Rights Managed > Historic England
Image Licensing : Station Master BB98_05551
Image Downloads From Historic England
Station Master BB98_05551
STATION MASTER, Finmere Station, Oxfordshire. In 1898-99 the Great Central Railway Company (formed 1897) created a main railway route from Sheffield through Nottingham and Leicester to London. Here the stationmaster at Finmere Station is pictured in 1904 in full railway uniform. The line was closed 1966-69 and subsequently was largely dismantled. Photographed by Alfred Newton and Son. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 5768979
Filename: BB98_05551.jpg
Size: 3764 x 5027 (8.8MB)
Date: 11th November 2011
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: English Heritage Images
Owner URL: www.englishheritageimages.com
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> More features > Father's Day
> Historic Images > Historic Images 1920s to 1940s > Photos of Edwardian England
> The way we were > Victoriana > Victorian people and costumes
SECURE PAYMENTS
We accept all major payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
Made in USA
Safe Shipping, Easy Returns
FREE PERSONALISATION
We are proud to offer a range of customisation including Cropping, Captions, and Filters. Zoom Cropping can be adjusted in the basket
FREE COLORIZATION
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative black-and-white photograph, taken by S W A Newton of Alfred Newton and Son in 1904, we catch a glimpse of the daily routine at Finmere Station in Oxfordshire during the Edwardian era. The image captures the stationmaster in his full railway uniform, exuding a sense of authority and pride as he goes about his duties. The year 1898-99 marked a significant moment in British railway history with the creation of the Great Central Railway Company. This new railway line, formed in 1897, aimed to establish a main route from Sheffield through Nottingham and Leicester to London. The arrival of the railway brought about considerable change to Finmere Station and the surrounding community, connecting them to the wider network and opening up new opportunities for travel and commerce. The stationmaster, with his stern yet approachable expression, appears poised to oversee the comings and goings of passengers and freight. His meticulously pressed uniform, complete with cap, epaulets, and badges, underscores the importance of his role in the efficient operation of the railway. Unfortunately, the golden age of the railway did not last forever. By the 1960s, the line through Finmere Station had been closed, and the infrastructure was largely dismantled. Today, this photograph serves as a poignant reminder of a bygone era, when the railway played a central role in the lives of communities across the country. It invites us to reflect on the rich history of rail travel and the people who dedicated their lives to ensuring the smooth running of the network.