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==Eardington in preservation==
===Restoration and use up to 1983===
A working party began restoring Eardington at Whitsun 1967. During that year the platform was cleared, the station building was repainted black and white, and other repairs were carried out. Eardington was in operation during the 1967 and 1968 Steam Galas, the latter seeing locomotives watered there for the first time (see below).<ref name=SVR25>SVR News 25, ''Eardington Station'', David Marchant</ref>
It was removed from regular use thereafter, variously ascribed to the platform edge becoming dangerous or due to the steep gradient, short platform, and low passenger numbers.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eardington_Halt_railway_station Wikipedia]</ref>
By 1989 platform coping at the southern end of the platform, adjacent to station building, had been removed after it collapsed. A shortened platform, 152 feet long, remained at northern end.<ref>SVR News 92 p.2, SVR News 100 p.35, SVR News 109 p.19, SVR News 122 p.44, SVR News 127 p.45, SVR News 192 p. 30</ref> The Friends held a fundraising appeal in 2014 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 1 November 2016</ref>
A project commenced during the January 2018 winter shutdown involving the partial rebuilding of the platform face.<ref>[https://svrtrust.org.uk/downloads/Platform%202018%20web%20version-1.pdf 'Platform' magazine, 2018 Issue 4, p.5]</ref> Some 8000 engineering bricks recovered from the London – Bristol mainline and donated by Kier Construction were cleaned up by the Friends, and provide a genuine connection to the GWR. The rebuild was undertaken by JSR Construction of Chelmarsh, thus keeping the work local.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/eardington-station SVRLive 'Eardington Station' 13 January 2018]</ref><ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/winter-works-2018 'SVRLive Winter Works 2018' 16 January 2018]</ref> Work was completed on 31 January 2019, giving the station a full length working platform of 300' - roughly 5 coaches - for the first time since 1984. The £41,000 project was aided by donations from the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd| Charitable Trust]] and [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited| the Guarantee Company]] of £6,500 each, with the remainder being raised by the Friends. The project was completed on time and on budget. <ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/eardington-station SVR Live February 2019]</ref><ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/bridgnorth-entertainment/2019/03/01/volunteers-on-severn-valley-railway-proud-to-unveil-new-platform/ Smith, R., 'Severn Valley Railway volunteers proud to unveil new platform', Shropshire Star, 1 March 2019] (Retrieved 3 March 2019)</ref> The rebuilt platform, which incidentally is longer than those at [[Highley]], Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth’s platform 2, can be seen in the main photograph taken during the 2018 Goods Gala. It greatly improved the appearance of the station and progressed its potential use on future gala events.
==Restored for =Returning the station to passenger use1989 to 2018 ===
It had long been the Friends' ambition to stop local trains at Eardington during Galas.
Restoration by a "small group of Bridgnorth C&W volunteers" started in 1989.<ref>SVR News 100 p.35, SVR News 127 p.45</ref> By summer 1990, Steve Downs was "unofficial stationmaster".<ref>SVR News 100, p.31</ref> It was gradually cosmetically restored by the Friends and occasionally opened to visitors on certain special events, albeit with trains not stopping, from the [[Step Back to the 1940s|War Weekend]] of 25/26 June 1994 onwards.<ref>SVR News 111 p.36</ref>
Part of the cutting behind the station collapsed in January 1991.<ref>SVR News 100 pp.18 and 36, SVR News 101 p.31</ref> Quarrying operations behind the station were blamed, and Steve Downes believes the quarry operators did the remedial work. The cutting side was re-profiled, giving the grassy slope we have today. Trees were planted at the top of the bank, to take up moisture from the soil.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=131602261894762&set=pb.100066631855473.-2207520000 Eardington Facebook 24 June 2020] (Retrieved 23 April 2024)</ref>
In 2003 it reopened for trains to call on galas and the 1940s Weekend<ref>SVR News 142, p.54/5</ref>, the first advertised trains since 1982.
