Wokingham railway station

Infobox UK station
name = Wokingham

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manager = South West Trains
locale = Wokingham
borough = Wokingham
code = WKM
usage0405 = 1.803
usage0506 = 1.838
usage0607 = 1.951
platforms = 2
start = 4 July 1849

Wokingham railway station is a railway station in the town of Wokingham in Berkshire, England. It is situated at the junction of the Waterloo to Reading line with the North Downs Line. The station is managed by South West Trains, who provide services along with First Great Western.

History

The London and South Western Railway (LSWR) line reaching Wokingham from Ascot railway station was opened on 9 July 1856, using running powers over the already existing South Eastern Railway (formally the Reading, Guildford & Reigate Railway) metals to reach Reading. The current signal box, opened in 1933, is responsible for a large part of the south-easterly section of the North Downs Line and an eastern portion of the Waterloo route, as well as the level crossing. Wokingham's station building was replaced in 1973 by a featureless structure built in prefabricated concrete (CLASP). The platforms were extended slightly in 1987 to accommodate eight-car Waterloo trains.

Level crossings

There are several crossings that are encountered from Wokingham on the Waterloo route."Wokingham Station"The barriers here were brought into use in 1976. A footbridge is also provided for pedestrians when the crossing is being traversed by trains. Originally it was built from old double-head rails, but has been replaced by a more modern angular design."Tan House"This pedestrian crossing lies in the 'V' of Wokingham Junction- the splitting of the Waterloo and North Downs Lines. The latter is crossed by means of a concrete footbridge.There is also an occupation crossing located off "Gipsy Lane", opposite Langborough Recreation Ground, but is restricted to use by the farm opposite."Star Lane"This major barrier crossing lies on Easthampstead Road. An extremely busy crossing that had automatic half-barriers installed in about 1964. In 1997 it was upgraded to full barriers and the provision of CCTV."Waterloo"AHBs were installed here in 1965. Curiously, unlike Star Lane Crossing, it was not upgraded, and retains half barriers."Amen Corner"A third major level crossing lay closer to Bracknell. AHBs were installed here also in 1965, but the crossing closed in 1982 as part of the A329 re-routing. Today, this road crosses the line by means of an overbridge.

ervices

South West Trains operate services between London Waterloo and Reading: these run every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday, and every 60 minutes on Sundays.

First Great Western operate an hourly semi-fast service between Reading and Gatwick Airport and an hourly stopping service between Reading and Redhill, giving a total service frequency of about two trains per hour on this route off-peak.

Wokingham station is an important interchange for passengers between the Waterloo-Reading line and the North Downs Line. Virgin trains also used the line through Wokingham as a diversionary route to Gatwick Airport/Bournemouth from Reading, with the occasional train from Guildford, although these trains do not stop at Wokingham.

External links

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