Southampton Terminus railway station
Encyclopedia
Southampton Terminus railway station served the docks and city centre
of Southampton
, England
. The station was first authorized on the 25 July 1834, it began as the terminus of the London and South Western Railway
(which was the London and Southampton Railway until the line opened). The station opened on 10 June 1839 as "Southampton", although it was not officially operational until 11 May 1840, due to the track not being fully linked between Winchester
and Basingstoke
.
The former terminus station was built in 1839-40 for the London & Southampton Railway, to the design of Sir William Tite. The LSWR added the large South Western Hotel which rather dwarfs the station. The line was later extended into the Ocean Dock Terminal to allow boat trains to terminate on the quayside.
and Basingstoke
, the Southampton and London Railway company renamed itself the London and South Western Railway. When it opened it was the only station in the area and so called "Southampton". Initially it had two platforms and an engine shed.
The station did not originally handle passenger services because of a dispute over running rights. To overcome this, a small open platform at Northam Road, opened. Access was from Bridge Road Level Crossing which was demolished in 1882 when the new "Central Bridge" was built. This still stands to this day as a major route into Southampton from Woolston
; at either end of the bridge is a plaque dedicated to the railway.
In 1847 engine sheds and a turntable were built.
During July 1858 Southampton was renamed "Southampton Docks" to distinguish it from "Southampton West" Railway Station. A few years later during the 1860s, additional sidings and sheds were built, followed by the "Imperial Hotel". Standing at the most southern end of the station this was later renamed as "South Western Hotel", and still stands today as "South Western House" after being converted into private flats.
More development took place during the early 1870s when land opposite (eastern side) the station was purchased, which allowed the railway to expand. Much larger goods sidings, a telegraph office and buildings for shipping businesses where built. At the same time the platforms were extended.
London South-Western Railway purchased more land during 1876, located north of Southampton Terminus, and built new locomotive work sheds and a turntable. Three new platforms, two arranged as an island
were opened 1891. Additionally the goods and parcel yard which were located at St. Lawrence Road were improved.
In 1895 the old 1847 engine sheds were still heavily in use but as demand rose for goods, they were converted into a one road depot for freight trains. The original turntable was replaced with a open turntable which had radiating roads, coal stage, water columns and crew bothy
. Over the years the turntable was improving all the time and eventually became a 70 feet (21 m) vacuum turntable, which was eventually closed and removed in September 1966.
During September 1896 the station was again renamed to "Southampton Town & Docks", later changing to "Southampton Town for Docks" in November 1912 and finally being renamed to "Southampton Terminus" on 9 July 1923,
As road transport became more common the platforms at Southampton Terminus began to shrink, first to accommodate a private road between the railway station and the hotel. To make the station more comfortable for its uses, a glass canopy was erected in 1924. Two years later in 1926 a new parcel and mail offices were built. Around this time the station platform numbers were reversed and numbered to left to right when originally they were numbered right to left.
In the early 1900s, Southampton Terminus saw a high increase in traffic from several locations like Reading
, , London
, Portsmouth
and by 1905 traffic from the Great Western Railway
via the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
.
Southampton Terminus is also remembered for being the station that saw many passengers of RMS Titanic pass through it. Many of the RMS Titanic's wealthy First Class passengers stayed in the South Western Hotel next to Southampton Terminus until they boarded for their disastrous journey.
The station closed for passengers and parcels on 5 September 1966 prior to electrification between London Waterloo and Bournemouth
when neither Northam Railway Station or Southampton Terminus were included in the upgrade. The mail offices closed the following year in December 1967, the parcel and mail offices being transferred to Southampton Central
. By December 1968 most of the track work in had already been taken up. In 1970 the remaining signal box and track work was removed and the running lines filled in to platform level to act as a car park.
, by Sir William Tite
, is a Grade II* listed building and is used as a casino
by Stanley Casinos.
An engine shed was opened in Southampton Docks, by the Southapton Docks Railway Company in 1865. It was rebuilt in 1879, and taken over by the London and South Western Railway in 1892. The building was enlarged and re-roofed by the Southern Railway
during the 1930s and rebuilt by British Railways in 1955. It was officially closed in January 1966, but remained in use until July 1967.
The Southern Railway opened an outdoor locomotive servicing facility in the New Docks in 1933 and added a turntable in 1949. This remained in use until 1966.
is now the main railway station in Southampton.
The former Terminus station building still stands, the South Western Hotel having been converted into apartments and the main station building into a casino. The private road into what would be the platforms is still there, but is now a car park. Of the platforms, all that remains is the glass canopy and a single line that runs from Northam junction to the docks.