On 17 April 2015, the [[The 82045 Steam Locomotive Trust|82045 Steam Locomotive Trust]] ran a special fundraising train, [[The Eardington Explorer]].<ref name=SVROnlineForum>[https://forum.svr-online.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=3298 SVR Online Forum]</ref> This ran between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, calling specially at Eardington. The Fund ran a second 'Eardington Flyer' on 22 April 2016.
In 2018 the SVR's retained stonemason Philip Chatfield fitted two stone window cills in place of crumbling stonework.<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=136824128039242&set== From 2023 ===pb.100066631855473.-2207520000 Eardington Facebook page 7 July 2020] (Retrieved 23 April 2024)</ref> By 2023 ORR had given the SVR permission in principle On 2-3 June 2018 it staged "'''Eardington 150'''" to stop trains there during Galasmark its 150th birthday. The Railway put in place station was open to the paperwork and procedures to enable this, as it had public on both days with various special attractions (trains did not been operational for many years, for stop). The event coincided with the [[Autumn Steam SVR's Goods Gala]].<ref>[https://newswww.railbusinessdailyshropshirestar.com/vulcanentertainment/attractions/2018/06/04/restored-joinsshropshire-svrrailway-galastation-linecelebrates-up150-andyears-eardington-welcomes-firstwith-arrivalsvideo-inand-41-yearspictures/ Longhorn, Danny, ' 'Vulcan' joins SVR Gala line-up, and Eardington welcomes first arrivals in 41 years', Rail Business Daily, 21 July 2023s PR on Shropshire Live website 4 June 2018] (Retrieved 25 July 202324 June 2018)</ref> For safety reasons, only local trains not longer than the station platform may stop there, and not during hours of darkness.
==Proposed =Proposal for full reopeningin 2018-19 ===
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>
In February 2019, the SVR submitted a 'Support Comment' in favour of the development to Shropshire Council.<ref>[https://pa.shropshire.gov.uk/online-applications/files/18443101FA96A89B05C78950FB71FF7B/pdf/18_05052_FUL-SUPPORT_COMMENT_SEVERN_VALLEY_RAILWAY-3514070.pdf SVR Support Comment on Shropshire Council web site]</ref> In March 2019 the Shropshire Star reported that that plans had been approved.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/property/2019/03/12/astbury-hall-plans-backed-to-transform-former-kk-downing-estate-into-luxury-leisure-resort/ ''Astbury Hall: Plans backed to transform former KK Downing estate into luxury leisure resort''] Shropshire Star (retrieved 25 May 2019)</ref>
=== Use for galas from 2023 ===
By 2023 the ORR had given the SVR permission in principle to stop trains there during Galas. The Railway put in place the paperwork and procedures to enable this, as it had not been operational for many years, for the [[Autumn Steam Gala]].<ref>[https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/vulcan-joins-svr-gala-line-up-and-eardington-welcomes-first-arrivals-in-41-years/ Longhorn, Danny, ' 'Vulcan' joins SVR Gala line-up, and Eardington welcomes first arrivals in 41 years', Rail Business Daily, 21 July 2023] (Retrieved 25 July 2023)</ref> For safety reasons, only local trains not longer than the station platform may stop there, and not during hours of darkness.
