Rugby Station

LMS Route: Rugby to Wolverhampton
LMS Route: Rugby to Leamington
LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

The first railway station to be built in Rugby was a wooden temporary structure located around half a mile to the west of the present station. It opened in 1838 when the London and Birmingham Railway was constructed. This station lasted only a few years. When a junction was made with the Midland Counties Railway in 1840 a new station was built nearer the present station site although still slightly to the west. This second station was effectively managed by two companies - the London and North Western Railway and the Midland Railway - and for this reason grew up in a haphazard fashion. It was at first no more than a temporary wooden structure, but was rebuilt in brick in 1850. This station consisted of platforms at each side of the track with one bay platform. The platforms were rather low and passengers complained of having to perform an "acrobatic feat" to board trains. The station was at the centre of a busy junction and often saw chaotic scenes. It featured, only lightly disguised, in Charles Dickens's story Mugby Junction.

The second station lasted until the 1880s, when a new line from Rugby to Northampton was built, and it was replaced by the current structure which opened in 1885. This station, which exists today, albeit modified, consists of one large island platform with tracks on both sides and bay platforms at each end. The platform is accessed from a tunnel at road level and a ramp leading to the platforms. The station was noted for an unusual feature, the 'scissor junction' which allowed two trains to be in one platform at the same time. The scissor junction was an X shaped junction which allowed one train to pass another one already in the platform, and call into the same platform ahead of it, and allowed the train to the rear to pull out of the station. For this reason the station has one of the longest platforms of any British railway station. The scissor junctions remained in use until the railway was electrified in the 1960s. At its height, as well as the West Coast Main Line, Rugby station served railway lines to Leicester, Leamington Spa, and Peterborough via Market Harborough. In the 1960s all but the West Coast line were closed as part of the Beeching Axe.

Additional pages divided on different thematic subjects are available by clicking on the links below:

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Rugby's Northern Approaches

Ref: lnwrrm866 EHC Shorto View of the northern approach to the station with the gantry controlled by Rugby's original No 7 signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm852 Weston Collection View of the triple junction to Leamington, Birmingham via Coventry and stations north on the West Coast

Ref: lnwrrm852a Weston Collection Close up showing the layout of the triple junction with the three former LNWR lines to the north of Rugby station

Ref: lnwrrm848 Weston Collection Looking north from Rugby No 4 signal cabin towards the long wooden footbridge which traversed the railway

Ref: lnwrrm848a Weston Collection Close up showing the main yard on the left with a mix of both covered wagons and mineral wagons in the yard

Ref: lnwrrm848b Weston Collection Close up showing Rugby No 5 signal cabin with an ex-LMS 4-6-0 'Black 5' on an up express to its left

Ref: lnwrrm848c Weston Collection Close up showing BTH's works and the exchange sidings which were sited on the up side of the main line

Ref: lnwrrm861 AW Flowers View looking south towards Rugby station from the overbridge carrying the railway across Newbold Road

Ref: lnwrrm861a AW Flowers Close up view showing the goods yard, full of mainly covered vans, together with LNWR somersault signals

Ref: lnwrrm861b AW Flowers Close up view of an ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F locomotive heading a down goods as it passes under the colour light signals

Ref: lnwrrm887 WoW A 1930s view looking towards the station from the footbridge with the goods yard on the right

Ref: lnwrrm748a Anon Close up showing the lineside structures at the northern end of the platforms with the footbridge in the distance

Ref: lnwrrm873a Colour Rail Close up showing in colour Rugby's No 5 signal cabin, the BTH factory and the surrounding railway scene

Ref: lnwrrm872 Anon Looking south from the wooden bridge towards the station with Rugby's No 5 signal cabin on the right

Ref: lnwrrm872a Anon Close up showing the exchange sidings in front of the BTH works and the factory's overhead crane

Ref: lnwrrm874 Anon An early 20th century view of the northern approach to Rugby station and on the right its goods yard

Ref: lnwrrm874a Anon Close up showing the sidings in the goods yard which contain a good mix of covered wagons and vans

Ref: lnwrrm874b Anon Close up showing on the left Rugby's No 5 signal cabin and the signals covering the approach to the up lines

