St. Albans London Road Station

St. Albans Station opened on 16th October 1865. Its name was changed to St. Albans London Road Station on the 1st July 1950. It was also known before this as St. Albans H.S.R. Station (Hatfield & St. Albans Railway) until 1883.

It became known as St. Albans G.N.R. Station (Great Northern Railway) until 1923, then it was known as St. Albans L.N.E.R. Station (London North Eastern Railway) until 1950. The station gained the ‘London Road’ title after British Railways took over in 1948. This helped avoid confusion with the two other St. Albans stations opened by the Midland Railway and the London North Western Railway.

The double platform was installed with anticipation of an increase in footfall. Once the western most terminus of the branch line, it was eventually extended to join up with the London North Western Railway in 1866 at St. Albans (Abbey) Station. The benefit of extending the line to St. Albans (Abbey) was to offer passengers easier access to Watford and beyond, to London Euston and Birmingham, etc. Although many London bound passengers out of St Albans were soon enjoying the new Midland Railway route from St Albans City Station, opened in 1868.

The early 1920’s were probably the most prosperous in the history of the old branch line, as thereafter road traffic progressively reduced both passenger and goods business. Other features found at London Road Station in its heyday were a large goods shed, two turntables (a smaller one for wagons, plus a larger one of 42ft diameter), a cattle dock and a large water tank.

Despite having means to house trains overnight, most trains retired down at Hatfield Station’s Locomotive Shed. The Station building is Grade 2 listed and remains in fine order. It’s also privately owned, so please respect the owners if you plan to visit.

The Station was closed to passengers on the 1st October 1951, and was completely closed on the 5th October 1964. Complete line closure came on the 31st December 1968.

Information and photos from the Roger Taylor collection, unless specified.