Fritwell & Somerton railway station explained

Fritwell & Somerton
Status:Disused
Borough:Somerton, Oxfordshire
Country:England
Coordinates:51.956°N -1.279°W
Grid Name:Grid reference
Platforms:2
Original:Great Western Railway
Pregroup:Great Western Railway
Postgroup:Great Western Railway
Years:2 September 1850
Events:Line opened from to
Years1:1855
Events1:Station opened as Somerton
Years2:2 July 1906
Events2:renamed Somerton Oxon
Years3:1 October 1907
Events3:renamed Fritwell & Somerton
Years4:2 November 1964
Events4:Station closed

Fritwell & Somerton railway station was on the to line of the Great Western Railway, and was opened four years after the line, in September 1854. It was in the village of Somerton, Oxfordshire.

History

The line had been authorised as the Oxford and Rugby Railway, but had been absorbed by the GWR prior to its opening on 2 September 1850. No station was originally planned at Somerton — the nearest station to the village was, three miles to the south. The station at was closer by rail, being about 2.5miles to the north, but the road journey was about 5miles.

It was soon decided that Somerton needed a station. It was built south of the railway bridge in the village, and opened in 1855, being originally named Somerton.

A station at Somerton (Somerset) was opened on 2 July 1906, and to avoid confusion, the Oxfordshire station was renamed twice: first to Somerton Oxon also on 2 July 1906, then to Fritwell & Somerton on 1 October 1907, although the village of Fritwell is 2miles away.

The goods service was withdrawn on 4 May 1964, and the passenger service ceased on 2 November 1964.[1]

References

Notes and References

  1. [#CITEREFRailwayMagazine196412|Railway Magazine, December 1964]