Image Licensing : Kemble Station, Gloucestershire, c. 1940s

EDITORS COMMENTS

In this evocative photograph taken at Kemble Station in the heart of Gloucestershire during the 1940s, we witness a moment frozen in time as the Cirencester Branch line converges towards Swindon. The station, which opened in 1872, stands proudly amidst the verdant countryside, its red-brick buildings and platforms dwarfed by the vast expanse of the limestone bridge that spans the railway tracks. The bridge, a testament to the engineering prowess of the era, is now a Grade II listed structure. Its intricate design, with its graceful arches and ornate detailing, adds a sense of grandeur and elegance to the scene. The station itself, along with the water tank, was granted listed status in 1986, ensuring that this piece of railway history is preserved for future generations. As steam trains puff their way towards each other on the junction, the platform bustles with activity. Passengers, bundled up against the chill of the English air, wait impatiently for their trains to arrive. The stationmaster, clad in his distinctive uniform, goes about his duties with practiced ease. The scene is one of hustle and bustle, of the rhythmic clatter of trains and the hiss of steam. This photograph captures the essence of a bygone era, a time when travel by rail was an adventure, a time when the sights, sounds, and smells of the railway were an integral part of everyday life. It is a snapshot of history, a reminder of the rich heritage that the railways of Gloucestershire, and indeed the entire country, have left behind.