Difference between revisions of "Eardington"
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| − | [[File:Eardington SVR Station - geograph.org.uk - 682362.jpg|thumb| | + | [[File:Eardington SVR Station - geograph.org.uk - 682362.jpg|thumb|300px|right| Eardington Halt (Wikimedia Commons)]] |
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| + | Eardington is a disused station, located mid-way between [[Bridgnorth]] and [[Hampton Loade]] at milepost 147¾. | ||
==The station== | ==The station== | ||
| − | + | In the earliest days of the SVR, when Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade formed the limit of operations, Eardington was used as an intermediate stopping point and watering place and was sometimes referred to as Eardington Halt (it was never deemed a Halt during GWR/BR days). | |
| − | + | During the period of [[Sir Gerald Nabarro]]'s chairmanship it was closed in connection with the possible rebuilding of Eardington as the northern terminus on the line. It later re-opened in March 1981, but last appeared in the timetable as a request stop in 1982,<ref name = "Marshall103">The Severn Valley Railway, John Marshall (1989) p103</ref> after which it was removed from regular use due to the steep gradient, short platform, and low passenger numbers<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eardington_Halt_railway_station Wikipedia]</ref>. | |
| − | [ | + | The halt has since been cosmetically restored by the Friends of Eardington Station, and is occasionally opened to visitors on gala days. The southern end of the platform was cut back after it collapsed, however the Friends held a fundraising appeal to replace the missing part;<ref>SVRA Working Members Newsletter November 2014</ref> it was reported on 27 October 2016 that sufficient funds had been raised to purchase the required replacement GWR bricks.<ref>[https://twitter.com/Eardingtonstn/status/791730973977219072 Eardington Station Twitter Feed], retrieved 01 Nov 2016</ref> |
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| + | ==Eardington siding== | ||
| + | A dead-end siding is situated at Eardington accessed by a two-lever [[Eardington ground frame | ground frame]] at the south end. This is released by the [[Highley signal box|Highley]]-[[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] long section token, and was commissioned in 1976<ref>[http://svrsig.co.uk/svr/Frame8.htm Severn Valley Railway S&T Department (unofficial) website.]</ref>. The siding had been removed by BR in 1964 after closure of the line, but was reinstated in the early days of the SVR. In 1973 under Sir Gerald Nabarro's chairmanship, the siding was converted by contractors to a run-round loop at the then not insignificant cost of £8,000. This was seen as part of the plan to abandon Bridgnorth, which led to much unrest on the SVR at the time. In fact the connection at the north end would have been too tight for most locomotives, and was soon removed<ref>Marshall, p180.</ref>. | ||
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| + | The siding is regularly used for storing Permanent Way rolling stock. | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Seacows_20170317.jpg|Ballast wagons in Eardington siding | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
== The Eardington Explorer == | == The Eardington Explorer == | ||
| − | + | On April 17th 2015, the [[The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust|82045 Steam Locomotive Trust]] ran a special fundraising train, the [[The Eardington Explorer|Eardington Explorer]]<ref>[http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3298 SVR-Online forum]</ref>. This ran between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, calling specially at Eardington. This was the first time that a stop had been timetabled at Eardington for several years. The Fund ran a secons 'Eardington Explorer' on April 22nd 2016. | |
| − | On April 17th 2015 | ||
==History of Eardington before preservation== | ==History of Eardington before preservation== | ||
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At opening in 1970, the timetable allowed a 5 minute stop southbound at Eardington for locomotive watering; passengers frequently took the opportunity to photograph the locomotive or buy pop and sweets which were sold at the station. Once watering facilities were installed at Bridgnorth, this was reduced to one minute, effectively ending this practice. | At opening in 1970, the timetable allowed a 5 minute stop southbound at Eardington for locomotive watering; passengers frequently took the opportunity to photograph the locomotive or buy pop and sweets which were sold at the station. Once watering facilities were installed at Bridgnorth, this was reduced to one minute, effectively ending this practice. | ||
| − | |||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
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File:Eardington-DMU-1962-09-16.jpg|A BR DMU at Eardington in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]]) | File:Eardington-DMU-1962-09-16.jpg|A BR DMU at Eardington in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]]) | ||
File:Eardington-2015-03-21.JPG|A similar view of Eardington, taken in March 2015 | File:Eardington-2015-03-21.JPG|A similar view of Eardington, taken in March 2015 | ||
| + | File:Eardington_Board_20170317.jpg|The station running in board | ||
| + | File:Eardington_Platform_20170317.jpg|An old bicycle on the platform next to milepost 147¾ | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | + | *[[List of stations]] | |
| − | * [[List of stations]] | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
| − | + | ==Links== | |
| + | *[http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=300 Sharpo's World photos at Eardington, showing station building & yard area] | ||
Revision as of 16:50, 24 March 2017
| UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) (towards Kidderminster) | DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) (towards Bridgnorth) |
|---|---|
| Hampton Loade (2¼ miles) |
Bridgnorth (2¼ miles) |
Eardington is a disused station, located mid-way between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade at milepost 147¾.
