The abandoned Essex train station an Earl built next to his house

A railway station in Essex has stood abandoned for more than 50 years – but at one point it was owned by an Earl who gifted its access to the public. Easton Lodge station was located west of Great Dunmow, sharing the name of a Victorian Gothic-style stately home in Little Easton. The station was first opened on September 2, 1895 on a line between Bishops Stortford and Braintree as part of the Great Eastern Railway[1], running as a public railway station all the way to 1952, when it closed for passengers.

It did however continue to be used by freight trains for another 20 years until 1972 when all passing trains ceased. The station’s construction close to the turn of the century happened much later than the rest of the line at the time. It was funded by the then Earl and Countess of Warwick at a cost of GBP140, plus GBP52 annually for ten years for upkeep.

Despite it being built onto the Easton Lodge estate as a private station, the Earl permitted members of the public to use it. In a report by Railway Magazine, it was said: “The Earl of Warwick has also the pleasure of possessing a railway station of his own. It is attached to his Essex residence of Easton Lodge, and bears the same name as the house.

“Of course, it is on the line owned by the Great Eastern Railway, and a short distance from Dunmow. It is perhaps as much used as any really “private” station, for the Warwick family spend much time every year at Easton, and keep constant company there.” Details shared by Disused Stations Site Record show how Easton Lodge was actively used during the Second World War.

They said: “During the Second World War the line was used to transport thousands of tons of rubble for the construction of Saling airfield, 5 miles from Braintree and, later, when it became operational, massive loads of bombs were carried to the same destination under cover of darkness. “The United States Air Force bases at Stansted and Easton Lodge were also regularly supplied with armaments and stores arriving via Bishop’s Stortford and Takeley station. After the invasion of Europe in June 1944 the line was used by ambulance trains to bring back wounded soldiers.

“After the war the public’s use of motor cars and competition from bus transport increased, the passenger service between Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree ran virtually empty and inevitably, closure of the line for passenger traffic was announced. Despite public protests, the last train to run between the two towns was on 1 March 1952.” In the present day, most of the rail itself has been taken up, but the former stationmaster’s house and crossing keeper’s hut remain.

References

1. ^ Great Eastern Railway (www.essexlive.news)
2. ^ Empty Debenhams store in Essex could be turned into huge go-karting track (www.essexlive.news)