Over a span of three centuries Shrewsbury Railway Station has sent countless travellers on their way and welcomed untold numbers to the county town.
In popular imagination the golden era of rail travel was some time in the distant past and, whether or not that is true, it was certainly different with the huffing, puffing, snorting steam locomotives, the smell of smoke, the distinctive clickety-clack of trains moving over the tracks, platform tickets (remember those?), and plentiful staff.
Shrewsbury, it should be remembered, was a major railway town. Not so much now though. But it does have one of Britain’s most striking railway station buildings, dating back to 1848, its architecture meriting it Grade II listed status.
It’s all a fascinating past. Hop on, and let us take you there.
- Did you see our gallery of 49 pictures showing a very different Shropshire in 1978? Take a trip back in time and see the pictures here.
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1. Comings and goings
This captures the hustle and bustle of the station in past times. Unfortunately it is undated, but based on the cars we'll take a punt at it being late 1940s. | Source unknown
2. And in the beginning...
Shrewsbury Railway Station, as depicted in an engraving published in the Shrewsbury Chronicle of October 13, 1848, the day after the official opening of the Shrewsbury to Chester railway service. | Shrewsbury Chronicle
3. A Tudor Revival
Another depiction from the time of the opening. The station was built in Tudor Revival style. | Source unknown
4. How many would return?
This picture of "The Pals Leaving Shrewsbury" was in a four-page supplement which appeared in the Shrewsbury Chronicle of Friday, November 20, 1914, featuring local Great War soldiers gathered on the station forecourt. The "Pals" would have been local men leaving for war. As you can see, they are not yet in uniform and they are all looking at something. Perhaps a dignitary is bidding them farewell, or an officer is giving them instructions for the journey. | Shrewsbury Chronicle/Bartlett