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Birdingbury Station

LMS Route: Rugby to Leamington

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 The station finally closed to passengers on 15th June 1959 when the Rugby to Leamington service was withdrawn although the route remained open as a single line for cement traffic until the 1980s.

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

Looking towards Rugby with Birdinbury station's up platform and the goods yard on the left  in the distance
Ref: lnwrbird1333
Postcard
Looking towards Rugby with Birdinbury station's up platform and the goods yard on the left in the distance
Close up of Birdingbury station's 1851 structure with the four-lever 'ground' frame sited under the window on the right
Ref: lnwrbird1333a
Postcard
Close up of Birdingbury station's 1851 structure with the four-lever 'ground' frame sited under the window on the right
Close up of Birdingbury station's goods yard with the signal box on the right immediately at the end of the down platform
Ref: lnwrbird1333b
Postcard
Close up of Birdingbury station's goods yard with the signal box on the right immediately at the end of the down platform

Close up Birdingbury station's waiting room which was sited on the down platform and built using timber framing and boards
Ref: lnwrbird1333c
Postcard
Close up Birdingbury station's waiting room which was sited on the down platform and built using timber framing and boards
An early 1950s view of Birdingbury station looking towards Rugby with the goods yard and signal box still in use
Ref: lnwrbird1335
Anon
An early 1950s view of Birdingbury station looking towards Rugby with the goods yard and signal box still in use
Close up of Birdingbury station's down waiting room showing its been repainted in British Railways maroon and cream
Ref: lnwrbird1335a
Anon
Close up of Birdingbury station's down waiting room showing its been repainted in British Railways maroon and cream

View of Birdingbury station looking towards Rugby with the goods yard and its accompanying signal box removed
Ref: lnwrbird1334
Anon
View of Birdingbury station looking towards Rugby with the goods yard and its accompanying signal box removed
Close up of the station building with the booking office on the left, the general waiting room and the station master's house at the far end
Ref: lnwrbird1334a
Anon
Close up of the station building with the booking office on the left, the general waiting room and the station master's house at the far end
BR built Ivatt 2P 2-6-2T No 41227 is seen at the head of 7 54pm Rugby to Leamington service as it arrives at Birdingbury station on the last train on the last day of service
Ref: Ref: lnwrbird1754
M Mensing
BR built Ivatt 2P 2-6-2T No 41227 is seen at the head of 7 54pm Rugby to Leamington service as it arrives at Birdingbury station on the last train on the last day of service

View from an up train and looking in the direction of Leamington showing Birdingbury's down platform and waiting room seen on the left
Ref: Ref: lnwrbird1755
E Wilmshurst
View from an up train and looking in the direction of Leamington showing Birdingbury's down platform and waiting room seen on the left
View of the 6 36pm Leamington to Rugby local passenger service leaving Birdingbury propelled by BR Ivatt 2MT No 41227 at the rear
Ref: lnwrbird1758
M Mensing
View of the 6 36pm Leamington to Rugby local passenger service leaving Birdingbury propelled by BR Ivatt 2MT No 41227 at the rear
View of the 1894 drawing showing the layout of Birdingbury station and goods yard with private level crossing to the left
Ref: birdingbury_station_layout
Anon
View of the 1894 drawing showing the layout of Birdingbury station and goods yard with private level crossing to the left