To discourage the GWR from proceeding, the LNWR approached the shareholders of the Oxford and Birmingham Company individually to buy their shares with view to forcing the price as high as possible - resulting in questions being asked in Parliament.

The question arose of where the break-of-gauge should be – Oxford or Rugby[4] – a dilemma the LNWR doubtless exploited.

As a result, in August 1849[2] the section of the Rugby line north of Fenny Compton was abandoned.

British Railways closed Fenny Compton station to passenger traffic from 2 November 1964.

Going north from Fenny Compton toward Leamington Spa the line curves gently to the right, on the course that would have taken it to Rugby via Southam.