Aston Cantlow Halt

GWR Route: Hatton to Bearley and Alcester Branch

A station in the vicinity of Aston Cantlow had been proposed in June 1874, but had never been constructed. However when the line reopened after WW1 the residents of Aston Cantlow persuaded the GWR that a small station would be a viable proposition. Thus a standard GWR halt comprising a simple 200ft long by 8ft wide wooden platform with a corrugated iron waiting room was constructed alongside the branch line and opened on 18th December 1922. There was no sidings or goods facilities, but lighting was provided.

The halt was unstaffed and for administrative purposes was under the control of Great Alne. The Halt was closed when the line closed at the start of WW2, reopened again briefly in 1941, but finally closed on 1st March 1951. After a short period when the line was used for storage the track was removed and the site was reclaimed by nature.

Robert Ferris

Select an image below to view the larger version with accompanying text:

Ref: gwrac1 P Hopkins View of the single line halt showing the wooden platform and small corrugated iron shelter

Ref: gwrac1a P Hopkins A close up showing the timber construction adopted for the Halt platform

Ref: gwrac2 P Hopkins View looking towards Bearley showing mainly privately owned coal wagons 'as far as the eye can see'

Ref: gwrac792 John Platt Collection View of the halt looking towards Bearley showing the short raised footpath

Ref: gwrac793 John Platt Collection Ground level view of the Halt looking towards Great Alne showing the timber framing

Ref: gwrac794 John Platt Collection GWR Collett class 48xx 0-4-2T engine No 4801 with an auto trailer approaches Aston Cantlow Halt

Ref: gwrac795 John Platt Collection Aston Cantlow Halt viewed from the over bridge in the late 1930s

Ref: gwrga812 Anon Looking towards Great Alne and Alcester with both crippled open wagons and vans stretching in the distance

Ref: gwrga813 Anon View showing the platform collapsed following years of neglect with nature starting to reclaim the site

Ref: gwrac464 Anon View from the overbridge adjacent to the future Aston Cantlow Halt showing the bare trackbed