Much Wenlock railway station | |
|---|---|
 Postcard stamped 1914 | |
| General information | |
| Location | Much Wenlock, Shropshire England |
| Coordinates | 52°35′57″N 2°33′25″W / 52.599249°N 2.556918°W |
| Grid reference | SJ624003 |
| Platforms | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Status | Disused |
| History | |
| Original company | Much Wenlock and Severn Junction Railway |
| Pre-grouping | Great Western Railway |
| Post-grouping | Great Western Railway |
| Key dates | |
| 1 February 1862 | Opened |
| 19 April 1866 | resited |
| 23 July 1962 [1] | Closed |
The original Much Wenlock railway station was opened 1 February 1862 by the Much Wenlock and Severn Junction Railway, linking Buildwas with Much Wenlock. The line later formed part of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway and was, for much of its working life, operated by the Great Western Railway.
The original, but temporary, dead-ended station - whose buildings are now the club house of Much Wenlock Bowling Club.[2] - was replaced by the through station illustrated - about ¼ mile (ca. 400 metres) further east on 19 April 1866[3] for the extension to Marsh Farm Junction (Craven Arms)).
The latter station was built at the gates of the Games Field where the Wenlock Olympian Games were held. The buildings were commented on by Pierre de Coubertin when on his visit to the 1890 games, he likened them to "a delightful cottage".[4]
The passenger service to Craven Arms was withdrawn from 31 December 1951,[5] but the service to Wellington continued until withdrawn from 23 July 1962.[6]
- ^ Railway Magazine, August 1962
- ^ Beale, Catherine (2011). Born Out of Wenlock, William Penny Brookes and the British origins of the modern Olympics. DB Publishing, Derby. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-85983-967-6.
- ^ Railway Passenger Stations by M.Quick page 327
- ^ Born Out of Wenlock, William Penny Brookes and the British origins of the modern Olympics. p. xi(plates).Caption to picture of the station.
- ^ The Times, 31 December 1951
- ^ Railway Magazine, August 1962