The station was originally called Howden, 'South' being added in 1922. The buildings at South Howden were demolished in the late 1970's.

The Hull Barnsley and West Riding Junction Railway and Dock Company was formed with the backing of Hull Corporation to break the monopoly on dock and rail traffic from Hull; it included a deep water dock (Alexandra Dock) to the east of Hull. The railway never reached Barnsley itself, terminating at Cudworth (junction with the Midland Railway) some four miles short having been vigorously opposed by the NER.

It was one of the last new main lines to be built, construction cost double the estimates, due in part to difficulties in cutting and tunneling through unexpectedly hard chalk in the Yorkshire Wolds near Little Weighton. Although it was constructed primarily for goods traffic to and from the new dock and the South Yorkshire coalfields, fine villa-style passenger stations were provided but though passenger traffic was sparse. In 1905 the company name was shortened to the Hull and Barnsley Railway which was absorbed into the NER on 1.1.1923 The line was gradually run down from the early 1930's and services west of South Howden were withdrawn from January 1st 1932, with all passenger services ceasing in 1955 over the remaining section into Hull. Today only the high level goods line around Hull and a

Other web sites: For a more detailed history and maps see Hull & Barnsley Railway Stock Fund web site. Route map drawn by Alan Young

To see the other stations on the Hull Barnsley & West Riding Junction Railway click on the station name: Hull Cannon Street, Beverley Road,
Springhead Halt, Little Weighton, North Cave, Wallingfen, Sandholme &
Kirk Smeaton

The following stations on this line are not featured, if you have information on the present state of these stations and photographs we would like to hear from you. North Eastrington and all stations west to Cudworth