Ref: lnwrrm879 WoW Looking across the northern approach towards the BTH works showing the footbridge and goods trains

Ref: lnwrrm880 WoW BTH electrical engineering factory as seen from the footbridge with an advert on the roof for Mazda Lamps

Ref: lnwrrm881 Postcard Magnificent view of the northern approach to Rugby station from the North West was taken just after grouping

Ref: lnwrrm881a Postcard Close up of the MR Leicester line crossing over Hunters Lane overbridge with Rugby's sidings in the foreground

Ref: lnwrrm881b Postcard Close up of an oil wagon being fly shunted with the engine paused by the offices and huts of the yard staff

Ref: lnwrrm881c Postcard Close up showing the yard's shunting hump in the foreground and the Midland signal box standing behind

Ref: lnwrrm881d Postcard Close up of the front of the train being reversed over the hump and the wooden bridge that crossed the railway

Ref: lnwrrm881e Postcard Close up of a selection of wagons on view which is of great interest as many of them are quite freshly painted

Ref: lnwrrm2547 N Parkhouse View of the remains of the former Midland Railways shed at Rugby with the main train shed on the right

Ref: lnwrrm2476 WF Carfrae Looking north to Nuneaton with Rugby's gas works towering over the railway on the left of the photograph

Ref: lnwrrm2535 AWV Mace View of an unknown ex-LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee class locomotive on an up express passing Rugby's up exchange sidings

Ref: lnwrrm2535a AWV Mace Close up showing the timber office and hut located at the southern entrance to Rugby's down sidings

Ref: lnwrrm2535b AWV Mace Close up showing the water column located on Rugby's up exchange sidings with another yard in the background

Ref: lnwrrm2421 IJ Williams View from the footplate of ex-LMS 2-8-0 No 48751 of Rugby No 5 signal cabin with the station seen in the distance

Ref: lnwrrm2476a WF Carfrae Close up showing the Permanent Way gang preparing the ballast before the sleepers and rails are laid

Ref: lnwrrm2476b WF Carfrae Close up showing two of the timber buildings erected for use by the staff shunting the down sidings

Ref: lnwrrm2431 IJ Williams View from the footplate of ex-LMS 2-8-0 No 48751 of track maintenance being carried out near No 7 signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm2431a IJ Williams Close up showing both upper quadrant signals and colour light signals, the latter used for controlling the main lines

Ref: lnwrrm2426 S Gwinnett View looking north from Rugby's original No 7 signal cabin located on the up side of the line to Stafford

Ref: lnwrrm2426a S Gwinnett Close up of the English Electric works on the left and the junction of the Leamington branch on the right

Ref: lnwrrm2426b S Gwinnett Close up of the junction with the Leamington branch with the lines to Birmingham and Stafford on the right

Ref: lnwrrm2437 IJ Williams View looking north from the station side of Newbold bridge towards Rugby's second No 7 signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm2440 IJ Williams Looking north towards Rugby No 5 signal cabin and the wooden bridge carrying pedestrians over the railway

Ref: lnwrrm2440a IJ Williams Close up of the colour light signal gantry controlling the down through goods and the down through main lines

Ref: lnwrrm2440b IJ Williams Close up showing the lines leading to the junction with the former Midland branch to Leicester

Ref: lnwrrm2480 DJ Braden View from Rugby's No 5 signal cabin showing the lines from the Leicester branch crossing the through lines

Ref: lnwrrm2480a DJ Braden Close up showing from left to right the up and down engine line, the up goods and the up through main

Ref: lnwrrm2480b DJ Braden Close up of Rugby's No 4 signal cabin and the bays for local trains to Stafford, New Street and Leamington

Ref: lnwrrm2421b IJ Williams Close up showing the down through lines to the right of the colour signals and also the coal merchants sidings

Ref: lnwrrm812a Anon Close up showing part of the sidings located behind the junction of Wood Street and Railway Terrace

Ref: lnwrrm737a Weston Collection Close up showing the sidings located between the British Thomson Houston works and Rugby's No 5 signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm723a P Fitton Close up in colour showing the sidings between British Thomson Houston works and Rugby's No 5 signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm722a R Barby Close up showing the through up lines approaching Rugby and the remaining former MR station building

