Gileston railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gileston
The former station building in 2009
Location	Gileston, Vale of Glamorgan Wales
Coordinates	51°23′52″N 3°24′51″W / 51.3979°N 3.4141°W / 51.3979; -3.4141
Platforms	2
Other information
Status	Disused
History
Original company	Barry Railway
Post-grouping	Great Western Railway
Key dates
1 December 1897	station opened
15 June 1964	station closed

Gileston railway station was a train station that used to serve the small village of Gileston in South Wales. It was an important part of the local community for many years.

What Gileston Station Looked Like

Gileston station had two platforms, which are the raised areas where people wait for trains. There was a main building on one of the platforms. This building was made from red bricks with yellow corners.

A metal bridge connected the two platforms, making it easy for passengers to cross. Later on, a wooden roof (called a canopy) was added to the other platform. This was because more people started using the train when RAF St Athan (a Royal Air Force base) opened nearby. The station also had a small area called a goods yard, used for loading and unloading items from trains.

How the Station Got Its Name

When the station was first being planned, people weren't sure what to call it. They often used both 'Gileston' and 'St Athan' as possible names. The name 'Gileston' wasn't officially decided until 1896.

Later in its life, the station's signs sometimes read 'Gileston for St Athan'. These signs stayed up until the station closed. However, most people usually just called it Gileston.

When Gileston Station Closed

Gileston station closed its doors when passenger train services on its line stopped in 1964. Even though the Vale of Glamorgan Line has since reopened for passengers, a new station has not been built at Gileston.