Difference between revisions of "Hampton Loade"

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====Barry Railway Carriage 163 ====
 
====Barry Railway Carriage 163 ====
Hampton Loade is the base for [[Barry Railway Carriage Trust]] who are restoring [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]].
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Hampton Loade is the base for [[Barry Railway Carriage Trust]] who are restoring [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]]. In 2022 the Trust and Railway agreed that 163 will leave the SVR.  
  
 
====Water Pump====
 
====Water Pump====

Revision as of 20:52, 30 April 2022

Hampton Loade station
An unidentified pannier on a Northbound service in September 1962 (Sellick Collection)
Next stations
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)
Highley (2 miles)
via Country Park Halt
Bridgnorth (4½ miles)
via Eardington (disused)

Hampton Loade station is a minor country station located between Bridgnorth and Highley, located close to the River Severn. On opening, the station had only a single platform and a siding, with a second platform and signal box being added in 1880s.

The station

The station house is built of yellow brick. Unlike some of the other station houses including Highley and Arley, this was not upgraded during the GWRGreat Western Railway era by the extension of the waiting room and provision of an extra bedroom.

Hampton Loade in preservation

During the early years of SVRSevern Valley Railway operation (1970 to 1974) Hampton Loade formed the southern terminus. Trains were until 1973 operated as 'one engine in steam' before signalling became operative.[1] Evidence of its terminus function remains in the form of the presence of the down starting signal on platform 2, which is normally only used for up trains. Following the 2007 Storm Damage the station again acted as the limit of trains from Bridnorth for a short period in 2008. It was later the terminus of The Eardington Explorer trains.

Hampton Loade station has two platforms and a signal box, allowing trains travelling in opposite directions to pass. In addition there is a south facing siding with a bay goods platform adjacent to platform 2. The crossing loop is the shortest on the railway, only able to hold a loco and 8 full-length coaches, with special arrangements to allow longer trains to pass. In normal operation DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) trains (to Bridgnorth) use platform 1, adjacent to the station house, while UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) trains (to Kiddrminster) use platform 2.

There are signals for DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) trains (to Bridgnorth) to depart from either platform. However there are only signals for DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) trains to arrive in the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) platform 1. In addition, there is no Facing Point Lock on the siding point, so that has to be manually "clipped" before a Bridgnorth train can use the UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) platform 2. Similarly, you can only clear the signal to route an UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) (Kidderminster) train through the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) platform 1 by switching the box out, and there is no UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) starting signal on the DownIn reference to the direction of travel means away from the major terminus (i.e. towards Bridgnorth on the present day SVR) line in Platform 1.

During periods of lighter traffic, when Hampton Loade signal box is switched out, all trains use platform 1 with movements controlled by the signal boxes at Highley and Bridgnorth using long section tokens under ETT regulations.

Facilities

The station has a small kiosk serving snacks and hot and cold drinks. The Hampton Loade Station Fund Shop and the Barry Railway Carriage Trust sales van are both situated in the bay platform. There is a small picnic area next to the station.

Although the station has a very small car park, road access to the station is limited and SVRSevern Valley Railway visitors are advised not to travel to Hampton Loade station by car.

Volunteer accommodation

GWR 2426 Toplight Full Third was stabled at Hampton Loade from 1988 for SVRSevern Valley Railway volunteers' accommodation. 2426 continued in use until mid-2016 and was succeeded by GWR Riding Van 55.

In late 2014 the railway announced that the station house had become vacant, and plans were in hand for it to be converted into SVRSevern Valley Railway volunteers' accommodation and mess room, subject to final agreements and costings between Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC and Hampton Loade Station Fund.[2] This would provide a more suitable facility than does rolling stock. As of 2019 volunteer work continues behind the scenes on the project with decoration and the Station Fund acquiring period GWRGreat Western Railway and BRBritish Rail or British Railways(WR) furniture.[3]

Points of interest

Passenger Foot Ferry

The station and the nearby Unicorn Inn are actually situated in the hamlet of Hampton. The village of Hampton Loade is on the other bank of the river (Loade comes from the Saxon word 'lode' meaning ford). There is now no ford or bridge, but in modern times a passenger foot ferry operated in summer months.

The ferry was a 'reaction ferry', tethered to a pulley block on an overhead cable suspended across the river and propelled by angling the ferry against the river current. The last ferry in use (pictured) was built in 2004, replacing the previous ferry which had been in use for 38 years. It closed after the 2007 Floods and was put up for sale by the owner.[4]. The SVRSevern Valley Railway turned down an offer to acquire the ferry as they did not feel the Railway was the right body to operate it.[5] It was eventually reopened in April 2009,[6] but has not operated since 2013, and it is not known if or when it will return to operation.

Paddock Garden Railway

The Paddock Garden Railway, a 32mm gauge model railway, is situated adjacent to the station and operates every Sunday when the SVRSevern Valley Railway trains are in operation, every Bank Holiday Monday and other days when certain special events are taking place.

Former 15in gauge railway

Plans were developed in 1986, led by John Tennent, for a short narrow gauge line at the station. Initially this was to have been a 2 ft gauge line with colliery tubs, as existed at the station before the First World War for the slag traffic from the old forge. However, following the acquisition of a 15in gauge petrol hydraulic 'Flying Scotsman', a 15in gauge track was laid and other rolling stock acquired including a complete train from the defunct Porthcawl Miniature Railway consisting of a 4-6-4T steam outline petrol electric locomotive and three coaches which were some of the original Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch four-wheelers. By winter 1989-90 a loco shed had been built, track and points laid and a workshop was almost complete.[7]

In 1991 it was decided that using it as a passenger-carrying miniature railway was becoming less likely to become a reality, so it was re-purposed as a demonstration industrial line using a Lister industrial locomotive, the other stock being sold. The stock sheds were then converted into a workshop for station restoration and maintenance, named 'The Forge Works', in memory of the old Hampton Loade forge. The line was used to carry items such as sand bags, lengths of rail, fence panels, sleepers, ash and ballast until 1995 when it transpired that its use was not covered by the SVRSevern Valley Railway's insurance. It closed on 8 June 1995, and track lifting began shortly afterwards[8].

