Wantage railway station

Wantage railway station is a closed stone and brick built station located on Mill Street, Wantage in Oxfordshire on the Wantage Tramway line. The station closed fully in 1945 when Wantage Tramway ceased operations.

For the Great Western main line station, see Wantage Road railway station.
Wantage
LocationWantage, Vale of White Horse, Oxfordshire
England
Grid referenceSU398881
Platforms1
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original companyWantage Tramway
Key dates
1 October 1875Station opens to freight
11 October 1875Station opens to passengers
1 August 1925Station closes to passengers
22 December 1945Station closes to freight
Wantage Tramway
 Swindon – Didcot 
Wantage Road
Passenger siding
Goods yard
Oxford Lane Halt
Gypsy Lane loop
Grove Hill Halt
loop
Wantage lower yard
Wantage

History

Formed in 1873 to link Wantage Road station with its terminus at Wantage the line was cheaply built[1] parallel to what was then the Besselsleigh Turnpike, and now the A338.

The line was opened for goods on 1 October 1875, and to passengers on 11 October.[2] The tramway junction was to the east of Wantage Road station; interchange passengers walked under the bridge to reach the tramway yard, where the westernmost siding (parallel to the road) was reserved for passenger tramcars.[2][3]

For most of its operation the line was well used and profitable but the advent of popular road transport saw a steady decline in passengers and freight.[1] The tramway closed to passengers on 1 August 1925, and to goods on 22 December 1945.[2][4]

Former Services
Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Wantage Road
Line and station closed		   Wantage Tramway Company   Terminus

References
  1. Atterbury, P. (2006). Branch Line Britain. Marlborough: David and Charles. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-7153-2416-5.
  2. Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (2003). Branch Line to Wantage - The Wantage Tramway. Midhurst: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-904474-25-X.
  3. Mitchell, Vic; Smith, Keith (July 2002). "X. Wantage Road". Didcot to Swindon. Western Main Lines. Midhurst: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-901706-84-2.
  4. Wantage Museum

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