Brunel's GWR London to Bristol: Some years earlier, in 1835, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway Act had been passed, and such was the speed of railway construction that the main line from London to Bristol was fully open by June 1841. However, this was the line through Didcot and Swindon - many miles north of Hungerford.

The Berks & Hants Railway: Railways were expanding far and wide, and it was not long before a line from Reading through Newbury to Hungerford was proposed. This "Berks & Hants Railway" received Royal Assent in 1845.

Land had to be acquired from a variety of private owners, including John Matthews, William Tours, George Martin, George Earl, George Willes, John Satchell Rev. Charles Townsend, John Rees, Thomas Longford, George B. Cundell, Mary Spearing, and Henry A. Cundell.

In addition, of course, land on the Common had to be acquired from the "Borough and Manor of Hungerford", and a meeting of all Commoners was arranged in the Town Hall on Tuesday 24th February 1846. Those present agreed that the sale should go ahead.

A double track broad gauge extension line was extended from Newbury to Hungerford, and the new  terminus station (with the adjacent turntable) was opened on 21st December, 1847.

The Berks & Hants Extension Railway: In 1859, a local company proposed the building of what became the 'Berks and Hants 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).

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Station fire, 1867: On Saturday morning 16th November 1867 the buildings on the down platform were found to be on fire, and as they were composed chiefly of wood and canvas, were soon reduced to the ground although the local fire brigade had attended.

Switch from broad to standard gauge: In 1874 the line (from Hungerford to Holt Junction) 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.". It was!

Swindon, Marlborough & Andover Railway: 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.

The line from Savernake to Andover opened on Tuesday 4th April 1882, the line from Newbury to Didcot on Wednesday 12th April 1882.

Snow blocks the line: In 1881 the line through Hungerford was completely blocked by snow for two days.

From single to double track: 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.

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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."

Messrs Smith & Sons opens: 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."

Footbridge built: A footbridge was built for passengers going from one platform to the other in 1902.

Mr Frank Hunt: Mr Frank Hunt (of Shrivenham) was appointed Station Master in 1908. The first GWR General Manager under whom he served was Mr J Grierson, later replaced by Sir Felix Pole, who had long been aquainted with Mr Hunt. It was an unusual compliment and (presumably) a token of friendship that some time later Sir Felix presented a signed portrait of himself to Mr Hunt, in whose office it was afterwards prominently displayed until Mr Hunt's retirement in 1926.

The King's Visit, 21st-26th October 1912:

In October 1912, King George V came by train to visit 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.

The King's train came from Paddington, and arrived punctually at 7.15pm. The Constable (Mr John Adnams), the Station Master (Mr. Frank Hunt) and many other dignitaries were on the platform to welcome the King and his party to Hungerford. One photograph shows that the station staff at the time totalled about 26 men!

Goods Shed fire, 1936: A timber shed used by L. Beard & Son as an office in the Goods Yard was destroyed by fire on the 15th January 1936.

Mr Archie Allen: Archie Allen (father of John Allen) came to work at Hungerford station in 1926. Archie had worked for the GWR for many years at Windsor station and in 1926 he was appointed Clerk in Charge of the Goods Depot at Hungerford, becoming Station Master in 1935.

Archie was a very keen Ambulance man and formed his own Railway Ambulance team in the 1930s. One of Archie's duties on Sundays accompanied by his son John was to fill up the many chocolate and cigarette machines, but John has no knowledge of any extra chocolates being handed to him.

Signal Boxes: There were two signal boxes at Hungerford for many years, until January 1939 when the East box was closed and all traffic was controlled from the West box. The signalman was Harry Bennet, who died aged 50 years in 1956.

The main Hungerford box was partly demolished in the crash of 10 Nov 1971 (see below). Its replacement was demolished in Nov 1978 (see "End of an era" - NWN 16 Nov 1978).

Watercress: Hungerford has always been a busy station. In the 1930s much watercress was despatched by Passenger train to various destinations, also Post Office Mails, and many people travelled by train until the 1960s when cars became a more popular means of transport.

Second World War: During the 1939-1945 war years, very heavy goods traffic was dealt with at Hungerford. Goods included
- coal and coke for the four coal merchants Alexander Bros, L Beard & Son, W Lewington, and T D Barnes of Aldbourne,
- feeding stuffs and fertilizers for John Adnams & Sons, and James & Co., of Great Western Mills.
- agricultural implements were received for Oakes Bros, and I A Bennett & Son.
There were many extra Passenger trains put on for the movement of English and American troops.

At this time the station was staffed by a Station Master, (A J Allen) and two booking clerks, a Senior Porter (F. Cox) was in charge of the Parcels Office also two Junior Porters. Bruce Richardson was the clerk in charge of the Goods Depot assisted by one Junior Clerk. A lorry driver (F. Didcock) was provided for the collection and delivery of parcels in the town and outlying villages. The signalmen employed were Harry Bennett, Fred Liddiard, and Harold Prout.

There were also two gangs with a total of 16 men looking after the permanent way.

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Replacing the railway bridge:

In 1966 the railway bridge across the High Street, said to be the longest single-span bridge on the Western region, was replaced.

In 1970 the station ceased to deal with Goods traffic, Reading being the Railhead for this area.

Most of the station buildings were demolished in 1971, and Hungerford station became an un-manned halt.

Railway crash, 10 Nov 1971:

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 in Nov 1978 after colour light signals replaced semaphore signals on 17th July 1978. (See "End of an era" - NWN 16 Nov 1978). See also "Signal of significance to couple who are retiring - for a while" - NWN 10 Sep 1981 regarding John & Brenda Newton's retirement and the Hungerford signal they bought).

For many years from 1939 onwards a Public Telephone Box was thought necessary at the station but it was not until December 1990 one was erected opposite the Railway Tavern Pub.

The only remaining evidence of the old station up to 1999 was the 1902 footbridge, but this was replaced by a new footbridge on 6th June 1999. No sign of the original G.W.R. station now remains.

(Much of this was based on information from John Allen, Dec 2005)

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Hungerford station, Aug 2001

Flyer for meeting of Commoners regarding sale of part of the Common to the Berks & Hants Railway, Feb 1846

"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.

The Stationmaster and staff, c1905

GWR 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.
(Thanks to Paul Lacey)

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 Constable and Feoffees. The town officials were all on parade to welcome His Majesty to Hungerford.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.

Railwaymens' Supper 1912

Hungerford West signal box, c1912

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.

Track changes 1898-1973

 Hungerford Station, looking east, 1946

Replacing the railway bridge, 1966

Railway crash, 10 Nov 1971