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Coordinates: 51°15′59″N 2°11′58″W / 51.2665°N 2.1995°W / 51.2665; -2.1995
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The station is a major [[junction (rail)|junction]], serving the [[Reading to Taunton line]] with services to and from [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]] and [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]]; the [[Wessex Main Line]] with services to and from [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff]] and [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth]], also [[Swindon railway station|Swindon]]; the [[Heart of Wessex Line]] with local services from [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads]] to [[Weymouth railway station|Weymouth]]; and services to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]].
The station is a major [[junction (rail)|junction]], serving the [[Reading to Taunton line]] with services to and from [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]] and [[Paddington railway station|London Paddington]]; the [[Wessex Main Line]] with services to and from [[Cardiff Central railway station|Cardiff]] and [[Portsmouth Harbour railway station|Portsmouth]], also [[Swindon railway station|Swindon]]; the [[Heart of Wessex Line]] with local services from [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads]] to [[Weymouth railway station|Weymouth]]; and services to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]].


The buffet at Westbury appeared in a list of "highly commended" station cafes published in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2009.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wills | first = Dixe | title = Ten of the best railway cafes | newspaper = Guardian | date = 2009-05-12 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/may/12/railway-station-cafes-uk-food | accessdate = 2009-06-30}}</ref>
The buffet at Westbury appeared in a list of "highly commended" station cafes published in ''[[The Guardian]]'' in 2009.<ref>{{cite news | last = Wills | first = Dixe | title = Ten of the best railway cafes | newspaper = Guardian | date = 2009-05-12 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/may/12/railway-station-cafes-uk-food | access-date = 2009-06-30}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Westbury Railway Station, 8 June 2020.jpeg|thumb|200px|View of the station]]
[[File:Westbury Railway Station, 8 June 2020.jpeg|thumb|200px|View of the station]]


The station was opened by the [[Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway]] on 5 September 1848,<ref name=Butt>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=244 |ref=harv }}</ref> and was the initial terminus of their line from {{stnlnk|Chippenham}}. This line was later extended to {{stnlnk|Frome}}, which opened on 7 October 1850.<ref>{{harvnb|Butt|1995|p=100}}</ref> The [[Salisbury branch line (Great Western Railway)|Salisbury branch]] opened on 30 June 1856, whilst the opening of the [[Stert and Westbury Railway|line to Patney & Chirton]] in 1900 (along with that further west from [[Castle Cary]] to [[Cogload Junction]] six years later) completed the GWR's new main line from [[London Paddington]] to {{stnlnk|Taunton}} and beyond.
The station was opened by the [[Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway]] on 5 September 1848,<ref name=Butt>{{cite book |last=Butt |first=R.V.J. |title=The Directory of Railway Stations |year=1995 |publisher=Patrick Stephens Ltd |location=Yeovil |isbn=1-85260-508-1 |id=R508 |page=244 }}</ref> and was the initial terminus of their line from {{stnlnk|Chippenham}}. This line was later extended to {{stnlnk|Frome}}, which opened on 7 October 1850.<ref>{{harvnb|Butt|1995|p=100}}</ref> The [[Salisbury branch line (Great Western Railway)|Salisbury branch]] opened on 30 June 1856, whilst the opening of the [[Stert and Westbury Railway|line to Patney & Chirton]] in 1900 (along with that further west from [[Castle Cary]] to [[Cogload Junction]] six years later) completed the GWR's new main line from [[London Paddington]] to {{stnlnk|Taunton}} and beyond.


