Wantage railway station

Wantage
General information
LocationWantage, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire
England
Grid referenceSU398881
Platforms1
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyWantage Tramway
Key dates
1 October 1875Station opens to freight
11 October 1875Station opens to passengers
1 August 1925Station closes to passengers
22 December 1945Station closes to freight
Wantage Tramway
Left arrow Swindon – Didcot Right arrow
Wantage Road
Passenger siding
Goods yard
Oxford Lane Halt
Gypsy Lane loop
Grove Hill Halt
loop
Wantage lower yard
Wantage

Wantage railway station is a closed stone and brick built station located on Mill Street, Wantage in Oxfordshire on the Wantage Tramway line. The station closed fully in 1945 when Wantage Tramway ceased operations.

History

[edit]

Formed in 1873 to link Wantage Road station with its terminus at Wantage the line was cheaply built[1] parallel to what was then the Besselsleigh Turnpike, and now the A338.

The line was opened for goods on 1 October 1875, and to passengers on 11 October.[2] The tramway junction was to the east of Wantage Road station; interchange passengers walked under the bridge to reach the tramway yard, where the westernmost siding (parallel to the road) was reserved for passenger tramcars.[2][3]

For most of its operation the line was well used and profitable but the advent of popular road transport saw a steady decline in passengers and freight.[1] The tramway closed to passengers on 1 August 1925, and to goods on 22 December 1945.[2][4]

Former Services
Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Wantage Road
Line and station closed
  Wantage Tramway Company   Terminus

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Atterbury, P. (2006). Branch Line Britain. Marlborough: David and Charles. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7153-2416-5.
  2. ^ a b c Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (2003). Branch Line to Wantage - The Wantage Tramway. Midhurst: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-904474-25-X.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (July 2002). "X. Wantage Road". Didcot to Swindon. Western Main Lines. Midhurst: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-901706-84-2.
  4. ^ Wantage Museum


51°35′25″N 1°25′43″W / 51.5904°N 1.4286°W / 51.5904; -1.4286