Place West of Whitmore Grid reference SJ795404 Original company Grand Junction Railway | Area Newcastle-under-Lyme 4 July 1837 Opened Platforms in use 2 | |
Pre-grouping London and North Western Railway Post-grouping London, Midland and Scottish Railway | ||
Whitmore was a station serving the village of Whitmore, Staffordshire.
Contents
History
The station opened onto the Grand Junction Railway in 1837 when the line itself was built. It opened in Baldwin's Gate village near the edge of Whitmore Parish. This station brought in huge amounts of people as it also served as the nearest station to Newcastle-under-Lyme and the Potteries until the Stoke line opened.
Coronation Scot record
On 29 June 1937 the Coronation Scot engine created a world record of 115 mph while travelling through Whitmore station giving it world-wide fame.
Buildings and location
Whitmore station was located off Whitmore road in Baldwins Gate Village. The site of the station can still be seen when the tracks part, showing a grassy area were platforms could have been. A more likely location of the platform is where a siding of road comes down near the track, this could have led to a platform. One station building can still be seen: a building, next to a bridge spanning the track, is in the definite style of ticket office. This means that passengers could buy tickets, then wait or read information before heading down a side road to the platform.
Impact of the station
The station itself was one of the key factors affecting how Baldwins Gate village was laid out. Only two shops are in the village, and they are both situated next to the line. The line led to land being sold on each side, so the village expanded, and its appearance today is because of the impact of the railway and Station.
Closure
However Whitmore station slowly began to get less and less business and in 1952 the station was closed.