Hampton Loade

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Hampton Loade station (Wikimedia Commons)
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 Halt (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

Hampton Loade station has two platforms and a signal box, allowing trains travelling in opposite directions to pass.

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

During the early years of SVRSevern Valley Railway 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.

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 SVRSevern Valley Railway volunteers' accommodation.[1] However, this is still subject to final agreements and costings between SVRSevern Valley Railway Holdings PLC and Hampton Loade Station Fund, and as such should not be considered a 'done deal' just yet.[2]

The crossing loop at Hampton Loade is the shortest on the railway, only able to hold a loco and 8 full-length coaches.

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.

Hampton Loade history before preservation

Although the village was also historically known as Hampton's Loade[3], the station was called Hampton at opening, but within a month had adopted the name Hampton Loade which it has retained ever since[4].
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[4].
  • 1930s: Hampton Loade was the site of a GWRGreat Western Railway camping coach pre-World War 2[4].
  • 1963: Through passenger services ceased on 9 September, with through freight services ending at the end of November.

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. However, the ferry has not operated since 2013, and it is not currently known when it will return to operation (March 2015).

Paddock Garden Railway

The Paddock Garden Railway, a 32mm gauge model railway, is situated adjacent to the station. This may be open on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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.

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.


Gallery

See also

List of stations

References

  1. 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.
  2. Hampton Loade Station Fund Committee minutes of meeting 22/02/15 (not available online)
  3. Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Marshall (1989), p101

Links

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