Arley railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Arley
code =


caption = GWR 5101 Class at Arley station
manager = Severn Valley Railway
locale = Arley
borough = Shropshire
platforms = 2
years = 1 February 1862
events = Station opens
years1 = 9 September 1963
events1 = Station closes
years2 = 18 May 1974
events2 = Station reopens on heritage line

Arley railway station is a station on the Severn Valley Railway heritage line in Worcestershire, situated just over the River Severn from the village of Upper Arley; a footbridge crosses the river to link the station to the village. The station is about one kilometre north of Victoria Bridge, on which the SVR crosses the River Severn.

History

The station was built along with the line in 1862. The first signal box was built in 1883, and the platform built to accommodate six coach trains. The local transport needs were met quite adequately, as the local roads and paths were, to say the least, primitive. Passenger trade was busiest with summer holiday visitors, and Arley was home to a small goods yard.

Opened on the original Severn Valley Line run from the outset by the Great Western Railway, the station stayed with that company during the Grouping of 1923, passing on to the Western Region of British Railways during the nationalisation of 1948. It was then closed by the British Transport Commission.

Although thought by some people to have been closed as part of the Beeching axe in 1963 its planned closure pre-dated his report. The passing loop was taken out, sidings cut up and platforms removed, with only Alveley coal traffic surviving. In 1969 the line through Arley finally became disused.

Preservation

When the line was reopened by preservationists working up from Bridgnorth in 1974, work got underway to restore Arley to its former glory. The main railway building was in relatively good condition and was totally renovated. The platforms were rebuilt and track re-laid. The old signal box having been demolished, a replacement of non-GWR design one was reclaimed and brought in from Yorton, near Whitchurch, Shropshire, and connected to signalling equipment.

Arley station has been used as a filming location for a number of films and TV programmes, such as the BBC sitcom "Oh, Doctor Beeching!" and " The Box of Delights".

References

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Further reading

* "The Severn Valley Railway at Arley", Barrie Greens ISBN 1-874103-23-2

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