==Eardington siding==
Opposite the station platform is 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 original siding at Eardington , which pre-dated the opening of the station itself,<ref group="note">The 1867 service timetable refers to trains stopping at Eardington Siding. No detailed OS map appears to exist showing the layout of the station area between the opening of the line in 1862 and the station itself in 1868. It is therefore not totally clear whether there was a separate goods loop/siding from opening, or whether trains simply stopped on the running line. The siding was certainly present after that time, although the Ground Frames appear to date to 1893 when the name plates were cast; presumably the siding was accessed by simple points levers prior to that time.</ref> had been removed by BR in 1964 after closure of the line, but was reinstated in the early days of the SVR. In summer 1972 under Sir Gerald Nabarro's chairmanship, contractors began work to convert the siding into a passing loop at the then not insignificant cost of £8,000.<ref group="note">£8,000 in 1972 equates to around £135,000 in 2023. For context, the whole section of the railway between Bridgnorth and Alveley had cost only £25,000 just two years earlier.</ref> The loop was intended to accommodate a locomotive and 10 coaches, with a new concrete block-faced platform being built incorporating the cattle dock at the south end. A small signal box on the site of the cattle dock was to be added later. These works would have occupied most of the then car park area, so the small field above the station building was partially levelled to form a new car park which would have been accessed from the road at the north end.<ref name=SVR25/> Later that year, during preparation for commissioning the signalling between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade, an extra token machine was installed in [[Bridgnorth signal box]] to cater for the Eardington loop.<ref>SVR News 26, ''Signal & Telecommunications Department Notes''</ref>
The installation of the passing loop was seen as part of a plan by [[Sir Gerald Nabarro]] to abandon Bridgnorth,<ref group="note">Although officially described as a passing loop, discontented members believed it was actually intended as a run round loop at what would become the northern terminus following the closure of Bridgnorth.</ref> 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/> However by May 1973 Nabarro had stepped down from the SVR(H) and Guarantee Company Boards. An EGM was held that month to consider the impact of the proposed [[Bridgnorth Bypass Bridge|Bridgnorth bypass]]. [[Richard Dunn]] advised shareholders and members via SVR News that "''I have no reason to reverse my opinion of 1968 that Eardington was not a suitable permanent terminus to the line, owing to the difficulties of road access and inadequate parking space.''"<ref>SVR News 27, ''The Proposed Bridgnorth By-pass'', R.H. Dunn</ref>
In early 1974 the Board reported that "''The circumstances under which Eardington loop was planned have so altered that it is unlikely to be needed. It is proposed to convert it to a siding, controlled from a ground frame at the south points, with the proposed platform area levelled off to form a loading bank and car park''."<ref>SVR News 31, ''Boardroom Notes'', David Mellor</ref> 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>
It was around this time the pre-preservation loading gauge on the goods siding, and the cattle dock on the loading dock, were both removed. Both feature in early preservation images.
In early preservation items of rolling stock were stored there before being restored to use, including carriages [[GNR 2701 Composite Corridor | 2701]], [[BR 4399 Tourist Standard Open |4399]], [[LMS Brake Third Corridor 26880 | 26880]] and [[LMS 27270 Third Open |27270]]; and [[Regent Oil & Texaco 345 Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon | Regent Oil & Texaco Aviation Fuel Tank Wagon 345]]. Since that time the siding is regularly used for storing Permanent Way rolling stock.
==Current and former points of interest==
=== Goods Lock Up ===
A number of stations on the Severn Valley branch were provided with a Goods Lock Up, a small corrugated iron hut where parcels and other merchandise traffic could be securely stored while awaiting collection or delivery. Lockups were generally built to a standard GWR design, although with many detail differences. Lengths also varied, with 10ft, 14ft and 20ft being commonplace.
The Goods Lock Up on Platform 1 at Hampton Loade is pictured below. A similar Goods Lock Up can also be seen at [[Arley#Goods Lock Up|Arley]] where it serves as the station shop.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Hampton_Loade_Goods_Lock_Up_20160218.jpg|Hampton Loade Goods Lock Up
</gallery>
At one time, Eardington also had a similar lockup. It was later removed, probably after the station became unstaffed in 1949, although the footprint of the building was still visible in the 1950s. It was covered by a landslip when part of the cutting behind the station collapsed in January 1991 (see above), but the site has now been excavated by volunteers with the intention of rebuilding a replica Goods Lock Up in due course.<ref>Posters and photographs on display at Eardington, April 2024 (general history and replacement project)</ref><ref>SVR News 100 pp.18 and 36, SVR News 101 p.31 (cutting collapse date)</ref>
===Ground Frame hut===
Access to the original siding was by two ground frames installed in 1893.<ref group="note">Steve Downs' notes include the information that the name plates for Eardington North Ground Frame and Eardington South Ground Frame were cast on 28 August 1893; the installation date was presumably shortly after that time.</ref> The South Frame remained in use until closure and was enclosed in a hut, similar to a small signal box, with windows on three sides to improve sighting. The hut was later acquired by the Preservation Company at the fledgling Welshpool and Llanfair Light Railway and erected at Castle Caereinon station as a passenger shelter. After that use ended, the W&LLR made contact to ask if Eardington would like it returned. The hut was inspected on 11 March 2010 and subsequently dismantled and transported to Eardington where it awaits re-erection<ref name=Miscellany>''"Eardington Station – A Miscellany." Text and Photos – Steve Downs.'' Information on public display at Eardington, April 2024</ref>.
