Hampton Loade

From SVR Wiki
Revision as of 14:59, 25 July 2017 by Robin (talk | contribs) (Hampton Loade history before preservation: add traffic statistics)
Jump to: navigation, search
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

Hampton Loade station has two platforms and a signal box, allowing trains travelling in opposite directions to pass. However the crossing loop is the shortest on the railway, only able to hold a loco and 8 full-length coaches. During periods of lighter traffic, when Hampton Loade signal box is switched out, all trains use platform 1, adjacent to the station house.

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.

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. In late 2014 the railway announced that as the station house had become vacant, plans were in hand for it to be converted into SVRSevern Valley Railway volunteers' accommodation,[1] subject to final agreements and costings between Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) PLC and Hampton Loade Station Fund. This would provide a more suitable facility than GWR 2426 Toplight Full Third which had been stabled at Hampton Loade since 1988 for that purpose. 2426 continued in use until mid-2016 and was briefly succeeded by GWR Riding Van 55 until the conversion was completed.

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[2], the station was called Hampton at opening, but within a month had adopted the name Hampton Loade which it has retained ever since[3].
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[3].
  • 1930s: Hampton Loade was the site of a GWR camping coach pre-World War 2[3].
  • 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[4]
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

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 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. 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.

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.[5]

Gallery

See also

List of stations
Accidents
List of film and TV productions filmed on the Severn Valley Railway

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. Handbook to the Severn Valley Railway, by J. Randall 1863
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Marshall (1989), p101
  4. Nabarro (1971) p. 54.
  5. Rail Accident Investigation Branch (retrieved 6 January 2017)

Links

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