Remnants of Ross’s Railway

Herefordshire History
Written By The Herefordian Historian .

It has been almost sixty years since Ross-on-Wye lost its railway connection, but there are still many reminders of it scattered throughout the town. Regrettably, what could have been the most important and glamourous of them all has long since disappeared: the station.

Ross’s railway station was erected for the opening of the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway in 1855, and was located on the outskirts of the town. It was reached from Gloucester Road by a dirty, unpaved lane, which was so loathed by the public that the town’s commissioners were forced to replace it.

The primitive track was re-laid as a proper street and named Cantilupe Road. In addition to this, two more new streets were built: Station Street and Henry Street. With the station now having an access road that reflected its importance, attention was turned to the appearance of the building itself.

In 1892, it was completely rebuilt by the Great Western Railway in a style that would soon spread across the country, and would even reach London. The new twin-turreted structure provided the usual amenities expected by passengers at this time, its brick walls containing an entrance hall, booking office, waiting room, refreshment room, porter’s room, parcel office, and inspector’s room. An enclosed footbridge linked the station’s two platform islands, which were also shielded from the elements by substantial canopies.

Ross-on-Wye Railway Station being demolished in 1975

As mentioned before though, none of this has survived to the present day, with the entire station being demolished in 1975. Two years later, work on the Ashburton Industrial Estate was begun, a project that was to make the area unrecognisable. Fortunately, there are pieces of railway infrastructure that have weathered even this development.

Standing just to the west of where the station once stood is the goods shed, which currently houses Fleetcare Services, who specialise in repairing commercial vehicles. It was built to deal with rail freight coming in and out of Ross-on-Wye, and on its north side was entered by a set of twin tracks from the west. Vehicle access was on the south side of the building on the east front, leading out towards the station’s forecourt.

The goods shed allowed for freight to be loaded and unloaded regardless of what the weather outside was like. There was a central platform between the rails and the access road, atop of which pivoted huge wooden cranes that were secured both to the platform itself and to the roof timbers above. The building was expanded later on in its life as business increased, with iron and timber warehouses expanding out from its east and west fronts.

The goods shed, which now houses Fleetcare Services

Another structure that has survived is the engine shed, standing to the west of the station’s former site. It is now a part of the Ross Garden Store, and so is easy for any interested members of the public to access. It was constructed in 1871, likely in tandem with the Ross and Monmouth Railway, as it is thought its purpose was to house the locomotives for the branch line.

From the road, one can clearly see the lantern that runs the full length of its roof. This raised section has open sides, which allowed smoke from the engines within to escape. Inside the shed was a single stabling line where the locomotives would rest, and beneath this was an eighty-foot-long inspection pit. It was used by the workers to get beneath the engines so that they could carry out repairs and make sure everything was in order.

The engine shed, which is now a part of Ross Garden Store

The most prominent reminder of the railway within the town is of course the Fiveways Enhancement, which I found very helpful during my research. It was installed in 1995 by the Hereford and Worcester County Council, the Rural Development Commission, and the South Herefordshire District Council.

The exhibit, as it were, consists of a small seating area surrounding two sections of railway (one broad gauge and one narrow gauge) as well as a set of information boards that recount the line’s history, accompanied by some brilliant pictures, maps, and photographs. I highly recommend a visit to anyone who would like to know more about the railway. Behind the boards stand the huge sandstone pillars of the viaduct, which was once flanked on either end by a set of bridges that crossed Brampton Street and Over Ross Street.

The sandstone piers of the former viaduct at Fiveways Enchancement

Further to the west lies Cawdor Arch Bridge, which passes over the aptly named Cawdor Arch Road. This structure is original to the Hereford, Ross and Gloucester Railway, and, like the goods and engine sheds mention before, was built from the county’s signature red sandstone.

Cawdor Arch Bridge

There are many other bridges further north that mark out former route of the railway, and even the tunnels survive, although due to their age and probable lack of maintenance, I would be hesitant to try and traverse any of them. One of the best points from which to get a real sense of the railway’s essence is Backney Bridge Picnic Site, just a couple of miles north of Ross-on-Wye.

Standing at the railings, one can look out over the River Wye as it loops tightly to the south and then the north, and admire the huge brick pillars that soar from the water. They have stood there for over 160 years, guarding the legacy of the railway. It is hard not to imagine a train materialising from the trees on the opposite bank, ploughing north with its precious cargo and passengers, and then disappearing behind, bound for Hereford.

Sources

  • Hereford and Worcester County Council., Rural Development Commission., South Herefordshire District Council. (1995). Fiveways Enhancement. [Information Boards]. Five Ways, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 7AS.

  • Oppitz, L. (2004). Lost Railways of Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Countryside Books.

Images

The Herefordian Historian . https://herefordianhistorian.co.uk
Next

Ross-on-Wye’s Lost Railway: Part 2