Luton Hoo railway station explained

Luton Hoo
Status:Disused
Borough:Luton Hoo
Country:England
Platforms:1
Original:Hertford, Luton & Dunstable Railway
Pregroup:Great Northern Railway
Postgroup:London and North Eastern Railway
Years:1 September 1860
Events:Opened as New Mill End
Years1:1 December 1891
Events1:Renamed Luton Hoo
Years2:26 April 1965
Events2:Station closed

Luton Hoo railway station was built by the Hertford, Luton and Dunstable Railway on the branch line between Hatfield and Dunstable. It opened in 1860 and was originally called New Mill End. In 1861 the station and line was taken over by the Great Northern Railway. The Prince of Wales, the future George V, who had travelled by special train from King's Cross alighted at the station on 5 December 1878 on a visit to Luton Hoo. A crowd cheered the Prince on his arrival. A carpet was laid along the station platform over which a wooden roof decorated with evergreens and scarlet cloth was erected.[1] The station's name was changed to Luton Hoo in 1891. It was closed in 1965.[2] The last passenger train, packed with enthusiasts, was hauled by Brush Type 2 (later Class 31) D5589 on 24 April 1965.

It served Luton Hoo house and the village of New Mill End. It was close to the Midland Railway station of Chiltern Green and the GNR line took a parallel course to the Midland north to Luton Bute Street.

The station building and platform still exist, sited next to a sewage works.

See also

External links

51.8492°N -0.3759°W

Notes and References

  1. News: 7 December 1878 . The Visit of the Prince of Wales to Luton - The Arrival at New Mill End . 4 . The Luton Reporter and Beds and Herts News . 236 . subscription . 24 February 2024 . British Newspaper Archive.
  2. Book: Quick, M. E.. Railway passenger stations in England, Scotland and Wales – a chronology. 2002. Railway and Canal Historical Society. Richmond. 281. 931112387.