EPW033731 ENGLAND (1930). Stockbridge railway station, Stockbridge, 1930

The Vine Inn.

Absolutely nothing is left now of the station, bridge and sidings that made this connection between the Winchester to Salisbury A30 and railway such a prominent stop on the line. It would have been well used in Victorian and Edwardian times by those visiting Stockbridge Racecourse close to what is now Danebury Hill Fort. Establishments like Lillies (Lillie Langtree) reflect this period. The station was demolished in 1967 to make way for the new A30/A3057 roundabout.

A fine very example of the no-facing point formation, that for many years characterised the entrance to sidings and goods yards on Britain's railways. All train movements on the mainline ran 'through' the points, a reflection of early safety regulations as a result of derailments on 'facing' points. This regulation caused a certain inflexibility with operating yards as they could only be entered by a train being pushed in. A little piece of operating rule that was not found on railways across Europe and north America, where it was much more common to have loops so trains could run straight into sidings, the facing points having suitable locks fitted for safety.

Stockbridge signal box

A nicely filled, although rather inactive, goods yard with a range of wagons, mostly opens, with many sheeted. There are several horse boxes distinguished by the roof vent over the grooms compartment at one end. A couple of cattle trucks wait in the short siding next to the cattle dock. There seems to be an absence of coal wagons, but then it is July.

The White Hart public house.