Station Name: KELVEDON LOW LEVEL
[Source: Darren Kitson)]
Kelvedon Low Level Station: Gallery 2
1937 - 1950
In 1937 Class J68 No. 7045 was caught in repose inside the engine shed. This view offers a good idea of the construction of the engine shed. On the right the coaling stage, if it could be called a 'stage', was then fairly new and predated the wood store, bottom right. The wood was used when lighting up locomotives. Kelvedon shed, a sub shed of Colchester, had two locomotive crews working an early and late turn, Colchester shed providing relief men as necessary. Locomotives were coaled and watered overnight by the coalman. The early turn crew would have booked on several hours before they were due to take the first train of the day out, because of the time required to prepare steam locomotives. The gas lamp on the right was of the suspended mantle type and believed to have been the only gas light at the Low Level station. Its supply was likely piped from the main line station, a fairly simple job.
Photo
from John Mann collection
This undated view looking towards the Low Level terminus offers a a good view of the double slip at the bottom of the incline from the main line. The hut on the right is something of a mystery. Judging from photographs it was only present during the inter-war period and is said to have contained a weighing machine but the foot of the incline would seem to be an odd position for such equipment. A 22cwt weighing machine was available at the main line goods yard. At the bottom of the photograph the track on the right was the running line and that on the left the carriage siding.
Photo
from Jim Lake collection
This somewhat dilapidated Great Eastern Railway enamel sign was fixed to the footbridge tower on the Up platform of Kelvedon main line station. How many of these signs existed is not known although one would expect to have found another on the Down platform with fingers pointing accordingly, in other words angled upwards to direct people over the footbridge. This sign has been preserved at the East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel & Wakes Colne station,
Photo
from John Mann collection
The sign seen in the previous photograph now safe in the museum at Chappel & Wakes Colne station. How many of these existed is not known but close examination of damage to the enamel tells us this is the same sign in both photographs. At the bottom, partly in view are the running-in boards from Inworth and Tiptree.
Photo
frrom East Anglia Railway Museum
 The forecourt of Kelvedon main line station on an unknown date in LNER days. The Thornycroft lorry, far left, carries the LNER 'Hawkeye' logo which was introduced in 1932, therefore giving an earliest possible date. The stationmaster's house stands on the right, the Kelvedon stationmaster being responsible for the entire Kelvedon & Tollesbury Light Railway. Through the gap and in the background can be seen the footbridge to the Low Level station and the water tower. The engine shed was to the right of the water tower but is here hidden from view by the house. The rather makeshift-looking steps to the station entrance look as though they were provided as an afterthought, perhaps replacing a conventional doorstep. The upper level is well worn and one wonders how many people tripped or slipped on these steps. This station building was demolished in the 1980s and replaced by a new structure which although perfectly fit for purpose resembles the entrance to a supermarket. The lattice footbridge, partly visible to the right of the station building was once roofed. It has long
since been replaced.
Photo
from Duncan Chandler collection
An interesting aerial view from 1946, looking north. Clearly visible is the main line station with its extended Down platform, as are both main line goods yards and the walkway to the Low Level station. The stationmaster's house is the building to the right of the station footbridge. The Low Level station would not be easy to see were it not for the presence of the waiting shelter and engine shed. The light railway can be seen curving away towards Feering Halt and on the carriage siding is what appear to be four tank locomotives. These may have been used during the war on the Tollesbury Pier extension and might have been moved to Kelvedon pending onward movement. However, and as interesting as this suggestion may be, the photograph is too unclear to be certain. Right of centre is Kelvedon gasworks and the gaggle of buildings to its right are the omnibus garage of F. C. Moore Ltd. Meandering its way in from top left is the River Blackwater. It rises near Sewards End, Saffron Walden at which point it is known as the River Pant until Bocking, near Braintree, where it becomes the Blackwater.
Photo
from Brian Jenkins
A Class B17 4-6-0 passes with an Up express passenger train on the main line. The tender is lettered 'BRITISH RAILWAYS' which tells us the photograph was taken shortly after Nationalisation which occurred in 1948. After the Kelvedon & Tollesbury was reduced to a goods line as far as Tudwick Road in 1951 all track at Kelvedon Low Level station was removed including the double slip seen here, the line then made plain track from the connection with the main line. With this alteration the Home signal, seen here directly ahead of the camera, was replaced by a then-still-modern upper quadrant signal on a metal post. The replacement signal then, of course, controlled the junction with the main line rather than entry into the former Low Level station.
Photo
from Jim Lake collection
In early British Railways days ex-Wisbech & Upwell car E60461 sits at Kelvedon in the company of ex-Stoke Ferry Brake Third E64462. The numbers are still the LNER style but with the 'E' added. A fair view is offered of the drop plate which was used by conductor guards to move through the train to issue tickets. The plate is seen here in its retracted position. Also visible are the hinged gate and grab handles provided for guards. Passengers, if any, were not permitted to ride on the verandahs of these cars. The Great Eastern main line is in the background.
Photo
by John Mann collection
Another scene from early British Railways days showing ex-Stoke Ferry Brake Third E62262 and nearest the camera ex-Wisbech & Upwell E60462 waiting at the platform.
Photo
from Jim Lake collection
On Saturday 29 July 1950 Class J67 No. 68616 has arrived at Kelvedon with the 12.50pm ex Tollesbury. The train formation is quite typical of a mixed working by this time; an ex-Stoke Ferry brake third, an ex-Wisbech bogie car, the Gresley van and the goods brake van. Obviously there were no goods vehicles to be returned to Kelvedon on this occasion.
Photo
from Ken Nunn collection
An undated view, but probably from 1950, of Kelvedon Low Level. The plane track alongside the platform can be seen to comprise the short, twenty feet, lengths of rail so common on this line. Right of centre can be seen the incline connecting the branch with the Up Main line.
Photo
from Ken Nunn collection
Click here for Kelvedon Low Level Station: Gallery 3
1950 - Last Day (5 May 1951)
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updated: Sunday, 05-Jan-2025 17:11:04 CET |
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An undated view showing the branch's goods brake van lurking in the background. It will be waiting for a locomotive to take it up to the main line goods yard for collection of any wagons destined for the branch. Note that despite the presence of the signal box, as it was referred to as, the points in the foreground are worked by a local lever. The signal box is said to have closed 'by 1957', the keyword being 'by', but without knowing the date of this photograph it is impossible to judge further.
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