St Lawrence railway station (Isle of Wight)

St Lawrence railway station is a former railway station in the village of St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight.

St Lawrence
The former station building in 2018, now a private residence
General information
LocationSt Lawrence, Isle of Wight
England
Platforms1
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Pre-groupingNewport, Godshill & St Lawrence Railway (1897-1913)
Isle of Wight Central Railway (1913 to 1923)
Post-groupingSouthern Railway (1923 to 1948)
Southern Region of British Railways (1948 to 1952)
Key dates
20 July 1897Opened
15 September 1952Closed
A 1914 Railway Clearing House map of lines around The Isle of Wight.

History

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It opened in 1897 and was the original terminus of the branch line from Merstone until the 1½ mile extension to Ventnor was completed in June 1900. From 1927 the station was downgraded to the status of an unstaffed halt.

Stationmasters

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  • William Bayley ca. 1899 (afterwards station master at Ventnor Town)
  • E. Wadmore 1905 - 1912[1]
  • Charles Dennett ca. 1920 (afterwards station master at Yarmouth)

Location

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The station was located between a steep cliff face and a public road. During the early years of the line's operation, rock falls were common. This problem was alleviated when the undergrowth took hold on the cliff face.

The short distance between the south portal of the St. Lawrence tunnel and the station was widely regarded as one of the finest views to be had on the island's railways.

Today the station building is a private residence. The trackbed has been filled in up to the level of the platform. The steep road bridge crossing at the eastern end of the station is still evident. The trackbed towards Ventnor is now covered by modern housing.


Preceding station   Disused railways   Following station
Ventnor West   British Railways
Southern Region

IoW CR : Ventnor West branch line
  Whitwell

Other stations on the branch

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The other stations on the Ventnor West branch were:

References

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  1. ^ "Ventnor". Isle of Wight Times. England. 4 April 1912. Retrieved 25 July 2021 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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50°35′15″N 1°14′45″W / 50.5874°N 1.2457°W / 50.5874; -1.2457