Ref: lnwrrm722b R Barby Close up showing the tracks leading to Rugby's goods sheds and to the other sidings behind Wood Street

Ref: lnwrrm2446 Anon Engraving of the eleven arched Avon viaduct carrying the Midland Counties Railway over the Leicester Road

Ref: lnwrrm2620 British Railways View of the eleven arch viaduct built by the former Midland Counties Railway over the River Avon

Ref: lnwrrm909 WoW The northern approaches to the station taken along the River Avon during the first year of World War II

Ref: lnwrrm904 WoW Railway Terrace built by the LNWR to connect to the station and which was lined on either side with sleepers

Ref: lnwrrm2639 D Smith Ex-LMS 6P 4-6-0 Royal Scot Class No 46115 'Scots Guardsman' is seen shunting Rugby's goods yard in 1963

Rugby Station

Ref: lnwrrm897 Warwickshire Library View of the main entrance to Rugby's second station which was erected directly opposite Railway Terrace

Ref: lnwrrm1535 WoW View of horse drawn cab rank and the main entrance to Rugby's third station seen on 3rd July 1906

Ref: lnwrrm864 British Railways Looking towards the main entrance of the station with the bridge carrying the railway over Murray Road just beyond

Ref: lnwrrm855 British Railways Another view of Rugby's frontage and canopy with a mixture of vehicles in LMS and BR's new corporate livery

Ref: lnwrrm2540 R Postill Another view of Rugby's entrance located in Railway Terrace near to the junction with Murray Road

Ref: lnwrrm889 Postcard Early 1900s view of the down platform as a LNWR train arrives opposite the news kiosk

Ref: lnwrrm894 Postcard A First World War view of Rugby station's down platform as a LNWR train arrives in the station

Ref: lnwrrm1533 Postcard View of the up platform which had been designed to accommodate two trains at each platform simultaneously

Ref: lnwrrm1533a Postcard A train indicator which showed the time of the next two trains and ay which section of the up platform

Ref: lnwrrm862 Real Photographs Looking towards London along the down platform as a train leaves the south section of the platform

Ref: lnwrrm862a Real Photographs Close up of the down platform and on the left the ramp protected by railings providing access to the station

Ref: lnwrrm862b Real Photographs Close up showing a LNWR 4-4-0 at the head of an express using the scissor crossing to exit the down platform

Ref: lnwrrm2619 British Railways Looking along platform one with the dining rooms and refreshment rooms in the centre of the image

Ref: lnwrrm2618 British Railways View of Rugby's Refreshment Room doorway and the signage that was liberally distributed on the walls

Ref: lnwrrm858 British Railways View of one of the two ramps which provided access from the main entrance via the pedestrian underpass

Ref: lnwrrm859 British Railways View of the entrance to the refreshment room from the up platform showing mail bags loaded on trolleys

Ref: lnwrrm856 British Railways View of the water fountain marked with the date 1864 located on the down platform seen on 13th April 1954

Ref: lnwrrm857 British Railways View of the Nuneaton end of the up platform showing the doorways to the telegraph and booking offices

Ref: lnwrrm849 Coventry Evening Telegraph View of the scissors crossing and down platform taken from Rugby No 3 signal cabin looking towards Stafford

Ref: lnwrrm745a AW Flowers Close up showing the north end of Rugby's Platform One for down traffic and access to the adjacent Platform Six

Ref: lnwrrm888 Anon View of the up platform showing the train shed covering both the platform line and the avoiding line

Ref: lnwrrm2439 IJ Williams View across the up lines towards the northern part of Rugby station with Rugby's No 3 signal cabin on the right

Ref: lnwrrm2439a IJ Williams Close up of the facilities located at the Nuneaton end of the main building including the Ladies Waiting Room

Ref: lnwrrm2545 J Alsop Looking along platform 1 from the Stafford end of Rugby station with bay platforms 5 and 6 on the left

