Place Sturminster Newton Grid reference ST789141 Platforms in use 2 | Area North Dorset 31 August 1863 Opened | |
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Pre-grouping Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway Post-grouping SR and LMSR
Southern Region of British Railways | ||
Sturminster Newton railway station was a station in the town of Sturminster Newton, in the English county of Dorset. It was located between Stalbridge and Shillingstone stations on the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway.
Contents
History
The station was opened on 31 August 1863 by the London and South Western Railway as part of the Dorset Central Railway. A passing place on a stretch of single line, the station had two platforms with shelters, and a small goods yard. This and the passing loop were controlled from a signal box.
The station was transferred to the Southern Railway at the Grouping of 1923. Becoming part of the Southern Region of British Railways when the railways were nationalised in 1948.
The goods yard gave milk trains access to the private sidings of the local creamery. Started in 1913 by local farmers to produce cheddar cheese and pasteurised milk, it was taken over by the Milk Marketing Board in 1937. Milk trains ceased in 1966 upon closure of the line, with the creamery remaining in operation until 2000, when it was closed by owners Dairy Crest.
The station was closed when the S&DJR closed on 7 March 1966.
The site today
Today the site is a trading estate and small park with a set of commemorative gates at the entrance.[1]