Difference between revisions of "Hampton Loade"

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[[File:Hampton Loade SVR Station - geograph.org.uk - 661343.jpg|Hampton Loade|thumb|200px|right|Hampton Loade station]]
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[[File:Hampton_Loade_20170408.jpg|Hampton Loade|thumb|300px|right|Hampton Loade station]]
[[File:Hampton-Loade-Pannier-1962-09-29.jpg|thumb|200px|right|An unidentified pannier on a Northbound service in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])]]
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[[File:Hampton-Loade-Pannier-1962-09-29.jpg|thumb|300px|right|An unidentified pannier on a Northbound service in September 1962 ([[Sellick Collection]])]]
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{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+Next stations
 +
|-
 +
! Up (towards [[Kidderminster]]) !!  Down (towards [[Bridgnorth]])
 +
|-
 +
| [[Highley]] (2 miles)<br>via [[Country Park Halt]]|| [[Bridgnorth]] (4&frac12; miles)<br>via [[Eardington]] (disused)
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
Hampton Loade station has two platforms and a [[Hampton Loade signal box|signal box]], allowing trains travelling in opposite directions to pass. The next stations in the Up direction towards [[Kidderminster]] are [[Country Park Halt]] and then [[Highley]], and the next station in the Down direction is [[Bridgnorth]], where the line terminates.
+
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.
  
During the early years of SVR operation (early 1970s) Hampton Loade formed the southern terminus. Evidence of this remains in the form of the presence of the down starting signal on platform 2, which is normally only used for up trains.
+
==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 GWR era by the extension of the waiting room and provision of an extra bedroom.  
  
During periods of lighter traffic, when [[Hampton Loade signal box]] is switched out, all trains use platform 1,  adjacent to the station house.  In late 2014 the railway announced that as the station house had become vacant, plans were under way for it to be converted into SVR volunteers' accommodation.<ref>SVR(H) notice board issue NBI-H-194 "October-December 2014 Round Up", published on [http://www.svrlive.com/ SVRLive].</ref> However, this is still subject to final agreements and costings between SVR Holdings PLC and Hampton Loade Station Fund, and as such should not be considered a 'done deal' just yet.<ref>Hampton Loade Station Fund Committee minutes of meeting 22/02/15 (not available online)</ref>
+
==Hampton Loade history before preservation==
 +
Although the village was also historically known as Hampton's Loade<ref>[http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17612/17612-h/17612-h.htm Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863]</ref>, the station was called Hampton at opening, but within a month had adopted the name Hampton Loade which it has retained ever since<ref name = MarshallP101">[[Bibliography | Marshall (1989), p101]]</ref>.<br>
 +
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<ref name = MarshallP101" />.
 +
*1930s: Hampton Loade was the site of a [[Arley Camp Coach|GWR camping coach]] pre-World War 2<ref name = MarshallP101" />.
 +
*1963: Through passenger services ceased on 9 September, with through freight services ending at the end of November.
  
The crossing loop at Hampton Loade is the shortest on the railway, only able to hold a loco and 8 full-length coaches.
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|+ [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership#Traffic statistics|GWR Traffic statistics]] for Hampton Loade, selected years prior to 1939<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Nabarro (1971)]] p. 54.</ref>
 +
|-
 +
! !! colspan="3" | Passenger Traffic !! colspan="2" | Freight Traffic !!
 +
|-
 +
! Year !! Tickets issued !! Parcels despatched !! Revenue (&pound;) !! Tons received &amp; despatched !! Revenue (&pound;) !! Total revenue (&pound;)
 +
|-
 +
|1903||style="text-align:right"|9,967||style="text-align:right"|2,691||style="text-align:right"|760||style="text-align:right"|1,488||style="text-align:right"|631||style="text-align:right"|1,391
 +
|-
 +
|1913||style="text-align:right"|10,350||style="text-align:right"|3,076||style="text-align:right"|579||style="text-align:right"|4,632||style="text-align:right"|1,270||style="text-align:right"|1,849
 +
|-
 +
|1923||style="text-align:right"|9,077||style="text-align:right"|3,117||style="text-align:right"|778||style="text-align:right"|900||style="text-align:right"|599||style="text-align:right"|1,377
 +
|-
 +
|1933||style="text-align:right"|4,704||style="text-align:right"|1,183||style="text-align:right"|350||style="text-align:right"|335||style="text-align:right"|147||style="text-align:right"|497
 +
|-
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|1938||style="text-align:right"|5,116||style="text-align:right"|659||style="text-align:right"|304||style="text-align:right"|555||style="text-align:right"|201||style="text-align:right"|505
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
Hampton Loade is the base for [[Barry Railway Carriage Trust]] who are restoring [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]].  
+
==Hampton Loade in preservation==
 +
During the early years of SVR operation (1970 to 1974) Hampton Loade formed the southern terminus. Trains were until 1973 operated as 'one engine in steam' before signalling became operative.<ref>[http://www.svrsig.org.uk/svr/Frame7.htm SVR S&T website] (Retrieved 10 February 2019)</ref> 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 [[Eardington#The_Eardington_Explorer|The Eardington Explorer]] trains.
  
