Hungerford railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Hungerford
manager = First Great Western
locale = Hungerford
borough = West Berkshire
usage0405 = 0.207
usage0506 = 0.227
usage0607 = 0.216
platforms = 2
start = December 1847

Hungerford railway station is a railway station in the town of Hungerford in the county of Berkshire in England. The station opened in December 1847. First Great Western provide the rail service to Hungerford station.

History

Hungerford was first opened as a terminus of the Berks and Hants Line which started at Reading. The line was operated and owned by the Great Western Railway (GWR). In 1862 the Berks and Hants was extended to Patney and Chirton so that Hungerford was no longer the terminus. It eventually reached Taunton on April 2 1906 to allow the running of express trains from London Paddington through to the South West without taking the longer route through Bristol. [ [http://www.railscot.co.uk/Berks_and_Hants_Railway/body.htm GWR Hungerford branch] . Accessed 2 September 2007]

ervice History

The station remained as part of the Great Western Railway (GWR) until the nationalisation of the railways in 1948. After the sectorisation of British Rail in 1982 the station became part of Network South East. From 1996 services were provided by Thames Trains and then First Great Western when the franchises merged.

Current Layout

Hungerford station consists of two platforms either side of the mainline tracks. There is a level crossing at the western end of the station. To the East of the station there is a passing loop on the up line which is mainly used by freight trains but can also be used by passenger trains. The current timetable does not call for passenger trains to use the loop but it is common for special charter trains to do so.

Hungerford station is situated on the eastern side of the town. The Kennet and Avon Canal runs to the north of the station, parallel with the line. Hence it is common for people walkers using the canal to use the train to return home.

Services

The station is served by local services operated by First Great Western from London and Reading to Great Bedwyn. There is also a semi-fast First Great Western service between London and Exeter operated using Adelantes.

The services are summarised in the following able.

References

External links