===Locomotive watering facility===
The original station served as little more than a halt and therefore had no watering facilities. A water tank for Eardington was acquired by the [[Severn Valley Railway Society]] from the Netherton Goods Branch at Withymoor, Netherton (near Dudley) in the summer of 1967 and transported to Eardington. It was installed in time to be used for the 1968 Steam Gala. It was assisted in part by school parties from the The Royal School Wolverhampton under its history teacher, Brian Kingshott.<ref>Robert Betts and Nick Neath in Unofficial SVR Facebook post 22 April 2021</ref> The decision to install the SVR’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.
Unused for some years and heavily perforated, the water tank was removed on 22 April 2021 using the [[Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane]]. The intention was to assess whether the tank is reusable elsewhere and, if the tank could be saved, a low priority project would replace the [[Bewdley#Water_towers|inauthentic LNWR pattern tank at Bewdley]] to create a more Great Western feel.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmay21 Branch Lines May 2021]</ref> {{As of|2024}} it is still in the station yard.
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left">
Eardington Lift Chris Bond.jpg|The tank is removed in April 2021 (Chris Bond)
===Lamps===
An electricity supply has never been installed. The Friends have developed a collection of vintage [http://tilleylamp.co.uk/ Tilley lamps] with a railway provenance, to light the station after dark when open for galas and special occasions.<ref name="SVROnlineForum"/> Eardington is the only remaining station in the UK that is lit entirely by oil lamps. The permission granted in 2023 by the ORR is conditional upon trains not stopping after darkness. In March 2021 the SVR’s YouTube channel included a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxMR0_dpuWk ''Eardington’s hidden gem – lighting the way for heritage rail on the Severn Valley Railway''] featuring volunteer lampman Phil Harris. The permission granted <youtube>bxMR0_dpuWk</youtube> In 2023 a new post and oil-lit and 'Eardington' lettered luminaire was commissioned opposite the lamp hut, to illuminate the foot crossing<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=688938810003841&set=a.429830885914636 Eardington SVR Facebook post 14 December 2023]</ref>.Sadly, in 2023 by April 2024 two of the Tilley lamps were amongst a large number of signs, lamps and lanterns stolen, which were then added to the ORR is conditional upon trains not stopping after darkness[https://www.heritage-ops.org.uk/stolen-items Heritage Railway Stolen Items Register].<ref>[https://twitter.com/svrofficialsite/status/1780580905645429159 SVR X (formerly Twitter) post 17 April 2024]</ref>
===Former Bath Road turntable===
An electrically powered Ransom Rapier 65'3" standard-pattern over-girder turntable, originally from Bristol (Bath Road) depot, is stored at Eardington. It is intended for the [[Bridgnorth Turntable|Bridgnorth turntable project]].This film shows the turntable's removal from Bristol and transport to Eardington. <youtube>3Hnh0LJC_Qc</youtube>
===Pannier Tank boiler===
For some years from the winter of 1978-79 a GWR Collett 5700 class 0-6-0PT boiler was stored on the platform. This came from [[GWR Pannier 3612]], which was dismantled at the station<ref>SVR News 50.</ref>.
