Watlington railway station

Watlington
National Rail
Watlington railway station in 2005
General information
LocationWatlington, King's Lynn and West Norfolk
England
Grid referenceTF612110
OwnerNetwork Rail
ManagerGreat Northern
Platforms2
Other information
Station codeWTG[1]
ClassificationDfT category E
Key dates
27 October 1846Opened as Watlington
1 June 1875Renamed Magdalen Road
9 September 1968Closed
5 May 1975Reopened
3 October 1989Renamed Watlington[2]
Passengers
2020–21Decrease 39,078
2021–22Increase 0.106 million
2022–23Increase 0.108 million
2023–24Increase 0.119 million
2024–25Increase 0.134 million
Location
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Watlington railway station (formerly known as Magdalen Road) is on the Fen line in the east of England, serving the village of Watlington, Norfolk. It is 90 miles 70 chains (146.2 km) measured from London Liverpool Street and is situated between Downham Market and King's Lynn stations.[3] The station and all trains calling are operated by Great Northern.

History

The King's Lynn-bound platform seen from a southbound train in 1992

The Bill for the Lynn and Ely Railway received Royal Assent on 30 June 1845.[4] Work started on the line in 1846 and the line and its stations were opened on 27 October 1846. Watlington station opened with the line and was, as it is now, situated South of Lynn station (now King's Lynn).[5] The line ran from Ely to Downham, the eventual destination being Ely.[6]

Watlington station, from 1847 part of the East Anglian Railway, became part of the Great Eastern Railway in 1862, and was renamed Magdalen Road from 1 June 1875[5] (a name which, perhaps, better reflects its lonely rural location in the middle of the flatlands of the East Anglian Fens). From 1848 onwards, Watlington was a junction, as a line once branched off from there to Wisbech.[7] The branch, along with Magdalen Road station, was closed in 1968.[5]

Due to local efforts, however, Magdalen Road station was reopened in 1975,[5] and in 1989 returned to its original title of Watlington.[5] KL Magazine records the efforts of local residents to prepare for the reopening:[7]

However, the dedicated pressure group were determined, and made it their mission to raise the money and restore their station to its former glory. Kate and Joyce busied themselves with fundraising activities, organising two dances and three tombolas and gathering donations with the help of their neighbour Johnny Lemon.

Parties of villagers cleared brambles from the platforms, cut back bushes, and repainted the waiting room.

Their labours were assisted by a strong sense of community (and beer provided by Dr Lacey) and the experience brought the whole village closer together. All the hard work proved to be worth it when, in November 1974, British Rail announced to delighted locals that the station would reopen the following spring.

‘’It really was a village effort,’’ Kate remembers. ‘‘It took a lot of perseverance, but together we made it happen.’’

As of 2025, the signalbox still carries the former name of Magdalen Road.[8]

Facilities

The station only has basic facilities, including shelters, ticket machines, departure screens, a car park and cycle spaces. Both platforms have step-free access.[9]

Passenger volume

Passenger volume at Watlington[10]
2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25
Entries and exits 85,231 85,423 91,250 100,665 111,612 107,956 113,898 129,146 137,874 131,742 143,904 148,928 144,114 146,008 153,782 138,366 39,078 105,886 107,724 118,846 133,888

The statistics cover twelve month periods that start in April.

Services

Outside peak hours, trains run hourly to King's Lynn and London King's Cross. There are extra peak services increasing the service to twice per hour.[11]

Greater Anglia no longer run services as of the May 2023 timetable change.[12]

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Great Northern
Historical railways
Line open, station closed
Great Eastern Railway
Line open, station closed
Disused railways
Magdalen Gate
Line and station closed
   British Rail Eastern Region
   King's Lynn
Line and station open

References

  1. ↑ "Railway Codes". railwaycodes.org.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  2. ↑ Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations, Patrick Stephens Ltd, Sparkford, ISBN 1-85260-508-1, pp. 152 & 243.
  3. ↑ Bridge, Mike, ed. (2017). TRACKatlas of Mainland Britain: A Comprehensive Geographic Atlas Showing the Rail Network of Great Britain (3rd ed.). Sheffield: Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. p. 43. ISBN 978 1909431 26 3.
  4. ↑ Tuck, Henry (1847). The Railway Shareholder's Manual; or, Practical Guide to all the Railways in the World. Effingham Wilson. p. 130.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Quick 2023, p. 474.
  6. ↑ C.J. Allen
  7. 1 2 "A special station saved by community spirit". KL Magazine. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  8. ↑ "Proud day as campaigners celebrate 50th anniversary of re-opening of station". Lynn News. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Watlington Station | National Rail". www.nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  10. ↑ "Estimates of station usage | ORR Data Portal". dataportal.orr.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  11. ↑ eNRT, May 2026 Edition, Table 013 (Network Rail)
  12. ↑ Wakefield, Peter (June 2023). "Timetable Changes May–December 2023" (PDF). Railfuture (198): 17.

Bibliography

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