Stratford-upon-Avon Station

This station had a long an interesting history which, I suspect, was the reason my father visited it often!  I recommend a browse of Rail Around Birmingham and Warwickshire Railways to find out more about the station.

If you are interested in the Stratford-upon-Avon and Midland Junction Railway the you should probably pop along to the website of the 'Unofficial SMJ Society'!

Stratford-on-Avon Stn & Shed - 30/9/51

A nice view of the station taken the year before it closed to passenger services.  The view is looking from the western end of the station.  Note the engine shed in the centre and the turntable far right.

E. End of S-on-A Stn - 21/5/56

Taken at the eastern end of the station, this view is looking towards Ettington and onwards to Fenny Compton.  Note the water column in the centre - there is a clearer view of this at the bottom of this page.

S-on-A Shed - 21/5/56

It appears that the engine shed was still well used after passenger services had ceased.  I think the loco to the left is numbered 44587 which would make it a Fowler Class 4F 0-6-0.

S-on-A Stn from W - 21/5/56

A good colour view of the site showing the signal box, station buildings and shed (far right).  Note another water column close to the signal post in the centre.

Stratford-on-Avon Stn - 24/5/59

By 1959 the signal box had been given a bit of an overhaul!  But what has happened to the shed...?

Site of Stratford-on-Avon Shed - 24/5/59

It appears that the shed had been fairly recently demolished when this shot was taken.  Note the turnable to the far right. The ballast seen in this picture and the one above seems rather casually laid.

S-on-A Old Town Exch Frame - 18/8/62

These pictures are particularly interesting.  They show the 'Stratford Upon Avon Old Town Exchange Ground Frame'.  There were some exchange sidings for use with traffic from the nearby GWR station. It appears that the ground frame replaced the signal box sometime between 1959 and August 1962. The bottom picture shows my father's notes on the rear of one of his prints.  I also thought some might like this close up of the levers.

Site of S-on-A Loco - 18/8/62

Over three years have passed since the shed was demolished and nature has taken over.  This is clearly seen by comparing this picture with the one from 1959.  It seems my father had stood in exactly the same spot for both!

W. End of S-on-A (SMJ) Stn - 18/8/62

Looking west, the ground frame can be seen to the right of centre.  The lines curving to the right lead to the GWR exchange sidings and the lines curving to the left were added to provide another connection to the ex-GWR line.  You can just about see the original line that headed towards Broom Junction too.

S-on-A (SMJ) Stn Exterior- 18/8/62

The exterior of the station is a very sorry site in this 1962 view.  Note the sidings in the foreground.

S-on-A (SMJ) Stn & Frame - 18/8/62

Looking east from the western end of the station, this clearly shows how the removal of the oversized canopy improved the look of the station building.

Stratford-on-Avon (SMJ) Stn from W. - 18/8/62

Having moved back a few yards from the scene of the shot above, this provides another eastward view.

E. End of S-on-A (SMJ) Stn - 18/8/62

The final picture is also looking east towards Fenny Compton and shows the water column and associated frost fire to help avoid freezing in the winter.  Note the hump in the line where there is a bridge over the River Avon close to the signal.

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