===Weighbridge===
Eardington also had a weighbridge, sited near the main gates. Only the brickwork of the pit survives<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=132473445140977&set=pb.100066631855473.-2207520000 Eardington Facebook post 26 June 2020] (Retrieved 23 April 2024)</ref>.
===Swindon works traverser===
In 1978, SVR volunteers, working with the [[Manpower Services Commission]], dismantled and removed a traverser from Swindon Works. This was then stored at Eardington to be used as part of a planned expansion of the carriage works at Bewdley. The plans were abandoned when the much larger [[Carriage Repair Works | goods shed at Kidderminster]] became available in 1985, and the traverser was scrapped.
==TV and film==
Steve Downes, the Station Master, is a member of acoustic trio 'Whalebone'. A music video of the Simon & Garfunkle classic 'The Boxer' was filmed at the station in 2011<ref>Heritage Railway 6 July 2011, p. 22</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FgtP7tpg1A The Boxer, Whalebone, music video on YouTube (2011)]</ref>.
==Model==
Tunnel Lane Model Railways produced 7mm 3D printed models of the station building and lamp hut, offered for sale at the 2023 O Gauge Get Together event<ref>[https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=290153220438096&set=a.134519002668186 SVR O Gauge Get Together Facebook post.2 October 2023] (Retrieved 13 October 2023)</ref>
==Eardington history before preservation==
*18641862: A siding connection to Lower Forge was proposed but never builtFrom opening, Eardington had no passenger facilities. Eardington Siding served the nearby 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.In 1864 a siding connection to Lower Forge was proposed but never built. The [[Timetable: Severn Valley Branch 1867|1867 service timetable]] showed the siding was served by two daily goods workings in each direction, with five minutes allowed for loading and unloading. <ref name=Miscellany/><ref name = "Marshall103" />*1868: Eardington Station was opened by the GWR on 1 June 1868, some six years after the opening of the Severn Valley Railway.<ref name = SVR Guide”SVRGuide>SVR Souvenir Guide, Ninth Edition</ref>
*1893: The station platform was extended.<ref name = "Marshall103" />
*1899: The ironworks closed.<ref name ="Marshall103" />
*1922: [[SVR staff in 1922#Severn Valley Railway (Kidderminster to Bridgnorth)|GWR staff records for 1922]] show the station had a staff of 2, the station master and a Gatewoman.
*1931: The station lost its station master, coming under the control of [[Highley]].<ref name=SVRNews201>SVR News 201 'Eardington News' (Steve Downs)</ref>
*1949: BR reduced the station to unstaffed status after 1 April 1949.<ref name = SVR Guide” SVRGuide/>
*1952: The first noted instance of the station being referred to as "Eardington Halt" in a BR timetable.<ref name=SVRNews201/>
*1959: The goods loop was reduced to a siding, accessed from the south end only.<ref name = SVR Guide” SVRGuide/> The station was still called "Eardington" in the [[Timetable: Severn Valley and Tenbury Lines 1959|1959 BR Working Timetable]].*1963: The station closed when passenger traffic ceased on 9 September 1963.<ref name = SVR Guide” SVRGuide/>*1964: The former goods loop siding was completely removed.<ref name = SVR Guide” SVRGuide/>
{| class="wikitable"
File:Eardington_Platform_20170317.jpg|An old bicycle on the platform next to milepost 147¾
File:Candleshoe screenshot Eardington.jpg| 1977 [[Candleshoe]] image filmed from the [[Overbridge at north end of Eardington siding |Eardington Road Bridge]] featuring [[4566]] and three of the SVR's GWR carriages
3612 remains.jpg| Ex-GWR 0-6-0PT 3612's boiler on Eardington platform, minus chimney, frames, cab roof and tanks in the yard
</gallery>
*[[List of stations]]
*[[Shropshire Historic Environment Record]]
*[[Models of the Severn Valley Railway]]
==Notes==