Kempston And Elstow Halt Railway Station
History
Kempston & Elstow was one of three halts opened by the London and North Western Railway in 1905 between Stewartby and Bedford. Their opening coincided with the introduction of a steam railmotor on the Varsity Line, and each was conveniently sited alongside a level crossing. Kempston Halt, as it was known until 1908, was constructed close to "Cow Bridge", an old road bridge which carried the present A421 over a tributary of the River Great Ouse. All three halts were opened on the same day and all were simultaneously temporarily closed as a First World War economy measure in 1917, reopening two years later only to close again in 1941 during the Second World War. This time, however, only one – Kempston Hardwick – was to reopen, the others officially closing as from February 1949.
The crossing near the station was staffed by a crossing keeper from 1846 to 1868 when the diversion of the road by the Midland Railway led to the removal of the crossing. A railway crossing cottage had been provided for the use of the keeper, and was later used by a porter from Kempston & Elstow Halt. Today it is located near the Kempston Interchange Park and the station building can still be seen from the B530.
| Preceding station | Disused railways | Following station | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Hardwick | British Railways Varsity Line |
Bedford St Johns |
Present day
Nothing remains of the halt, yet the crossing keeper's cottage still remains as a private dwelling.
References
- ^ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Sparkford, ISBN 1-85260-508-1, p. 130.
- ^ Clinker, C.R. (October 1978). Clinker's Register of Closed Passenger Stations and Goods Depots in England, Scotland and Wales 1830-1977. Bristol: Avon-AngliA Publications & Services. p. 164. ISBN 0-905466-19-5.
- ^ Simpson, Bill (1981). Oxford to Cambridge Railway. Poole, Dorset: Oxford Publishing Co. p. 69. ISBN 0-86093-121-8.
- ^ Simpson, B., p. 71.
- ^ "Interchange Retail Park – Bedford". www.interchangeretailpark.co.uk. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ Simpson, B., p. 69.