Stockingford Station

LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

Stockingford station was one of three provided when the line from Nuneaton to Whitacre Junction was opened on 1st November 1864 as part of the Midland Railway's Nuneaton to Birmingham route. The other two stations were Shustoke and Arley & Fillongley, with all three being built to the same standard design. The station's importance was elevated with the development of the nearby coal fields resulting in the building of Stockingford branch line to Ansley Hall Colliery connecting en-route with, Stockingford Colliery and Nuneaton (New) Colliery. Ansley Hall Colliery opened in 1874 whereas Stockingford Colliery, originally called Chapel End pit, was opened in 1871. To connect these pits to the MR the first portion of the single line branch opened 3rd April 1876 with the second section opening on 5th September 1876. Pete Lee states in his article in British Railways Journal No 9 - Autumn 1985 that 'the addition of the brickworks and concrete works in the form of Moorwoods helped to consolidate Stockingford's importance as a railway centre'. the branch was used everyday until Ansley Hall Colliery closed on 30th October 1959. The station closed to passengers on 4th March 1968.

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

Ref: mrs396 P Lee Collection Looking towards Nuneaton Abbey Street with passengers waiting for a Birmingham bound train

Ref: mrs1083 WA Camwell Looking in the direction of Nuneaton with Haunchwood Brickwork's chimneys seen in the distance

Ref: mrs1083a WA Camwell Close up showing Stockingford station and its sparse furniture a few months before it was to close

Ref: mrs1084 Coventry Evening Telegraph Stockingford station seen after its March 1968 closure and now displaying a 'To Let' sign

Ref: mrs1082 WA Camwell Looking towards Birmingham from beneath the bridge carrying Whittleford Road over the railway in the 1950s

Ref: mrs1082a WA Camwell Close up showing Stockingford's Goods Shed and goods sidings in the near distance on the right

Ref: mrs1082b WA Camwell Close up showing the Nuneaton side of Stockingford stationmaster's house and passenger facilities

Ref: mrs1075 P Lee Looking towards Nuneaton with Stockingford Goods shed on the left and Stockingford Signal Box on the right

Ref: mrs424 RS Carpenter Looking towards Nuneaton with the locomotive shed on the right behind Stockingford signal box

Ref: mrs424a RS Carpenter Close up of Stockingford's Goods Shed and its simple goods yard viewed from the branch line's sidings

Ref: mrs424b RS Carpenter Close up showing Stockingford Shed and Stockingford Signal Box seen shortly after opening

Ref: mrs1085a MH Billington Close up showing the absence of the goods shed and other buildings at Stockingford station

Ref: mrs405 HB Priestley Looking towards Water Orton with the goods yard on the right and the former shed on the left

Ref: mrs1085 MH Billington Ex-LNWR G2a 0-8-0 No 49142 is seen standing on the reception road used by Stockingford branch line

Ref: mrs398 MJ Lee Ex-LMS 'Stanier Crab' No 42946 is seen standing in Stockingford sidings ready to depart on an up freight

Ref: mrs404 M Billington An unidentified ex-MR 0-6-0 locomotive heads a coal train on the steeply graded Stockingford branch

Ref: mrs1078 E Barnsby Both the locomotive's crew and the shunters on Stockingford branch shunt pose before the camera

Ref: mrs1080 E Barnsby View of Stockingford Sidings Signal Box which was sited on the down line opposite Stockingford Branch

Ref: mrs1076 B Bill View of Stockingford Ground Frame which appears to have been decommissioned some time previous

Ref: mrs406 M Mensing A two-car DMU is seen arriving on the diverted 1:10pm New Street to Rugby local train on 8th December 1963

Ref: mrs1081 GRC&W Co A 1902 Stockingford Colliery 7-plank open wagon built by Gloucester Railway Carriage & Wagon Company Ltd

Ref: mr-misc001 J Griffiths Illustration of the variety of the oil lamps employed along the route between Castle Bromwich and Stockingford

Ref: mrs1077 Ordnance Survey A 1924 OS Map showing the location and juxtaposition of Stockingford Sidings, Station and Engine Shed

Ref: mrs1079 P Lee Schematic drawing showing Stockingford Station in relation to the branch and the LNWR's Trent Valley line

Ref: mrs1086 P Lee Diagram for Stockingford Sidings Signal Box which controlled Stockingford branch line and the station