 +
Hampton Loade station has two platforms and a [[Hampton Loade signal box|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 Down trains (to Bridgnorth) use platform 1, adjacent to the station house, while Up trains (to Kiddrminster) use platform 2.
 +
 +
There are signals for Down trains (to Bridgnorth) to depart from either platform. However there are only signals for Down trains to arrive in the Down 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 Up platform 2. Similarly, you can only clear the signal to route an Up (Kidderminster) train through the Down platform 1 by switching the box out, and there is no Up starting signal on the Down 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 signal box|Highley]] and [[Bridgnorth signal box|Bridgnorth]] using long section tokens under [[Single line working using tokens|ETT regulations]].
 +
 +
===Facilities===
 +
The station has a small kiosk serving snacks and hot and cold drinks.  The [[Hampton Loade Station Fund Shop]] and the [[The Barry Railway Carriage Trust Sales Van | 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 SVR 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 SVR volunteers' accommodation. 2426 continued in use until mid-2016 and was succeeded by [[GWR 55 Riding/Dormitory Van|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 SVR volunteers' accommodation and mess room, subject to final agreements and costings between [[Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC]] and [[Hampton Loade Station Fund]].<ref>SVR(H) notice board issue NBI-H-194 "October-December 2014 Round Up", published on [https://www.svrlive.com/ SVRLive]</ref> 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 [[Hampton Loade Station Fund|Station Fund]] acquiring period GWR and BR(WR) furniture.<ref>Hampton Loade Station Facebook</ref>
 +
 +
==Historic maps of Hampton Loade Station==
 +
 +
*Early GWR plan showing the original single line and siding
 +
*Later GWR 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>
 +
File:GWRplanHamptonLoade early.jpg
 +
File:GWRplanHamptonLoade.jpg
 +
File:Hampton Load 1884 map.jpg | 1884
 +
File:Hampton Loade 1903 map.jpg | 1903
 +
File:Hampton Loade 1926 map.jpg | 1926
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Points of interest==
 
==Points of interest==
  
 
====Passenger Foot Ferry====
 
====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. However, the ferry has not operated since 2013, and it is not currently known when it will return to operation (March 2015).
+
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.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Loade_Ferry Wikipedia]</ref>. The SVR turned down an offer to acquire the ferry as they did not feel the Railway was the right body to operate it.<ref>SVR News 166, Summer 2009</ref> It was eventually reopened in April 2009,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/8020060.stm BBC News]</ref>  but has not operated since 2013, and it is not known if or when it will return to operation.
 +
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
File:Ferry_20090525.jpg | Hampton Loade ferry
+
File:Ferry_20090525.jpg | Hampton Loade ferry (May 2009)
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
====Paddock Garden Railway====
 
====Paddock Garden Railway====
The Paddock Garden Railway, a 32mm gauge miniature railway, is situated adjacent to the station. This may be open on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
+
The [[Paddock Garden Railway]], a 32mm gauge model railway, is situated adjacent to the station and operates every Sunday when the SVR trains are in operation, every Bank Holiday Monday and other days when certain special events are taking place.
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:Garden_Railway_20090504.jpg | The Paddock Garden Railway
 
File:Garden_Railway_20090504.jpg | The Paddock Garden Railway
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
====Barry Railway Carriage 163 ====
 +
Hampton Loade is the base for [[Barry Railway Carriage Trust]] who are restoring [[Barry Railway Carriage 163]].
 +
 +
====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, approximately 100' deep, and pumped water in to a tank in the roof of the Gent's toilets.
 +
 +
<gallery>
 +
File:Hampton Loade water pump 1.jpg | Water Pump
 +
</gallery>
 +
 +
 +
====Filming at Hampton Loade====
 +
Hampton Loade was used as a flming 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 [[Accidents|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.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/derailment-on-severn-valley-railway Rail Accident Investigation Branch] (retrieved 6 January 2017)</ref>
  
 
== Gallery ==
 
== Gallery ==
Line 34: Line 118:
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
== See Also ==
+
== See also ==
 +
*[[List of stations]]
 +
*[[Accidents]]
 +
*[[List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway]]
 +
*[[Shropshire Historic Environment Record]]
  
[[List of stations]]
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==References==
 +
<references />
  
 
== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
[http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=17 Sharpos-World photos at Hampton Loade, showing station buildings, signalbox etc.]
 
[http://www.sharpos-world.co.uk/cpg/thumbnails.php?album=17 Sharpos-World photos at Hampton Loade, showing station buildings, signalbox etc.]
 
<references />
 
<references />
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{{#coordinates:52.474014|-2.377230|[primary|][dim:1000]}}
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{{StationNavbox}}
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[[Category:Featured articles]]

Revision as of 16:22, 22 September 2019

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 history before preservation

Although the village was also historically known as Hampton's Loade[1], the station was called Hampton at opening, but within a month had adopted the name Hampton Loade which it has retained ever since[2].
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[2].
  • 1930s: Hampton Loade was the site of a GWR camping coach pre-World War 2[2].
  • 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[3]
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

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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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.

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.[7]. 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.[8] It was eventually reopened in April 2009,[9] 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.

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.

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, approximately 100' deep, and pumped water in to a tank in the roof of the Gent's toilets.


Filming at Hampton Loade

Hampton Loade was used as a flming 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]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Marshall (1989), p101
  3. Nabarro (1971) p. 54.
  4. SVR S&T website (Retrieved 10 February 2019)
  5. 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
  6. Hampton Loade Station Facebook
  7. Wikipedia
  8. SVRSevern Valley Railway News 166, Summer 2009
  9. BBC News
  10. Rail Accident Investigation Branch (retrieved 6 January 2017)

Links

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