Train Company, their plans included building a new rail-link using the current remaining track by St. Marys Stadium and as far as the Waterfront, which is now safe guarded by Southampton City Council for future rail links. This would have allowed trains to go from Southampton Waterfront to East Anglia
without the need to change at London
. It was also hoped it would reduce the traffic around Southampton with a local commuter line linking the Waterfront to Romsey
, Halterworth and Chandler's Ford
, the plan failed to come about for reasons unknown.
Southampton City Council has safeguarded the remaining land for future use to build a small railway station on the former down line at Canute Road level crossing, opposite the former Southampton Terminus railway station, the project is named TI4 Waterfront Station.
Southampton City Centre
Southampton City Centre is the commercial and organisational centre of the City of Southampton, and the transport hub of the city. Because Southampton is on the South Coast of England, the city centre is not at the geometric centre of the city, but at the southern extremity.The traditional heart...
of Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The station was first authorized on the 25 July 1834, it began as the terminus of the London and South Western Railway
London and South Western Railway
The London and South Western Railway was a railway company in England from 1838 to 1922. Its network extended from London to Plymouth via Salisbury and Exeter, with branches to Ilfracombe and Padstow and via Southampton to Bournemouth and Weymouth. It also had many routes connecting towns in...
(which was the London and Southampton Railway until the line opened). The station opened on 10 June 1839 as "Southampton", although it was not officially operational until 11 May 1840, due to the track not being fully linked between Winchester
Winchester railway station
Winchester railway station is a railway station located in Winchester in the county of Hampshire in England. It is located on the South Western Main Line and was originally known as Winchester City to distinguish it from Winchester station....
and Basingstoke
Basingstoke railway station
Basingstoke railway station, in the town of Basingstoke in the county of Hampshire in England, is on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo, with local and fast services operated by South West Trains. It is also the terminus of First Great Western local services on the Reading to...
.
The former terminus station was built in 1839-40 for the London & Southampton Railway, to the design of Sir William Tite. The LSWR added the large South Western Hotel which rather dwarfs the station. The line was later extended into the Ocean Dock Terminal to allow boat trains to terminate on the quayside.
History
During the building of the track between WinchesterWinchester railway station
Winchester railway station is a railway station located in Winchester in the county of Hampshire in England. It is located on the South Western Main Line and was originally known as Winchester City to distinguish it from Winchester station....
and Basingstoke
Basingstoke railway station
Basingstoke railway station, in the town of Basingstoke in the county of Hampshire in England, is on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo, with local and fast services operated by South West Trains. It is also the terminus of First Great Western local services on the Reading to...
, the Southampton and London Railway company renamed itself the London and South Western Railway. When it opened it was the only station in the area and so called "Southampton". Initially it had two platforms and an engine shed.
The station did not originally handle passenger services because of a dispute over running rights. To overcome this, a small open platform at Northam Road, opened. Access was from Bridge Road Level Crossing which was demolished in 1882 when the new "Central Bridge" was built. This still stands to this day as a major route into Southampton from Woolston
Woolston
Woolston is a civil parish in the borough of Warrington, in the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It has a population of 7,868. It was the birthplace of Old Billy, the oldest horse that ever lived ....
; at either end of the bridge is a plaque dedicated to the railway.
In 1847 engine sheds and a turntable were built.
During July 1858 Southampton was renamed "Southampton Docks" to distinguish it from "Southampton West" Railway Station. A few years later during the 1860s, additional sidings and sheds were built, followed by the "Imperial Hotel". Standing at the most southern end of the station this was later renamed as "South Western Hotel", and still stands today as "South Western House" after being converted into private flats.
More development took place during the early 1870s when land opposite (eastern side) the station was purchased, which allowed the railway to expand. Much larger goods sidings, a telegraph office and buildings for shipping businesses where built. At the same time the platforms were extended.
London South-Western Railway purchased more land during 1876, located north of Southampton Terminus, and built new locomotive work sheds and a turntable. Three new platforms, two arranged as an island
Island platform
An island platform is a station layout arrangement where a single platform is positioned between two tracks within a railway station, tram stop or transitway interchange...
were opened 1891. Additionally the goods and parcel yard which were located at St. Lawrence Road were improved.
In 1895 the old 1847 engine sheds were still heavily in use but as demand rose for goods, they were converted into a one road depot for freight trains. The original turntable was replaced with a open turntable which had radiating roads, coal stage, water columns and crew bothy
Bothy
A bothy is a basic shelter, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge. It was also a term for basic accommodation, usually for gardeners or other workers on an estate. Bothies are to be found in remote, mountainous areas of Scotland, northern England, Ireland, and Wales....
. Over the years the turntable was improving all the time and eventually became a 70 feet (21 m) vacuum turntable, which was eventually closed and removed in September 1966.
