out of the tunnel, youll see the Pear Tree Park & Ride on the left, and the train will skirt the back of the North Oxford Golf Course on your right.
6. The railway passes below Banbury Road, and the next major feature on the right is the disused grain silo at Water Eaton which was built during the Second World War. Behind it is another of Oxfords five Park & Ride sites. Youll also see the stockpiles of aggregates in the depot which receives a regular train of stone from the Mendips.
7. The railway now runs parallel to the A34, one of the busiest and congested roads in Oxfordshire used by traffic between the south of England and Midlands. You may be sitting in the comfort of the train watching the traffic queues particularly at rush hour.
8. The train slows to cross the three viaducts which carry the railway over the riverbed of the Cherwell. One section of this bridge dates from 1881.
9. Shortly afterwards the line crosses the first level crossing at Islip Mill Lane, and this is followed shortly afterwards by Islip Station. On the left is a former oil depot that once supplied aviation fuel to the large airbase at RAF Upper Heyford, a few miles away.
10. On leaving Islip, the A34 can still be seen on the right but the railway heads through the meadows and wetlands of Otmoor, comprising 400 acres of wildlife habitat with a nature reserve and military training area.
11. The level crossing at Oddington is reached before the train dips below the M40 motorway, linking London with Birmingham, and we then reach Langford Lane level crossing.
12. Look out on the right and you will see Graven Hill which is surrounded by one of the largest army supply depots in the UK. You may see a supply train being prepared in the exchange sidings.
13. Passing underneath the A41 marks our arrival in Bicester. On the right youll see the Bicester Village Retail Outlet which attracts visitors from around the world. We then arrive at Bicester Town station.