Image Licensing : Adlestrop Station, Gloucestershire, July 1958

EDITORS COMMENTS

In this evocative photograph taken in July 1958, Adlestrop Station in Gloucestershire stands as a silent testament to a bygone era. The image, facing north towards Moreton-in-Marsh, captures the deserted station in the languid summer of the 1950s. The station building, with its red-brick facade and quaint charm, is the focal point of the scene. Beyond it, the goods shed, its doors wide open, is a reminder of the industrial activity that once thrived here. Nestled in the picturesque Cotswolds, Adlestrop Station opened its doors to passengers in 1853. This charming railway halt, with its tranquil surroundings, was a popular stop for travelers seeking a respite from their journeys. However, by the late 1950s, the station's days were numbered. The photograph captures the station in its final years before its inevitable closure. The station building was demolished in 1966, and the signal box, which can be seen just behind the goods shed, closed the year before in 1964. The image thus stands as a poignant reminder of a time when steam trains ruled the rails and small, rural stations like Adlestrop were an integral part of the fabric of everyday life. Today, this photograph is a cherished part of the collection at the Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, preserving the memory of Adlestrop Station and the era it represents.