Diagrams and Drawings

Ref: lnwrrm2468 P Ellliot Plan of Rugby's rebuilt second station of 1850 showing both L&NWR and Midland Railway facilities

Ref: lnwrrm2537 RJ Essery A diagram of Rugby station and carriage shed showing the principal lines through the station

Ref: lnwrrm2425 PJ Worsley Schematic plan showing Rugby's signal cabins post 1948 and the various routes to and from Rugby

Ref: lnwrrm2544 RJ Essery Part of the two chain survey dated circa 1905 showing the 'northern' section of Rugby station and its approaches

Ref: lnwrrm2546 RJ Essery Part of the two chain survey dated circa 1905 showing the approaches from both Leicester and Birmingham

Ref: lnwrrm2548 RJ Essery The MR's 1916 edition of its Distance Diagrams showing marked in bold MR lines and also running powers

Ref: lnwrrm2411 PJ Worsley Schematic plan showing the locations of the Great Central and LMS signal cabins within Rugby and the wider area

Ref: lnwrrm2412 PJ Worsley Schematic plan showing the principal roads around Rugby and the main GCR and LMS railway routes

Ref: lnwrrm2621a Postcard Schematic plan showing the lines from Northampton and Euston at the top and Market Harborough at the bottom

Ref: lnwrrm2621b Postcard Schematic plan showing lines to Leamington, Birmingham and Trent Valley at the top and Leicester at the bottom

Ref: lnwrrm2621c Postcard Schematic plan showing the configuration of the lines around the station and the two sheds

Ref: lnwrrm2621 Postcard Schematic plan of Rugby station, shed and yards showing the seven different routes that radiated outwards

Ref: lnwrrm2477 P Elliot Schematic outline plan showing the locations of Rugby's three stations erected between 1840 and 1885

Rugby's Southern Approaches

Ref: lnwrrm742 Weston Collection View from the GC bridge looking towards the southern end of Rugby station with No 1 signal cabin on the right

Ref: lnwrrm742a Weston Collection Close up showing the southern aspect of the approach to the station with the through lines on the left

Ref: lnwrrm742b Weston Collection Close up showing the tracks on either side of Rugby's tall No 1 signal cabin which included two sidings

Ref: lnwrrm1067 Weston Collection The southern end of the station showing the Market Harborough and Northampton platforms the left

Ref:lnwrrm1067a Weston Collection Close up of Rugby station's train shed which had two ridged roofs at either end and two bow roofs in the centre

Ref:lnwrrm2586 J Alsop Looking towards Euston with the up through line on the right and the bidirectional engine line on the left

Ref: lnwrrm850 Anon Southern approaches to the station showing from left to right Northampton, Market Harborough and Euston lines

Ref: lnwrrm850a Anon Close up of the lines from the south with Clifton Road Junction seen in the distance under the centre bridge

Ref: lnwrrm851 Anon An unidentified ex-LMS 4-6-0 locomotive is seen coming out of the 'Rathole' at the head of a Euston express

Ref: lnwrrm2428 IJ Williams Clifton Road bridge with the junction between Northampton and Market Harborough in the centre of the image

Ref: lnwrrm2428a IJ Williams Close up showing the junction between the two branches after the removal of the elevated signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm2479 WF Carfrae Looking south from Clifton Road bridge before removal of the overbridge to Townsend Road in 1963

Ref: lnwrrm730a Weston Collection Close up of the site of the former Clifton Road Junction signal cabin with the Market Harborough line on the left

Ref: lnwrrm883 Postcard Postcard view of Clifton Road signal box from another angle as a LNWR 4-4-0 storms underneath on an up express

Ref: lnwrrm1304 WoW Remodelling work on the Northampton branch required the LNWR to build a new bridge over the Oxford Canal

Aerial views of Rugby station and yard

Ref: lnwrrm2454 Aerofilms An aerial view showing Rugby station's dual width train shed and the goods yard which lay to the north of the station

Ref: lnwrrm2454a Aerofilms Close up showing the cattle pens and the twin peaked roof of Rugby's goods shed which opened in 1881

Ref: lnwrrm2454b Aerofilms Close up of the remaining portion of Rugby's second station which accommodated the Midland Railway

