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Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse Platform

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Stratford Upon Avon Racecourse's minimal facilities were built in 1933 opening on the 6th May of the same year. The nature of its use, providing racecourse visitors with access by rail during the 'flat' season, always meant that the GWR would only provide the most basic of facilities. In this instance, this meant two platforms without the structures that would normally provide toilet, waiting room and booking office.

The SMJ crossed over the GWR lines at the northern end of the platforms. With the installation of a new spur from the SMJ, forming a connection with the ex-GWR line just south of the down platform, the existing northern spur was singled. More importantly it allowed BR the opportunity to close the SMJ Stratford to Broom line together with the MR's Redditch to Evesham branch.

The traffic previously operated via these two lines was primarily iron ore from the Corby area to the South Wales Steelworks which could now be diverted via the new connection. Unfortunately the grade of iron ore was not the best and as cheaper and a better grade of iron ore became available from overseas the traffic from Corby declined.

This eventually resulted in the closure of the connection on the 1st March 1965 when freight services ceased. The Racecourse Platforms lasted barely longer as it too was a casualty of BR's decision to withdraw passengers along the route to Honeybourne, being closed on the 3rd January 1966.

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

GWR railway photo
Ref: gwr_src611 - C Maggs Collection
GWR officers on coach inspecting the 1908 works
GWR railway photo
Ref: gwr_src610 - RM Casserley
Looking north towards Stratford Upon Avon
GWR railway photo
Ref: gwr_src612 - RM Casserley
Looking south towards Honeybourne

GWR railway photo
Ref: gwr_src613 - BR
The southern connection between the SMJ and GWR