Shackerstone railway station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shackerstone
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|---|---|
| Station on heritage railway | |
| Location | Shackerstone, Hinckley and Bosworth England |
| Coordinates | 52°39′20″N 1°26′29″W / 52.6555°N 1.4413°W |
| Platforms | 2 |
| Key dates | |
| 1873 | opened |
| 1931 | passenger service withdrawn |
| 1965 | completely closed |
Shackerstone railway station is a special old train station in the village of Shackerstone, Leicestershire, England. It's like a living museum where you can see old trains! This station is the main hub for the Battlefield Line Railway, which is a 'heritage railway'. This means it's a railway that keeps old trains running for people to enjoy. At Shackerstone, you'll find the Shackerstone Railwayana Museum, a cozy tea room, a shop, and where the old train engines (locos) are kept and fixed.
The Ashby Canal is very close by.
Contents
The Story of Shackerstone Station
Shackerstone station was planned to be built right where it stands today. The land for the station was bought from a local landowner, Lord Howe. The station was designed by John Holloway Sanders, an architect who worked for the Midland Railway company.
Shackerstone was a very important station for the railway line. It was even the main office for the railway's inspector, Mr. Manning. This shows how key its location was for running the trains.
A Royal Visit to Shackerstone
In December 1902, something exciting happened! King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra arrived at the station in their special Royal Train. They were on their way to Gopsall Hall, a grand house nearby.
The station platform was made a bit higher to make it easier for the King and Queen to step off the train. However, when they arrived, the King's exit door didn't open! The royal party had to use a different door further down the train. You can still see this raised part of the platform today, and it's sometimes called the 'platform hump'.
In 1989, Shackerstone station was given a special status. It became a 'Grade II listed building'. This means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Exploring the Train Sheds
The loco shed is where the old train engines are kept and repaired. You can find it by following the signs from Platform 1. It's just a short walk from the station, through what used to be the goods yard. For safety reasons, some parts of the shed and workshops are closed to visitors.
The shed is made up of different parts from old local buildings, including sections from a former coal board building and even a cinema!
What's Inside the Sheds?
The shed has many different locomotives inside. It's divided into two main areas. The biggest area is the "running shed." This is where trains that are currently in use or being prepared are kept. It has an inspection pit, which is a trench that allows workers to look at the underside of the locomotives.
The second area has two tracks at the south end of the shed. This part is mostly used for storing trains that are undergoing long-term repairs or restoration projects.
In early 2023, the railway announced plans to build a brand new engine shed. As of August 2025, they are still working on raising money for this exciting project.