In the 1880s, the station was one of the meeting places of the South and West Wilts Hunt.<ref>''Hunting Appointments'' in ''The Times'', 8 March 1884, pg. 7, col. E</ref>
In the 1880s, the station was one of the meeting places of the South and West Wilts Hunt.<ref>''Hunting Appointments'' in ''The Times'', 8 March 1884, pg. 7, col. E</ref>


In 1899, Westbury station was entirely rebuilt to cater for the 1900 line, creating two [[island platform]]s six hundred feet long and forty feet wide.<ref>{{cite book|ref=harv|last1=Oakley|first1=Mike|title=Wiltshire Railway Stations|date=2004|publisher=The Dovecote Press|location=Wimborne|isbn=1904349331|pages=140–141}}</ref><ref>''New Route to Weymouth'' in ''The Times'', 2 July 1901, pg. 10, col. C</ref> It has since been rebuilt and remodelled several times, most recently when the area was resignalled in 1985 (when the Down Salisbury platform line was lifted), but without changing the underlying form created in 1901. In 2013 the Swindon and Wiltshire [[Local transport bodies|Local Transport Body]] prioritised the reopening of this platform face at an estimated cost of £5.4m.<ref name="Transport Schemes">{{cite web|title=Transport Schemes - Prioritisation Process and Provisional Programme, Agenda Item 6, Table 5: Prioritised Schemes|url=http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s49384/SWLTB%20-Final%20Scheme%20Prioritisation%20Report%20Draft%20-%20Final%20-%2028%20Jun%2013.pdf|accessdate=28 June 2015}}</ref>
In 1899, Westbury station was entirely rebuilt to cater for the 1900 line, creating two [[island platform]]s six hundred feet long and forty feet wide.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Oakley|first1=Mike|title=Wiltshire Railway Stations|date=2004|publisher=The Dovecote Press|location=Wimborne|isbn=1904349331|pages=140–141}}</ref><ref>''New Route to Weymouth'' in ''The Times'', 2 July 1901, pg. 10, col. C</ref> It has since been rebuilt and remodelled several times, most recently when the area was resignalled in 1985 (when the Down Salisbury platform line was lifted), but without changing the underlying form created in 1901. In 2013 the Swindon and Wiltshire [[Local transport bodies|Local Transport Body]] prioritised the reopening of this platform face at an estimated cost of £5.4m.<ref name="Transport Schemes">{{cite web|title=Transport Schemes - Prioritisation Process and Provisional Programme, Agenda Item 6, Table 5: Prioritised Schemes|url=http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/documents/s49384/SWLTB%20-Final%20Scheme%20Prioritisation%20Report%20Draft%20-%20Final%20-%2028%20Jun%2013.pdf|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>


A freight yard next to the station is used by bulk limestone trains from the rail-served quarries at [[Torr Works|Merehead]] and [[Whatley Quarry|Whatley]] in Somerset.<ref>[http://www.railbrit.co.uk/location.php?loc=Westbury Railscot - Photos of Westbury] www.railbrit.co.uk; Retrieved 2013-09-17</ref> In April 2009 the rail-served Lafarge (formerly [[Blue Circle Industries|Blue Circle]]) cement works to the east was closed.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Williams |date=1 May 2009 |title=Lafarge cements a place in county's history |url=http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/4336329.Lafarge_cements_a_place_in_county_s_history/ |newspaper=Wiltshire Times|location= Trowbridge, UK|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>
A freight yard next to the station is used by bulk limestone trains from the rail-served quarries at [[Torr Works|Merehead]] and [[Whatley Quarry|Whatley]] in Somerset.<ref>[http://www.railbrit.co.uk/location.php?loc=Westbury Railscot - Photos of Westbury] www.railbrit.co.uk; Retrieved 2013-09-17</ref> In April 2009 the rail-served Lafarge (formerly [[Blue Circle Industries|Blue Circle]]) cement works to the east was closed.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Williams |date=1 May 2009 |title=Lafarge cements a place in county's history |url=http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/4336329.Lafarge_cements_a_place_in_county_s_history/ |newspaper=Wiltshire Times|location= Trowbridge, UK|access-date=28 June 2015}}</ref>
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On 28 October 1873, a mail train passed a signal at danger and collided with a luggage train.<ref name="PMG291073">{{cite news |title=Collision on the North Western Railway |newspaper=The Pall Mall Gazette |location=London |date=29 October 1875 |issue=2716}}</ref>
On 28 October 1873, a mail train passed a signal at danger and collided with a luggage train.<ref name="PMG291073">{{cite news |title=Collision on the North Western Railway |newspaper=The Pall Mall Gazette |location=London |date=29 October 1875 |issue=2716}}</ref>


