Disused Stations: Longdon Road Station

Longdon Road Station: Gallery 2
3 August 1952 - December 2016

This view dates from 3 August 1952 and came with the information "Longdon Road". The location is near the level crossing taking the lane to Longdon Manor over the line and the train had likely stopped while the guard closed the gates behind the train. The Shipston-on-Stour bound train is on the rising 1:258 gradient near the summit of which it will stop for wagon brakes to be pinned down for the 1:54 descent to Longdon Road. The Stop Board, not obviously visible here, was located at 98 miles 6½ chains. In the distance the connecting chord installed to permit direct running between Moreton-in-Marsh and Shipston-on-Stour can be seen curving to the right at which point the course of the original horse tramway went more or less straight ahead in the north north-west direction. What may be the abandoned trackbed of the tramway is just discernible to the left of the curve. The photographer was travelling on the branch goods train and given his vantage point it seems likely a brake van was positioned at the front of the train as well as at the rear. The locomotive, a Dean Goods, is travelling tender first and this was normal practice on the Shipston-on-Stour branch, the return to Moreton-in-Marsh therefore being smokebox first.
Photo by Geoffrey Head

Another view from 3 August 1952, this time at Longdon Road level crossing and looking towards Shipston-on-Stour. It is likely the train was heading for Shipston and the photographer hopped off just before the gates were opened . By this time only remnants of the platform building remained. Note the sections of former broad gauge bridge rail in use supporting the fence. Reuse of this redundant rail in this manner was very common and examples can still be found today.
Photo by Geoffrey Head

The same level crossing as in the previous view but this time looking towards Moreton-in-Marsh and probably on the return journey from Shipston-on-Stour, 3 August 1952. Although the connecting chord is partially obscured by the gate its steep gradient is quite evident. Dead ahead of the camera and just right of centre is the horse landing, by now becoming somewhat weed infested. When the horse landing was used, which seems to have been rare, horses were led across the goods sidings and out via a gate out of view to the right. The fencing which screened off the horse landing from the running line has also gone as have the sidings weighbridge and weigh office (hut) which had stood on the right. In the right background, just above the iron strap on the gate, is the abandoned course of the former horse tramway toward Stratford-upon-Avon. The cast iron gatepost, right, is one of the two which survive to this day but is now partially hidden between a bush and a tree. Some disagreement exists between authors regarding when exactly the sidings at Longdon Road were lifted. The precise date remains unknown but this photograph with its known date confirms the deed had taken place by August 1952.

Photo by Geoffrey Head

This damaged view, taken from near the horse landing, dates from sometime between 1941 and 1952, possibly during 1947. The running line disappears away to the right towards Stretton-on-Fosse and the two sidings are quite obviously out of use. The siding nearest the camera was the longer of the two and behind the camera continued a short distance onto the trackbed of the former horse tramway. The other siding, left, was generally used by coal merchants. The weigh office stands at extreme left and in the left background are the rarely photographed gates which gave access to the goods yard from the road. While camera position is not ideal, we do get an idea of how close the points were to the level crossing, the reason, it is believed, for the goods loading gauge being over the running line the other side of the level crossing. To do their job properly goods loading gauges need to be over a section of plain track rather than over pointwork.

Photo by JE Norris

Another trip in the brake van of the branch goods train took place on 2 July 1953. The locomotive was Dean Goods No. 2458. Here the guard is locking the level crossing gates at Longdon Road on the train's return to Moreton-in-Marsh. Beyond the level crossing can be seen the weedy platform and remains of the station building. What the sign on the left announced is not known. It appears to be wooden so was probably not a 'Do not trespass' warning. The cottage is out of view to the right.
Photo from John Mann collection

On an unknown date during the 1950s somebody else had a trip along the branch in the goods brake van. Compared to the 2 July 1953 photograph this one was clearly taken during winter or perhaps early spring. Here the guard is returning to his van having just locked the gates behind the Shipston-on-Stour bound train. The rear of the sign just beyond level crossing can be seen in the 2 July 1953 photograph. By enlarging this photograph, while unreadable its text appears to have been painted on by hand. Perhaps it informed the public that goods facilities were available at Moreton-in-Marsh.
Photo from John Mann collection

Another wintry scene from the brake van of the Shipston on Stour goods. This is still in the 1950s but at a different to time to the previous view as the trees have a little more foliage present. Again, the chord installed by the GWR is seen curving away southwards with, right, the abandoned trackbed of the former horse tramway. Just about discernible is the curvature of the tramway trackbed as it curves northwards to the former Darlingscott Junction.
Photo from John Mann collection

The overgrown remains of Longdon Road in August 1959. The line would close entirely in May of the following year. Scenes like this were common on branch lines which had been relegated to goods-only status, the reason being lack of funding to spend on what might be called cosmetic projects for which there would be little point. On the lefthand rail a slack rail joint is evident, probably the fishplate bolts needed tightening. This mattered little though, as by this time a blanket 5MPH speed limit had been imposed on the branch.

Photo from John Mann collection

Longdon Road crossing keeper’s cottage in August 1976. The camera is facing roughly south-west towards Stretton-on-Fosse and therefore Shipston-on-Stour is to the left. The level crossing was on a very pronounced hump in the road. The road was subsequently lowered somewhat, hence the elevated position of the crossing gate. The two cast iron gate posts survive to this day but that nearest the camera is not in its original position. The gate to the right led into the goods yard but the gate seen here is not original to this location, the original being a double gate. The passenger station was off to the left and its remains still exist as of 2024. See the relevant photographs taken in 2016.
Photo by Bryan Hicks copyright Anthony Hicks

In 2006 the site of the waiting shelter at the rear of the platform was still clearly visible. The brickwork has now collapsed or been removed.

The ramp at the east end of the platform was clearly visible in December 2016.
Photo by Nick Catford

Looking south east along the track bed towards the east end of Longdon Road platform in December 2016.
Photo by Nick Catford

Click here for Longdon Road Station: Gallery 3
December 2016

[Source: Darren Kitson]

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Station Name: LONGDON ROAD