Henley in Arden - Old Station
Henley in Arden was originally connected to the GWR's
Birmingham and Oxford route originating from Lapworth via a short single branch
line just over 3 miles in length. It was first mooted in 1861 as a mixed gauge
line but work stopped due to the lack of funding when only half of the line was
complete. It remained in this state until the mid-1890s becoming overgrown
until a new company, the Birmingham and Henley in Arden Railway Company, was
formed under GWR influence to complete the project.
Opening on 6th June 1894 the branch was taken in to
ownership by the GWR on 1st July 1900, a month before the GWR took over the
Birmingham and North Warwickshire Railway Company as part of its strategy to
open a new main line to the West of England. The opening of the North
Warwickshire line in 1908 made the branch superfluous although passenger
traffic from Lapworth continued until the First World War intervened. As with
many little used branch lines across the country the track was lifted for reuse
on the behind the lines in France.
Passengers services officially ceased on 1 January 1915
although the line that had been extended from the 'Old Station's' goods shed to
the North Warwickshire line remained and was used until closure on 31st
December 1962. There was also a single road engine shed which served the branch
line. Having opened with the branch line in 1894 it also closed with the line
when track was lifted in 1915.
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