Place Silloth Grid reference NY101523 Platforms in use 1 | Area Allerdale Pre-grouping North British Railway | |
Original company Carlisle & Silloth Bay Railway & Dock Company Post-grouping London and North Eastern Railway Similar Bromfield (Cumbria) railway st, Black Dyke Halt railway st, Cumberland and Westmorl, Abbey Town railway st, Curthwaite railway station | ||
Silloth Battery Extension railway station was the terminus of the Blitterlees Branch, which turned southwards off the Carlisle and Silloth Bay Railway's Silloth Branch a short distance east of Silloth station. The larger railway ran from Carlisle, England. The Bitterlees Branch does not appear on standard railway maps, but it is clear on OS maps, though the station is not identifiable as such.
The station's sole purpose was to serve the naval gun testing battery, built by Armstrong Whitworth. Most trains to the site consisted of military supplies, the passenger station was built to carry battery personnel and visitors, including royalty on at least one occasion. In 1895 the Shalzada of Afghanistan and Suite observed naval firing, but was said to be especially impressed with the Maxim machine gun.
Trains to the station were run on an ad hoc basis, the station never appeared on public timetables.
The station opened in 1886 and closed in 1928 when the battery closed, its operations being moved south to Eskmeals, near Drigg.