During September 1896 the station was again renamed to "Southampton Town & Docks", later changing to "Southampton Town for Docks" in November 1912 and finally being renamed to "Southampton Terminus" on 9 July 1923,
As road transport became more common the platforms at Southampton Terminus began to shrink, first to accommodate a private road between the railway station and the hotel. To make the station more comfortable for its uses, a glass canopy was erected in 1924. Two years later in 1926 a new parcel and mail offices were built. Around this time the station platform numbers were reversed and numbered to left to right when originally they were numbered right to left.
In the early 1900s, Southampton Terminus saw a high increase in traffic from several locations like Reading
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, , London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
and by 1905 traffic from the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
via the Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway
The Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway was a cross-country railway running north-south between Didcot, Newbury and Southampton although it actually reached the latter by running over the London and South Western Railway tracks from Shawford Junction, south of Winchester...
.
Southampton Terminus is also remembered for being the station that saw many passengers of RMS Titanic pass through it. Many of the RMS Titanic's wealthy First Class passengers stayed in the South Western Hotel next to Southampton Terminus until they boarded for their disastrous journey.
The station closed for passengers and parcels on 5 September 1966 prior to electrification between London Waterloo and Bournemouth
Bournemouth railway station
Bournemouth railway station, originally known as Bournemouth East and then Bournemouth Central , is the main railway station serving the town of Bournemouth in Dorset, England. It is located on the South Western Main Line from London Waterloo to Weymouth...
when neither Northam Railway Station or Southampton Terminus were included in the upgrade. The mail offices closed the following year in December 1967, the parcel and mail offices being transferred to Southampton Central
Southampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
. By December 1968 most of the track work in had already been taken up. In 1970 the remaining signal box and track work was removed and the running lines filled in to platform level to act as a car park.
Architecture
The main building in the Italianate styleItalianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
, by Sir William Tite
William Tite
Sir William Tite, CB was an English architect who served as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He was particularly associated with various London buildings, with railway stations and cemetery projects....
, is a Grade II* listed building and is used as a casino
Casino
In modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
by Stanley Casinos.
Motive Power Depots
There have been a number of motive power depots situated at Southampton Terminus Station and nearby in Southampton Docks. The first of these was opened 10 June 1839 by the London and Southampton Railway, but was soon demolished due to track widening. This was replaced by another structure adjacent to the goods shed, but this was closed in 1895. It was replaced by an outdoor servicing facility north of the station, which included a turntable coal stage and offices. These remained open until 1966.An engine shed was opened in Southampton Docks, by the Southapton Docks Railway Company in 1865. It was rebuilt in 1879, and taken over by the London and South Western Railway in 1892. The building was enlarged and re-roofed by the Southern Railway
Southern Railway (Great Britain)
The Southern Railway was a British railway company established in the 1923 Grouping. It linked London with the Channel ports, South West England, South coast resorts and Kent...
during the 1930s and rebuilt by British Railways in 1955. It was officially closed in January 1966, but remained in use until July 1967.
The Southern Railway opened an outdoor locomotive servicing facility in the New Docks in 1933 and added a turntable in 1949. This remained in use until 1966.
Today
Southampton CentralSouthampton Central railway station
Southampton Central railway station is a main line railway station serving the city of Southampton in Hampshire, southern England. It is on the Wessex Main Line, the South Western Main Line and the West Coastway Line...
is now the main railway station in Southampton.
The former Terminus station building still stands, the South Western Hotel having been converted into apartments and the main station building into a casino. The private road into what would be the platforms is still there, but is now a car park. Of the platforms, all that remains is the glass canopy and a single line that runs from Northam junction to the docks.
Plans for a future railway station
A £10 million pound plan was put forward in 1999 to reopen Southampton Terminus and Northam Station, which was to have been controlled by East Anglia RailwaysAnglia Railways
Anglia Railways was a British train operating company, owned by GB Railways, which between 5 January 1997 and 31 March 2004 operated mainline trains out of London Liverpool Street station and a number of local rail services in East Anglia....
Train Company, their plans included building a new rail-link using the current remaining track by St. Marys Stadium and as far as the Waterfront, which is now safe guarded by Southampton City Council for future rail links. This would have allowed trains to go from Southampton Waterfront to East Anglia
East Anglia
East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...
without the need to change at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. It was also hoped it would reduce the traffic around Southampton with a local commuter line linking the Waterfront to Romsey
Romsey
Romsey is a small market town in the county of Hampshire, England.It is 8 miles northwest of Southampton and 11 miles southwest of Winchester, neighbouring the village of North Baddesley...
, Halterworth and Chandler's Ford
Chandler's Ford
Chandler's Ford is a largely residential area and civil parish in the Borough of Eastleigh in Hampshire, England, with a population of 20,071 in the 2001 UK Census....
, the plan failed to come about for reasons unknown.
Southampton City Council has safeguarded the remaining land for future use to build a small railway station on the former down line at Canute Road level crossing, opposite the former Southampton Terminus railway station, the project is named TI4 Waterfront Station.