Sharpness

<googlemap lat="51.723652" lon="-2.470679" zoom="14" width="185" height="500">

51.722642, -2.470293, Sharpness

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To the Severn Bridge: Severn Railway Bridge
To Sharpness Docks Railway System: Sharpness Docks
To Berkeley Road: Saniger Lane

History

Sharpness had two railway stations. The Midland Railway branch from Berkeley Road to Sharpness opened to freight on 2nd August 1875 and the first (temporary) station opened adjacent to the docks on 1st August 1876. This closed on the 16th October 1879 and was replaced by a second station which opened on 17th October 1879 with the completion of the Severn Railway Bridge. A signal box at the station opened in 1903. Rationalisation took place in 1931 when the branch from Berkeley Road was singled, resulting in the closure of the down platform. The station signal box closed in October 1957. The station closed to passengers on 2nd November 1964 and goods on 3rd January 1966.

1960s

• 
  Pannier tank 5420 stands at Sharpness Station during the late 50s. The foundations of the 1903 signal box can be seen on the disused down platform.© Gerald Peacock
• 
  Another view. © Gerald Peacock
• 
  The track in this photo is the line to the old Severn Railway Bridge. The building towering over the station is the Severn Bridge and Railway Hotel. © Gerald Peacock

2004

• 
  The Severn Bridge and Railway Hotel still stands, but is no longer a hotel.
• 
  The current (2004) end of the Sharpness branch is close to the site of the old station on an alignment that ran to Sharpness Docks. On the 18.9.04 a Pathfinders tour took four class 37s to the branch.
• 
  37410 takes charge of the train in the driving rain.
• 
  37047 brings up the rear.

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