Railways were expanding far and wide, and it was not long before a double track broad gauge extension line was extended from Newbury to Hungerford. This was 'Berkshire and Hampshire Railway', and the first station, a terminus building, was opened on 21st December, 1847.

In 1859, a local company proposed the building of what became the 'Berkshire and Hampshire Extension Railway', a 24 mile extension of single track onward from Hungerford westwards to Seend near Devizes, where it was to link with a branch of the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway. The line was opened in November 1862, and its construction had a considerable effect on the appearance of Hungerford. In the first place, the original terminus station was altered to allow through traffic, and for the first time the broad High Street was spanned by a railway bridge (later replaced in 1896 when the line was converted to double track). A high embankment was built through the very heart of the town, and three more bridges were built, in Croft Lane, Parsonage Lane, and Marsh Lane (all later enlarged to carry the double track).
^ top ^
In 1874 the line was changed from broad gauge to the new standard gauge. The Parish magazine records that "Hundreds of labourers have been engaged for the last fortnight in effecting the change from broad to narrow gauge on the Hungerford Branch of the Great Western Railway, the Berks and Hants, and Wilts and Somerset Railways. For five days the traffic was entirely suspended between Hungerford and Marlborough and Devizes; and on Sunday, June 28, the line was entirely closed. It is hoped that the ordinary service of trains will be resumed on Saturday, July 4."

On Wednesday 28th July 1875 "the first sod of the Swindon, Marlborough, and Andover Railway was turned - with the usual ceremony and much local rejoicing". It was anticipated that the new line would benefit Hungerford by giving better rail access to Gloucester and Birmingham to the north, and to Southampton in the south. It was anticipated that the Railway would be completed by the end of 1877. In fact the Marlborough to Swindon line did not open until August 1881.

In 1881 the Great Western Railway Company applied to Parliament for a Bill to authorise the purchase of the Railway of the Berks and Hants Extension Company, between Hungerford and Devizes. The resulting merger brought about the doubling of the line between Hungerford and Devizes, which eventually was achieved in 1896.
^ top ^
The line from Savernake to Andover opened on Tuesday 4th April 1882, the line from Newbury to Didcot on Wednesday 12th April 1882.

In November 1882 the community became aware that the doubling of the track to Devizes would necessitate the rebuilding of the High Street "Railway Bridge which at present disfigures the High Street; and it is to be hoped that timely steps will be taken to induce the Railway Company to erect a structure more worthy of its position in the principle Street in the Town of Hungerford".

Application was made by the GWR in December 1882 to make a railway from Woodborough to Westbury, and from Castle Cary to Langport, "so as to render the line through Hungerford the most direct route to the West of England."

In January 1886 the Parish Magazine reported that "Messrs Smith & Sons have lately opened a temporary Book and Newspaper Stall at our Railway Station with a view to ascertain whether there is sufficient demand to induce them to provide permanent accommodation of the kind."

Most of the station buildings were demolished in 1964, and no sign of the original G.W.R. station now remains.
^ top ^
In 1966 the railway bridge across the High Street, said to be the longest single-span bridge on the Western region, was replaced.

In the early morning of Wednesday 10th November 1971, a goods train from Westbury to Theale, with 41 wagons containing 1000 tons of stone, was derailed whilst on the high embankment just west of the High Street bridge. Most of the wagons piled together at the station, and the signal box was nearly demolished. Despite such a catastrophic crash, it is remarkable that no-one was injured, although the signalman, Bob Bowden, was trapped in his signal box for over half an hour until rescued by firemen. After the crash, a temporary box was built on the west end of the up platform, but this too was removed when colour light signals replaced semaphore signals in July 1978.

See also:
- Parish magazine, esp Jul 1874, Jul 1875, Aug 1881, Dec 1881, Nov 1882, Dec 1882, Jan 1886.
^ top ^

"The last GWR broad gauge train", 1874

Hungerford station, c1892
The original G.W.R. broad gauge track was changed to standard gauge in July 1874, but this photograph still shows the track laid on longitudinal sleepers, rather than the more familiar type seen today. This view looking west towards the town shows the station building (on the "down" platform) before the footbridge was built

Alexander Bros. 10-ton open coal wagon No. 37, made by Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Works, Co. Ltd., in their Midland Works at Birmingham for use on the Great Western Railway.

Hungerford station, c1916
Railway staff are standing on the "down" platform with a pile of wicker baskets, possibly watercress crates, for which there was a very busy trade from Hungerford.

G.W.R. bus service, c.1910.
To improve the service to nearby towns and villages not served by the railway, GWR provided a bus connection service. Shown here is GWR service no. 29, the Marlborough to Hungerford bus, which was routed via Ramsbury. The bus is a 20hp Milnes Daimler, first registered in Cornwall in August 1905. The Hungerford-Marlborough service started in October 1909, and was extended to a Hungerford-Swindon service in October 1911.

Steam railcar at Hungerford c.1912.
In 1902 new station buildings were built to serve the 'up' platform, these being linked to the main station building by a footbridge. This photograph shows a steam railcar – incorporating engine and carriage in a single unit. The idea was never very successful, probably because of the limited amount of seating available.

The Stationmaster and staff, c1905

In October 1912 King George V visited Sir John Ward at Chilton Lodge. The proposed visit captured the enthusiasm of the whole town, which set about the task of preparing and decorating the town with enormous energy. This photograph shows Mr. Frank Hunt, the station-master of the G.W.R. station, with his staff (no fewer than 26 men at the time).

The Constable and Feoffees. The town officials were all on parade to welcome His Majesty, and are photographed here at the railway station awaiting his arrival. They include (from left to right) Edward Bushnell (Town Crier), Francis Church (landlord of the Three Swans Hotel), Thomas Freeman (tobacconist), George Platt (brewer), Thomas Alexander, Henry Astley, John Adnams (Constable, corn and seed merchant), George Wren, Alfred Allright, Thomas Walter Alexander (grocer), Louis Beard (coal merchant, in Burberry coat), William Mapson (watchmaker), and (on the extreme right) Frank Hunt (station-master).

The King on his way to the station. The day of the King's departure from Hungerford was spoiled by heavy rain. Despite this, the band (on the left) played on, and a large crowd came to cheer. Sadly the profusion of umbrellas must have reduced the view considerably. The King's journey to Hungerford had been non-stop from Paddington, and one hour and ten minutes, arriving at 7.15pm. He left at 10.40am on Saturday 26 October.

Hungerford West signal box, c1912

Track changes 1898-1973

Railwaymens' Supper 1912

 Hungerford Station, looking east, 1946