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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
Up (towards Kidderminster) Down (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.

Contents

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 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.

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.[1] 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.[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 SVR 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 GWR 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).

  • Hampton Loade ferry

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.

  • The Paddock Garden Railway

Barry Railway Carriage 163

Hampton Loade is the base for Barry Railway Carriage Trust who are restoring Barry Railway Carriage 163.

Gallery

See also

List of stations

References

  1. ↑ SVR(H) notice board issue NBI-H-194 "October-December 2014 Round Up", 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.

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From this week's featured article
Eardington is situated on Eardington Bank, mid-way between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. In recent years, rebuilding the platform was completed in 2019 and the water tower was dismantled in 2021. Although the station no longer features in daily operations, it resumed use during gala events in 2023 more than 40 years since regular timetabled trains ceased. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks2.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

Categories of article

History of the Severn Valley Railway

Current events on the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Information about the SVRSevern Valley Railway

Miscellaneous


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Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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