Birdingbury Station
Birdingbury Station, opened on 1st March 1851 to both
passenger and goods traffic, was with Marton one of the two intermediate
stations on the original single line route from Rugby to Leamington. The access
to the station was from Bourton Lane located on the up line with the up
platform accommodating the original brick built building which was home to the
booking office, waiting room, toilets and the station masters house.
The goods yard was accessed from the same lane with a
driveway that also led to a private level crossing immediately to the Rugby end
of the platforms which remained in existence until 1893 when it was removed.
The driveway was also private property although according to R Preston Hendry
and R Powell Hendry in their book 'LMS Stations' there was a right of way
granted to the LNWR to all vehicles 'except those propelled by steam'.
Unusually the goods yard closed before passenger services
with goods traffic ceasing on 3rd August 1953 the sidings being lifted shortly
after closure. The station's down platform was opened on 28th January 1884 at
the same as the line was doubled between Rugby and Marton. The signal box was
located opposite the goods yard on the Rugby side of the down (Leamington) line
and became redundant with the removal of goods facilities in 1953. The station
finally closed to passengers on 15th June 1959 when the Rugby to Leamington
service was withdrawn although the route remained open as a single line for
cement traffic until the 1980s.
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