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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17. Up, up and away
For his 50th birthday in 2000 Trevor Perry of Meole Brace was given a hot air balloon flight by wife Lynda. While up in the air he capture this view which among other things shows a conveyor which used to run from the station to Shrewsbury sorting office. | Trevor Perry
18. Don't blow it
Shrewsbury residents had every right to be concerned about this train mishap in June 1970, as it involved an ammunition train. A policeman takes notes while standing on top of one of the derailed wagons. The train carrying ammunition from South Wales to Crewe collided with the rear of a stationary parcels train at Shrewsbury station. The six goods vans containing ammunition were among wagons overturned or piled up through jacknifing. According to eyewitnesses, the driver jumped clear just before the impact, and escaped injury. He was taken to the Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury, and was treated for shock, but was not detained. About 20 wagons were derailed, ripping up 150 yards of track and demolishing 50 yards of platform. | Shropshire Star archive
19. Arrival of the Cambrian Coast Express
Another of Russell Mulford's evocative views, this time showing the Cambrian Coast Express at one of the platforms. | Russell Mulford collection
20. View of a bridge
The old Shrewsbury railway bridge. We are looking back down Castle Foregate towards St Michael's Street with our back to the town. The date may be circa 1901 when the station forecourt was being excavated, which would explain why these horse-drawn coaches for hire or taxis for hire are by the bridge, having been displaced from the forecourt. The photo was from the collection of Frank Reece who died in 2012. | Frank Reece