Ref: lnwrrm2454c Aerofilms Close up of the main body of the 1885 station and the enginemen's lodging house and part of engine shed

Ref: lnwrrm2406 I Mackenzie An aerial view of the 'Birdcage' bridge showing the overhead power lines being erected and the new Clifton Road bridge

Rugby's LNWR Great Central Signal Gantry and Signal Cabins

The 'Bedstead'

Ref: lnwrrm1491 Anon A publicity photograph by the LNWR of men standing on the LNWR Signal Gantry prior to the GC bridge being erected

Ref: lnwrrm901 LNWR Postcard Rugby's Signal Gantry prior to the construction of the GC bridge carrying the new railway over the LNWR mainline

Ref: lnwrrm907 WoW Another view of Rugby's signal gantry showing advanced temporary work on the GC bridge underway

Ref: lnwrrm1490 SWA Newton View of an unidentified LNWR 2-4-0 'Big Jumbo' class locomotive held by the signals under the GC bridge

Ref: lnwrrm867 Rugby Library Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 PoW class No 25673 'Lusitania' waiting under Rugby Signal Gantry for a clear road to the station

Ref: lnwrrm2460 Warwickshire Libraries Another view of Rugby's signal gantry showing the main down line andthe line to Rugby shed's turntable

Ref: lnwrrm2539 V Forster Another view of the signal gantry nicknamed the 'Rugby bedstead' with the GC bridge in the background

Ref: lnwrrm2413 PJ Worsley Diagram showing the location of the tracks controlled by the signal gantry and their relevant signals

Rugby's signal cabins

Ref: lnwrrm869 HW Robinson ©Steam Archive View of Rugby No 1 signal cabin located between the London end of the station and the GC bridge

Ref: lnwrrm2429 IJ Williams Another view of Rugby's three storey No 1 signal cabin with the down platform line immediately in the foreground

Ref: lnwrrm2474 D Smith View looking south showing Rugby No 1 signal cabin on 11th September 1964 a few day prior to its closure

Ref: lnwrrm906 Postcard Interior of Rugby No 1 signal cabin with two signalmen each being responsible for a section of levers

Ref: lnwrrm2457 IJ Mackenzie Internal view of Rugby's No 1 signal cabin and some of the 185 levers used to operate points, signals etc

Ref: lnwrrm2414 PJ Worsley Rugby No 1 signal cabin's track diagram showing the lines controlled by colour light and semaphore signals

Ref: lnwrrm2608 RS Carpenter Rugby No 2 Signal Cabin seen in the early 1950s with an ex-LNWR Elliptical Roof Corridor Slip Coach stabled behind it

Ref: lnwrrm2410 PJ Worsley Rugby No 2 signal cabin's track diagram showing the down platform and down through lines and sidings

Ref: lnwrrm854 BR Rugby No 3 signal cabin which controls the scissor crossover and the section of track on the up side of the station

Ref: lnwrrm2439b IJ Williams View of Rugby's No 3 signal cabin with on its right the two through roads and the bidirectional engine line

Ref: lnwrrm2409 PJ Worsley Rugby No 3 signal cabin's track diagram showing the up platform, up through and goods lines and sidings

Ref: lnwrrm2438 IJ Williams Looking south to Rugby's No 4 signal cabin with on the left the bay platforms and on the right the down platform line

Ref: lnwrrm2408 PJ Worsley Rugby No 4 signal cabin's track diagram showing the down various lines and Bays 3 to 6 inclusive

Ref: lnwrrm2421a IJ Williams Close up showing the northern elevation of Rugby's No 5 signal cabin with the station in the background

Ref: lnwrrm872b Anon Close up showing Rugby No 5 signal cabin in the foreground and the signal works in the background

Ref: lnwrrm2407 PJ Worsley Rugby No 5 signal cabin's track diagram showing the junction with the former Midland branch to Leicester

Ref: lnwrrm2437a IJ Williams Close up showing the southern elevation of Rugby's No 7 signal cabin with the 'GEC' works in the background

Ref: lnwrrm2431b IJ Williams Close up showing Rugby's No 7 signal cabin and either side the two sets of track leading to sidings No 1 and 2