On 6 December 2011, a train was derailed at Westbury.<ref name="BBC16045210">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16045210 |title=Train derails at Westbury causing rail delays |work=BBC News Online |date=6 December 2011 |accessdate=21 March 2017}}</ref>
On 6 December 2011, a train was derailed at Westbury.<ref name="BBC16045210">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16045210 |title=Train derails at Westbury causing rail delays |work=BBC News Online |date=6 December 2011 |access-date=21 March 2017}}</ref>


==Services==
==Services==

Revision as of 05:12, 21 January 2021

This article is about the station in Wiltshire, England. For the former station in Shropshire, England, see Westbury railway station (Shropshire). For the station in New York, USA, see Westbury (LIRR station).

Westbury
National Rail
The entrance to the station is at ground level with the platforms behind and above
General information
LocationWestbury, Wiltshire
England
Coordinates51°15′59″N 2°11′58″W / 51.2665°N 2.1995°W / 51.2665; -2.1995
Grid referenceST861519
Managed byGreat Western Railway
Platforms3
Other information
Station codeWSB
ClassificationDfT category D
History
Original companyWilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway
Pre-groupingGreat Western Railway
Post-groupingGreat Western Railway
Key dates
5 September 1848Station opened as terminus of line from Chippenham
7 October 1850Line extended to Frome
Passengers
2015/16Increase 0.544 million
2016/17Increase 0.578 million
2017/18Decrease 0.569 million
2018/19Decrease 0.549 million
2019/20Increase 0.558 million
 Interchange Decrease 0.229 million
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Westbury railway station serves the town of Westbury in Wiltshire, England. The station is managed by Great Western Railway.

The station is a major junction, serving the Reading to Taunton line with services to and from Penzance and London Paddington; the Wessex Main Line with services to and from Cardiff and Portsmouth, also Swindon; the Heart of Wessex Line with local services from Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth; and services to London Waterloo.

The buffet at Westbury appeared in a list of "highly commended" station cafes published in The Guardian in 2009.[1]

History

View of the station

The station was opened by the Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth Railway on 5 September 1848,[2] and was the initial terminus of their line from Chippenham. This line was later extended to Frome, which opened on 7 October 1850.[3] The Salisbury branch opened on 30 June 1856, whilst the opening of the line to Patney & Chirton in 1900 (along with that further west from Castle Cary to Cogload Junction six years later) completed the GWR's new main line from London Paddington to Taunton and beyond.

In the 1880s, the station was one of the meeting places of the South and West Wilts Hunt.[4]

In 1899, Westbury station was entirely rebuilt to cater for the 1900 line, creating two island platforms six hundred feet long and forty feet wide.[5][6] It has since been rebuilt and remodelled several times, most recently when the area was resignalled in 1985 (when the Down Salisbury platform line was lifted), but without changing the underlying form created in 1901. In 2013 the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Transport Body prioritised the reopening of this platform face at an estimated cost of £5.4m.[7]

A freight yard next to the station is used by bulk limestone trains from the rail-served quarries at Merehead and Whatley in Somerset.[8] In April 2009 the rail-served Lafarge (formerly Blue Circle) cement works to the east was closed.[9]

Accidents and incidents

On 28 October 1873, a mail train passed a signal at danger and collided with a luggage train.[10]

On 6 December 2011, a train was derailed at Westbury.[11]

Services

A Great Western Railway Class 800 from London Paddington and an South Western Railway Class 159 going to London Waterloo