The station
In the earliest days of the SVRSevern Valley Railway, when Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade formed the limit of operations, Eardington was used as an intermediate stopping point and watering place and was sometimes referred to as Eardington Halt (it was never deemed a Halt during GWRGreat Western Railway/BRBritish Rail or British Railways days).
During the period of Sir Gerald Nabarro's chairmanship it was closed in connection with the possible rebuilding of Eardington as the northern terminus on the line. It later re-opened in March 1981, but last appeared in the timetable as a request stop in 1982,[1] after which it was removed from regular use due to the steep gradient, short platform, and low passenger numbers[2].
The halt has since been cosmetically restored by the Friends of Eardington Station, and is occasionally opened to visitors on gala days. The southern end of the platform was cut back after it collapsed, however the Friends held a fundraising appeal to replace the missing part;[3] it was reported on 27 October 2016 that sufficient funds had been raised to purchase the required replacement GWRGreat Western Railway bricks.[4]
Eardington siding
A dead-end siding is situated at Eardington accessed by a two-lever ground frame at the south end. This is released by the Highley-Bridgnorth long section token, and was commissioned in 1976[5]. The siding had been removed by BRBritish Rail or British Railways in 1964 after closure of the line, but was reinstated in the early days of the SVRSevern Valley Railway. In 1973 under Sir Gerald Nabarro's chairmanship, the siding was converted by contractors to a run-round loop at the then not insignificant cost of £8,000. This was seen as part of the plan to abandon Bridgnorth, which led to much unrest on the SVRSevern Valley Railway at the time. In fact the connection at the north end would have been too tight for most locomotives, and was soon removed[6].
The siding is regularly used for storing Permanent Way rolling stock.
Ballast wagons in Eardington siding
The Eardington Explorer
On April 17th 2015, the 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust ran a special fundraising train, the Eardington Explorer[7]. This ran between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, calling specially at Eardington. This was the first time that a stop had been timetabled at Eardington for several years. The Fund ran a secons 'Eardington Explorer' on April 22nd 2016.
History of Eardington before preservation
- 1864: A siding connection to Lower Forge was proposed but never built. Upper Forge and Lower Forge were two local ironworks, located respectively west and east of the line and joined by a 750 yard long navigable canal tunnel.[1].
- 1868: Eardington Station opened on 1 June 1868, some six years after the opening of the Severn Valley Railway[8].
- 1893: The station platform was extended[1].
- 1899: The ironworks closed[1].
- 1949: BRBritish Rail or British Railways reduced the station to unstaffed status after 1 April 1949, though did not designate it as a Halt.[8].
- 1959: The goods loop was reduced to a siding, accessed from the south end only[8].
- 1963: The station closed when passenger traffic ceased on 9 September 1963[8].
- 1964: The former goods loop siding was completely removed[8].
Points of Interest
Locomotive watering facility
The water tank at Eardington was acquired by the SVRSevern Valley Railway Society from Withymoor, Netherton (near Dudley) in the summer of 1967, and installed in time for the 1968 Steam Gala. The decision to install the SVRSevern Valley Railway’s first proper watering facility at Eardington rather than Bridgnorth was due to Eardington having naturally soft water compared with very hard water at Bridgnorth.
At opening in 1970, the timetable allowed a 5 minute stop southbound at Eardington for locomotive watering; passengers frequently took the opportunity to photograph the locomotive or buy pop and sweets which were sold at the station. Once watering facilities were installed at Bridgnorth, this was reduced to one minute, effectively ending this practice.
Gallery
Ex-GWRGreat Western Railway Pannier 3788 calls at Eardington in November 1960 (Sellick Collection)
A BRBritish Rail or British Railways DMUDiesel Multiple Unit at Eardington in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)
A similar view of Eardington, taken in March 2015
The station running in board
An old bicycle on the platform next to milepost 147¾
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Severn Valley Railway, John Marshall (1989) p103
- ↑ Wikipedia
- ↑ SVRASevern Valley Railway Association Working Members Newsletter November 2014
- ↑ Eardington Station Twitter Feed, retrieved 01 Nov 2016
- ↑ Severn Valley Railway S&T Department (unofficial) website.
- ↑ Marshall, p180.
- ↑ SVR-Online forum
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 SVRSevern Valley Railway Souvenir Guide, Ninth Edition
