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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13. It's just not fare
Taxi drivers in Shrewsbury on November 29, 1972. The caption was: "A convoy of taxis pulled out from Shrewsbury Railway Station today in a round-the-town protest against the granting of two more taxi driver licences by the town council." | Shropshire Star archive
14. Adding colour
For obvious reasons you don't get to see colour pictures of the station in the early days, but you do get colourised ones, like this early 20th century postcard view. | Shropshire Star archive
15. Going topless
The removal of the old roof. This picture was used in the Shrewsbury Chronicle of May 3, 1963, the story saying: "A huge 45-ton capacity crane and 16 men began the big task of dismantling the superstructure of Shrewsbury Railway Station's high roof early on Sunday. This is to make way for modern steel canopies which will be erected over each platform. While work is in hand a temporary covering will be put over the platforms. Renewal of the roof, erected in 1904, is necessary because, due to smoke and steam, it has deteriorated badly. The main girders are 158ft long and span all seven platforms... Shrewsbury passenger station was built in 1848. There were extensive alterations in 1904, including extra platforms and the overall roof at the south end, which has stood until now. At the northern end the original overall roof had two spans of wrought iron roof trusses covered with boarding and slates. This was replaced in 1924 by the separate canopies to each platform." | Shrewsbury Chronicle
16. Back again
The royal visit of the Queen to Shrewsbury on March 17, 1967. She is welcomed on the platform. | Source unknown