Changes

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 As well as installing a run-round loop (see below), detailed plans were also prepared for the station to be enlarged and a car park provided, although this was not publicised at the time.<ref name=Marshall180>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 180.</ref> The station 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 [[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989) p103]] p. 103.</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>.

In November 2018, FCFM Group, the owners of nearby Astbury Hall, submitted plans to Shropshire Council for development of the hall and grounds as a 'holiday venue'. The Design Statement states "The applicant has agreed to assist in financing of the reopening of Eardington Station and to take a direct link between Astbury Estate and the Severn Valley Railway."<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/bridgnorth/2018/12/05/50m-plans-revealed-for-world-class-holiday-venue/ Article on the proposed reopening in the Shropshire Star]</ref><ref>[https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PHHELNTDHH500 Planning application for Astbury Hall on Shropshire Council web site]</ref> This would see around 300 high quality log cabins at the site adjacent to Eardington Station. FCFM submitted to the SVR an outline proposal for investment such that trains could call regularly providing a link to the new development. The parties agreed to explore how public access could be provided from the estate to the station and what could be achieved while ensuring the character and feel of the station are not undermined.<ref>SVR announcement 7 December 2018</ref><br> 

A dead-end siding which is 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>.

The original siding at Eardington 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, it was converted by contractors into 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.<ref name=Marshall180/> By winter 1974-5 the loop had been converted to a siding to for PW use. The two points at the north end which formed a crossover were both removed; the former point in the main line was reused at [[Arley]] while the point from the loop was taken to Bridgnorth for use in the loco yard. The single-bladed trap at the south end was not considered suitable for a siding opening onto a passenger carrying line, so was replaced by a double-bladed trap.<ref>SVR News 34</ref> Since that time the siding is regularly used for storing Permanent Way rolling stock.<gallerymode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">

Unused for some years and heavily perforated, it was removed on 22 April 2021using the [[Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane]].<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">Eardington Lift Chris Bond.jpg|The tank is removed in April 2021 (Chris Bond)</gallery>

*Original GWR plan of the station.*1884 OS map showing the position of the station in relation to the river and iron works. Unfortunately, the station lies across the join between two maps and the track detail is not very clear.*1903 OS map on which the loop and headshunt can be seen more clearly. By this date, the iron works was disused.* 1905 GWR schematic plan of Eardingtony giving siding capacity and other details. <gallerymode=packed heights=150px style="text-align:left">

<gallerymode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">