Early in the 20th century one of the signalmen working at Steventon arranged for a railway carriage to be hoisted onto some land next to the Stocks Lane crossing. 

This became his family home until he sold it – with outbuildings, presumably the ‘privvy’ – for £40 to Charlie Wilkins in 1923. 

In turn Alan Wilkins lived here with his wife and baby until the early hours of 10th January 1956 when he was woken by loud banging at his door. A passing rail worker had seen flames from the carriage and warned the family of their danger. The gas was quickly turned off and Mrs Wilkins and their five-month-old baby rushed out of the carriage and Mr Wilkins rescued his 85-year-old grandfather. Fire tenders from Didcot and Abingdon managed to restrict the damage but the heat caused the thick plate-glass to explode “like fireworks”. 

The family spent the night in a neighbours caravan and spent the next day salvaging what few possessions they could.