Shackerstone railway station

Shackerstone railway station stands in the village of Shackerstone in Leicestershire, a preserved railway station and heritage museum. It serves as the terminus and headquarters of the Battlefield Line Railway, with the Shackerstone Railwayana Museum, tea room, shop, loco shed and main rolling stock located here. The Ashby Canal runs nearby, adding to the setting. The station was designed by John Holloway Sanders for the Midland Railway company. It became a grade II listed building in 1989, recognising its historical significance. The station’s position made it strategically important for the operation of the line. The station is worth the journey for its role in railway history and its royal connections. In December 1902, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra arrived here in the LNWR Royal Train on their way to Gopsall Hall. The station’s platform was altered to ease the alightment of royal passengers, creating the ‘platform hump’ still visible today. The station was also the headquarters of inspector Manning, who oversaw the line’s operation and earned a higher wage than other staff. Its construction cost around £3,500, with the stationmaster’s house adding £350. The station was built by Messrs. J. & E. Woods of Derby as part of a larger contract. A visitor finds a lively heritage railway environment with the Railwayana Museum, tea room, and shop. The loco shed, signposted from Platform 1, houses many locomotives and includes a workshop and stores. The shed has two key areas: the running shed with an inspection pit and a storage area for long-term projects. Parts of the shed were repurposed from local NCB buildings and even a Nuneaton cinema. The goods yard and nearby Ashby Canal add to the station’s character. The railway has also announced plans for a new engine shed to further develop the site.