BarryWoodham Brothers Scrapyard, Barry, South Wales. The source of many locomotives now in preservation. Railway Carriage 163

Hampton Loade is the base for Barry Railway Carriage Trust who are restoring Barry Railway Carriage 163. In 2022 the Trust and Railway agreed that 163 will leave the SVRSevern Valley Railway.

Water Pump

A water pump next to the station building was the sole source of drinking water until the station was connected to the mains in the 1930s. It is hand powered and mounted over a well, 3'6" diameter and 50' deep, and pumped water in to a tank in the roof of the Gent's toilets. A 1938 chemical and bacteriological analysis found the water unsafe for drinking.[9]

Siding exit ground signal

The UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR) Main siding exit ground signal is the only oil lit signal on the SVRSevern Valley Railway. The oil lamp is stored in the signal box and only fitted in the signal at galas.

Filming at Hampton Loade

Hampton Loade was used as a filming location for the film The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain and the BBC TV drama The Incredible Robert Baldick.

Hampton Loade derailment

On 28 September 2009, a derailment occurred when the tender of LMS Ivatt Class 4 43106 hauling a down passenger train became derailed as it approached Hampton Loade. There were no injuries. The immediate cause of the accident was the leading right-hand wheel of the tender flange climbing over the rail at the site of a track twist. An incorrect spring had been fitted to this axle of the tender.[10]

Hampton Loade history before preservation

Although the village was also historically known as Hampton's Loade[11], the station was originally called Hampton, with that name appearing in the opening timetable. However within a month it had adopted the name Hampton Loade which it has retained ever since[12].

Key dates in the history of Hampton Loade were:

  • 1862: Hampton Loade station opened with the rest of the Severn Valley Line on 1 February, with a single platform on the west side of the line and a short siding opposite. There was no facility for crossing trains.
  • 1882-1883: Approval was given for construction of the up platform and provision of the passing loop and an additional siding, controlled by a newly-installed signal box. The Board of Trade approved these works in June 1883[12].
  • 1922: GWR staff records show the station had a staff of 3, comprising the stationmaster and two porter/signalmen.
  • 1930s: Hampton Loade was the site of a GWR camping coach pre-World War 2[12].
  • 1963: Through passenger services ceased on 9 September, with through freight services ending at the end of November.
GWR Traffic statistics for Hampton Loade, selected years prior to 1939[13]
Passenger Traffic Freight Traffic
Year Tickets issued Parcels despatched Revenue (£) Tons received & despatched Revenue (£) Total revenue (£)
1903 9,967 2,691 760 1,488 631 1,391
1913 10,350 3,076 579 4,632 1,270 1,849
1923 9,077 3,117 778 900 599 1,377
1933 4,704 1,183 350 335 147 497
1938 5,116 659 304 555 201 505

Early Station Masters at Hampton Loade

The first description of ‘Station Master’ in GWRGreat Western Railway records is in 1897.

John Williams (booking constable, 1863) and Henry Powell (Booking Porter 1866-1887) may have supervised the station, the censuses of 1871 and 1881 describing the latter as Station Master.

Name Born From To Comments
William Sherwood 15 November 1846 Bidford, Warwickshire November 1897 October 1904 Previously employed at Hartlebury and Eardington on the branch, amongst other stations. ‘Station Inspector from January 1890, ans 1891 census describes Sherwood as ‘Station Master”. From January to May 1899 ‘stould in’ for W G Cleeton as station master at Berrington. Resigned 1904, the 1911 census records Sherwood as “Invalided Retired Station Master”.
Alfred Stanley 21 December 1855 Blockley, Worcestershire 24 October 1904 21 March 1915 Ill from March 1915, and retired. Died at Bridgnorth in 1918.
Joseph Thomas Hill 5 April 1877 Kinver, Staffordshire March 1915 Around 1924 Previously employed at Bewdley, Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth on the branch, amongst other stations. Moved to become station master at Arley.

Historic maps of Hampton Loade Station

  • Early GWRGreat Western Railway plan showing the original single line and siding
  • Later GWRGreat Western Railway plan showing the 1883 loop and second platform as amendments in red.
  • 1884 map (surveyed 1882) showing the single line and siding.
  • 1903 map showing the loop and second platform and repositioned siding
  • 1926 map showing little change over the previous twenty years.

Gallery

See also

References

  1. SVR S&T website (Retrieved 10 February 2019)
  2. SVRSevern Valley Railway(H) notice board issue NBINotice Board Issue. The SVR's on-line method of circulating information to working members.-H-194 "October-December 2014 Round UpIn reference to the direction of travel means towards the major terminus (i.e. towards Kidderminster on the present day SVR)", published on SVRLive
  3. Hampton Loade Station Facebook
  4. Wikipedia
  5. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 166, Summer 2009
  6. BBC News
  7. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 81, 94
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 118
  9. Records on the British Geological Survey web site
  10. Rail Accident Investigation Branch (retrieved 6 January 2017)
  11. Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Marshall (1989), p101
  13. Nabarro (1971) p. 54.

Early Station Masters data taken from census and GWRGreat Western Railway staff records by Reg Instone, who is involved with the Signalling Records Society, the LNWRLondon & North Western Railway Society and the GWRGreat Western Railway Study Group.


Links

Sharpos-World photos at Hampton Loade, showing station buildings, signalbox etc.