Wigston Magna railway station explained

Wigston Magna
Status:Disused
Borough:Wigston Magna, Borough of Oadby and Wigston
Country:England
Coordinates:52.5802°N -1.1233°W
Grid Name:Grid reference
Platforms:2
Original:Midland Railway
Pregroup:Midland Railway[1]
Postgroup:London, Midland and Scottish Railway
Years:8 May 1857
Events:Station opened as Wigston
Years1:1924
Events1:Renamed Wigston Magna[2]
Years2:1 January 1968
Events2:Station closed

Wigston Magna railway station was a railway station serving Wigston Magna in Leicestershire.

History

In 1857 the Midland Railway opened its new main line to, diverging from the Midland Counties Railway main line at a junction slightly north of its Wigston station. A new Wigston railway station was opened on the new main line, and the Midland Counties station was renamed to reduce confusion.[2]

In 1860 the Midland acquired running powers to on the South Leicestershire Railway, which was later extended to . In 1872 a south chord was added to Wigston Junction, creating a direct link between Wigston Magna and stations.

In its heyday Wigston was an important interchange with large sidings and wagon repair shop. A motive power depot (MPD) was added in 1873.

In the 1923 grouping the Midland became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway and later the second Wigston station was renamed Wigston Magna for further clarity. The London, Midland and Scottish Railway closed the MPD in 1934 but reopened it in the Second World War while Leicester MPD was being rebuilt.

British Railways closed the MPD again in 1955.[3] By 1968 BR closed all Midland Main Line stations between and, including Wigston Magna.

Stationmaster

Notes and References

  1. Book: Connolly, W. Philip . 1976 . British Railways Pre-Grouping Atlas and Gazetteer . Shepperton . . 0-7110-0320-3 . map sixteen.
  2. Book: Dewick, Tony . 2002 . Complete Atlas of Railway Station Names . Hersham . . 0-7110-2798-6 . map sixteen.
  3. Book: Radford, B . Midland Line Memories: a Pictorial History of the Midland Railway Main Line Between London and Derby . 1983 . 1988 . London . . 1-870630-21-1 . not cited.
  4. . 1914 . 1859-1866 . Midland Railway Miscellaneous Depts . 173 . 5 February 2022.
  5. . 1914 . 1859-1866 . Midland Railway Miscellaneous Depts . 256 . 5 February 2022.
  6. News: . Presentation to a Midland Railway Official . Stamford Mercury . England . 1 April 1898 . 5 February 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  7. News: . A Wigston Funeral . Nottingham Journal . England . 11 July 1922 . 5 February 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  8. News: . Midland Railway (Passenger Dept.) Staff Changes . Derby Daily Telegraph . England . 13 September 1922 . 5 February 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .
  9. News: . Mr. T. Bond . Essex Newsman . England . 27 January 1940 . 5 February 2022 . British Newspaper Archive . subscription .