Tintern railway station facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tintern Station
A view of the restored station and signal box.
Location	Tintern, Monmouthshire Wales
Platforms	3
Other information
Status	Disused
History
Original company	Wye Valley Railway.
Pre-grouping	Great Western Railway
Key dates
November 1876	Station opened
1912	Station renamed 'for Brockweir'
January 1959	Station closed to passengers
January 1964	Station closed completely

Tintern railway station was once a busy train station in the village of Tintern, located in Monmouthshire, Wales. It was part of the Wye Valley Railway line. The station first opened its doors in 1876.

Trains stopped carrying passengers at Tintern in 1959. Then, in 1964, the station closed completely, and the entire railway line was shut down. Tintern was the second biggest station on the Wye Valley line, with Monmouth Troy railway station being the largest.

A train carrying stone in 1963, pulled by a steam engine, leaving Tintern station and heading south.

History of Tintern Station

When Did Tintern Station Open?

Tintern station officially opened on November 1, 1876. It was one of the first four stations built along the Wye Valley Railway line.

What Was Tintern Station Like?

This station was quite large for its time. It had a special building called a signal box, which controlled the train signals. There were also sidings, which are extra tracks where trains could park or wait. A goods shed was used for storing items that were being shipped by train.

The main station building was where passengers bought tickets and waited. Tintern station had three platforms, which are the raised areas where people get on and off trains. Two of these were "island platforms," meaning they had tracks on both sides. There was also a section of double track, allowing trains to pass each other without waiting.

The railway company made Tintern station so big because they hoped many tourists would visit the famous Tintern Abbey nearby. They expected to earn a lot of money from these visitors.

What Were Camping Coaches?

From 1935 to 1939, the Great Western Railway (GWR) placed a special "camping coach" at Tintern station. Imagine a train carriage that was turned into a small holiday home! People could rent these coaches and stay right at the station for their vacations. Another camping coach was used here by the Western Region of British Railways from 1956 to 1962.

Tintern Station Today

How Was the Station Saved?

After the station closed, the local county council in Monmouthshire bought the Old Station Tintern for £1,500. They decided to fix it up and turn it into a place for visitors to enjoy.

What Can You Do at the Old Station Tintern?

Today, the Old Station Tintern is a popular visitor attraction. You can find a cafe there, perfect for a snack or drink. There's also an exhibition that teaches you about the history of the railway. You can even watch a movie about the railway inside one of the old train carriages that has been moved back to the station.

In Spring 2010, Monmouthshire County Council replaced the old railway carriages with two newly refurbished ones. These new carriages now house a shop, a tourism information center, and an exhibition called "Destination Wye Valley." This project is part of a larger £2.8 million plan called "Overlooking the Wye," which helps protect and restore various historical sites in the lower Wye Valley.