Petworth railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Petworth
Location	Petworth, Chichester, West Sussex England
Platforms	1
Other information
Status	Disused
History
Pre-grouping	London, Brighton and South Coast Railway
Post-grouping	Southern Railway Southern Region of British Railways
Key dates
10 October 1859	Station opened
1892	Rebuilt
5 February 1955	Station closed (passengers)
20 May 1966	Station closed (freight)

Petworth railway station was a train station that used to serve the town of Petworth in West Sussex, England. It was located about two miles (3 km) away from the town itself. Today, it is no longer used for trains, but the old station building has found a new purpose!

What Was Petworth Station?

Petworth station was part of a special railway line. This line was a "branch line," which means it was a smaller line that branched off from a main railway route. It connected the towns of Pulborough and Midhurst. The station was built by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway company.

Where Was It Located?

The station was situated on a single track railway line. This meant only one train could travel on the track at a time in a particular section. To allow trains to pass each other, the station had a special section called a passing loop. This was an extra piece of track where one train could wait while another passed by.

How Did It Look?

Petworth station had just one platform where passengers would wait to get on or off trains. Besides the platform, there was also a signal box. A signal box is a small building where railway workers controlled the train signals and points (the movable parts of the track that guide trains). The station also had facilities for handling goods or freight, which are items carried by trains instead of people.

The main station building was made of wood and had one story. It was rebuilt around 1892 and featured some nice architectural details.

Its Journey Through Time

Opening and Expansion

The railway line first opened to Petworth station on 10 October 1859. This brought train travel to the area for the first time. A few years later, in 1866, the line was extended further west to the town of Midhurst.

Rebuilding and Closure

As mentioned, the station building was rebuilt in 1892, giving it a fresh look. However, like many smaller stations, Petworth eventually closed. It stopped taking passengers on 5 February 1955. This decision was made by the Southern Region of British Railways. A few years later, on 20 May 1966, the station also stopped handling freight traffic. After this, the railway line was no longer used.

What Is It Now?

After the station closed, the building was given a new life. It was turned into a guest house, a place where people can stay overnight, similar to a small hotel or bed and breakfast.

Interestingly, some old Pullman lounge cars have been moved to the site. Pullman cars were fancy, comfortable train carriages, often used for dining or lounging. These particular cars have been changed into camping coaches. This means they are now used as unique sleeping places for visitors, offering a fun and different way to stay. They were brought here all the way from Marazion in Cornwall.