Ruspidge Halt railway station

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Ruspidge Halt
Ruspidge Hale, Forest of Dean - geograph.org.uk - 1029439.jpg
Site of the former station (now a linear park) in 2005.
Location Ruspidge, Forest of Dean
England
Coordinates 51°48′41″N2°30′34″W / 51.8115°N 2.5094°W / 51.8115; -2.5094 Coordinates: 51°48′41″N2°30′34″W / 51.8115°N 2.5094°W / 51.8115; -2.5094
Grid reference SO649126
Platforms1
Other information
StatusDisused
History
Original company Great Western Railway
Pre-groupingGreat Western Railway
Post-groupingGreat Western Railway
Key dates
3 August 1907 (1907-08-03)Station opened
3 November 1958 (1958-11-03)Station closed

Ruspidge Halt railway station is a disused railway station opened by the Great Western Railway (GWR) on the former Bullo Pill Railway, later known as the GWR Forest of Dean Branch.

Contents

History

A 1911 RCH map of railways in the vicinity of Ruspidge Halt Bilson, Cinderford, Coleford, Lydbrook & Lydney RJD 86.jpg
A 1911 RCH map of railways in the vicinity of Ruspidge Halt

The Halt was located about 4 miles 4 chains from Newnham on a 1 in 201 gradient. [1]

The station opened for passenger services when they were introduced in August 1907. The low platform was constructed from stone and a stone building was provided from the outset. [2]

Before the commencement of passenger services, the Forest of Dean Branch was worked by train staff in two sections - Bullo to Ruspidge and Ruspidge to Bilson. In order for the passenger services to be introduced, the former goods office was converted for use as a booking office (it had both the railway and public telephones). [3]

The train staff working was also replaced by single line electric key token working and at this time a three-lever ground frame gave the porter control of the up and down distant signals and the gate bolts (which were interlocked). [4]

Services

Preceding station Disused railways Following station
Staple Edge Halt
Line and station closed
  Great Western Railway
Bullo Pill Railway
  Bilson Halt
Line and station closed

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References

  1. Pope, Ian; Karau, Paul (1997). The Forest of Dean Branch - Volume 2. Didcot: Wild Swan Publications Ltd. p. 235. ISBN   1-874103-36-4.
  2. Pope, Ian; Karau, Paul (1992). The Forest of Dean Branch - Volume 1. Didcot: Wild Swan Publications Ltd. pp. 174, 176, 179, 182, 183. ISBN   1-874103-05-4.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Pope & Karau 1992 , p. 174
  4. Pope & Karau 1992 , pp. 177, 179

Further reading