The station is served by all three main routes that pass through it. On the main Reading to Taunton Line, the station is served by westbound trains to one of Exeter St Davids, Paignton, Plymouth, or Penzance; and eastbound services to London Paddington.[12]

There is a service on the Cardiff Central to Southampton Central and Portsmouth Harbour Wessex Main Line, and a separate service between Gloucester, Bristol and Westbury on this route. Some of these trains continue through to Weymouth and in the opposite direction certain trains extend through to Cheltenham Spa and Great Malvern. Others run to Frome, Warminster and Southampton, along with through trains to and from Brighton.[13]

A map of the rail routes radiating from Westbury to (clockwise from top left)Bristol/Chippenham, London, Salisbury, Weymouth/Penzance. Not to scale.
Railway routes around Westbury in 2009

South Western Railway runs a service between Bristol and London Waterloo via Salisbury that calls here.[14] There are also limited services to Yeovil Pen Mill.

There are also services between Westbury and Swindon via Chippenham, Trowbridge and Melksham, marketed as the TransWilts Line. The frequency on this route was improved substantially (to eight trains each way weekdays, five on Sundays) at the December 2013 timetable change.[13]

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Pewsey or Newbury   Great Western Railway
Reading to Taunton line 		  Castle Cary
Trowbridge or Terminus   Great Western Railway
Wessex Line (Limited Service) 		  Frome
  Great Western Railway
Wessex Main Line 		  Dilton Marsh
  Great Western Railway
Swindon-Westbury/Southampton (Limited Service) 		  Terminus or Warminster
Trowbridge   Great Western Railway
Weymouth Wizard
(Summer Saturdays Only) 		  Frome
Trowbridge   Great Western Railway
Cardiff Central - Portsmouth Harbour 		  Warminster
Trowbridge   South Western Railway
London Waterloo - Bristol (Limited Service) 		  Warminster
Frome   South Western Railway
Heart of Wessex Line (Limited Service) 		  Terminus or Warminster

Future

At present,[timeframe?] the line to Westbury is not due to be electrified as part of the 21st-century modernisation of the Great Western Main Line. Although local councillors support it, the extension of electrification beyond Newbury to Westbury was assessed as having a benefit–cost ratio of only 0.31.[15]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Westbury railway station.
  1. ^ Wills, Dixe (12 May 2009). "Ten of the best railway cafes". Guardian. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  2. ^ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 244. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508.
  3. ^ Butt 1995, p. 100
  4. ^ Hunting Appointments in The Times, 8 March 1884, pg. 7, col. E
  5. ^ Oakley, Mike (2004). Wiltshire Railway Stations. Wimborne: The Dovecote Press. pp. 140–141. ISBN 1904349331.
  6. ^ New Route to Weymouth in The Times, 2 July 1901, pg. 10, col. C
  7. ^ "Transport Schemes - Prioritisation Process and Provisional Programme, Agenda Item 6, Table 5: Prioritised Schemes" (PDF). Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  8. ^ Railscot - Photos of Westbury www.railbrit.co.uk; Retrieved 2013-09-17
  9. ^ James Williams (1 May 2009). "Lafarge cements a place in county's history". Wiltshire Times. Trowbridge, UK. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  10. ^ "Collision on the North Western Railway". The Pall Mall Gazette. No. 2716. London. 29 October 1875.
  11. ^ "Train derails at Westbury causing rail delays". BBC News Online. 6 December 2011. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  12. ^ GB National Rail Timetable May–December 2016, Table 135
  13. ^ a b GB National Rail Timetable May–December 2016, Table 123
  14. ^ National Rail Timetable 2016, Table 160 Archived 19 September 2016 at the Wayback MachineNetwork Rail;Retrieved 5 October 2016
  15. ^ Haigh, Philip (10–23 July 2013). "Government commits to long-term rail investment". RAIL. Vol. 726. p. 8.
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