Ref: lnwrrm853 Anon An internal view of Rugby's No 7 signal cabin with one of the 'bobbies' standing by its large lever frame

Ref: lnwrrm863 Anon Another view of Rugby's No 7 signal cabin showing the booking table being used in the far corner of the cabin

Ref: lnwrrm2417 I Mackenzie Internal view of Rugby's replacement No 7 signal cabin showing signalmen George Wilson and Denis Fiander

Ref: lnwrrm2418 I Mackenzie Another internal view of Rugby's No 7 replacement signal cabin complete with its 175 lever signal cabin

Ref: lnwrrm2427 PJ Worsley Rugby No 7 signal cabin's track diagram showing the branches to Leamington, Birmingham and Stafford

Ref: lnwrrm817a AW Flowers Close up showing Clifton Road junction signal cabin which was sited straddling the Northampton line

Ref: lnwrrm2422 PJ Worsley Clifton Road Junction signal cabin's track diagram showing the lines leading south and the Market Harborough branch

Ref: lnwrrm2432 PJ Worsley View of Newbold's small two-storey signal cabin equipped with a LNWR tumbler frame of 15 levers

Ref: lnwrrm2415 PJ Worsley Newbold signal cabin's track diagram showing semaphore signalling controlling the four through lines from Rugby

Ref: lnwrrm2423 PJ Worsley Newbold signal cabin's track diagram showing the distant signals converted to colour light signals

Ref: lnwrrm2416 PJ Worsley Kilsby North's signal cabin's track diagram showing the Hillmorton to Kilsby South section of track

Ref: lnwrrm2419 I Mackenzie Internal view of Bilton Sidings signal cabin, the LNWR lever frame and the track diagram above the block shelf

Ref: lnwrrm2622 RS Carpenter Hillmorton Signal Cabin as ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 Patriot Class No 45549 passes on an up Northampton express

Miscellaneous

Ref: lnwrrm2617 British Railways Looking along Rugby's Cattle Dock towards Wood Street with cattle sidings located on either side of the cobbled way

Ref: lnwrrm2617a British Railways Close up showing stockmen herding the cattle together before driving them off to the nearby market

Ref: lnwrrm2617b British Railways Close up showing the gates and posts designed to accommodate the unloading of cattle from the wagons

Ref: lnwrrm882 Postcard View of the cattle market which was extremely large and which required many to be transported to Rugby by rail

Ref: lnwrrm2610 B Eite View of Old Station Square which occupied part of the site of the original L & B's temporary station

Ref: lnwrrm2614 B Eite View showing on the right the rear elevation of the cottages on Old Station Square which shows the absence of windows

Ref: lnwrrm896 Anon Rugby's brakedown train re-rails open wagons next to Rugby No 5 signal cabin with the goods yard in the distance

Ref: lnwrrm2375 Anon View of some of the wrecked coaches from the Euston to Manchester parcels which occurred on 26th August 1923

Ref: lnwrrm884 WoW The departure of King Edward VII on the Royal Train after his visit to Rugby shortly before his death

Ref: lnwrrm895 WoW Representatives of the town awaiting the arrival of King Edward VII for the opening of the Temple Speech room

Ref: lnwrrm878 WoW The Lord Mayor of London arriving at Rugby for the laying of the foundation stone of the St Cross Hospital

Ref: lnwrrm886 WoW A posed photograph of the full compliment of L&NWR station staff at Rugby's 1885 station

Ref: lnwrrm885 WoW Photograph showing some of the LNWR staff employed at Rugby station at the turn of the century

Ref: lnwrrm898 WoW The Mayor Alderman RH Myers serves the 100,000th cup of tea from Rugby's wartime station canteen

Ref: lnwrrm877 WoW View of a horse being used to haul a Howitzer Battery gun onto a railway wagon in Rugby goods yard

Ref: lnwrrm908 WoW A shunting horse being used to rotate the wagon on a wagon turntable in Hunters Wagon Works

Ref: lnwrrm1069 Bourne A Bourne painting showing the construction of Kilsby Tunnel at one of the large diameter air shafts