Highley railway station is a station on the Severn Valley Railway heritage line in Shropshire, situated near the west bank of the River Severn and just under a mile to the south-east of the village of Highley.

Highley station opened to the public on 1 February 1862 and closed on 8 September 1963 when through passenger services to Shrewsbury ceased after 101 years.

Highley station was formerly very important as the transport hub of a colliery district, with four coal mines nearby, all linked by standard and narrow gauge branch lines, cable inclines and aerial ropeways to the Severn Valley line.

This was underlined by the extensive sidings alongside the line, and wagon repair works at Kinlet, half-a-mile to the south.

The operations at Highley were controlled from a strategically placed signal box opposite to the platform.

The signal box remained in use after closure until Alveley colliery closed and freight traffic ceased in 1969.

The station site was then disused until preservation.

Highley is the only station proper on the SVR with only one platform. Other calling places with one platform are unstaffed halts.

Partly as a result of the lack of two platforms, but primarily because of the way the signal box is interlocked it is not permissible to pass two passenger trains there.

Thankfully, little demolition took place at Highley after closure, the signal box remained intact, as did the station buildings.

Highley's original footbridge had to be demolished in the early 1970s for safety reasons but a new footbridge was opened in 2009.

Between April 1974 and mid-May 1974, Highley was the southern terminus of the Severn Valley Railway.

Both Highley station and Country Park Halt are situated within the boundaries of the Severn Valley Country Park, the wonderfully transformed site of a former large coal mine

Highley Station, like many other stations has won awards for its restoration and continuing level of appearance, but Highley is unique in its atmosphere and authenticity.

Highley has been used on many occasions for television and film locations, on gala days the station can handle freight trains and recreate the movements of days long-gone on the modern railway system.

The station has great character and is well looked after, making it a wonderful place to visit.

The all-volunteer staff take much pride in their work.

The main building is a substantial and very picturesque sand-stone Victorian railway station.

Down a small flight of steps from Highley railway station is the Ship Inn Public House, the River Severn and from there a public footpath leads back to the Country Park.

The Engine House - Our Visitor and Education Centre is adjacent to the station.

Containing a large display of steam locomotives, a restaurant with excellent views across the railway and the Severn Valley, a picnic area and a giftshop.

For More Information on The Engine House Visitor Centre see pictures below and visit The Engine House

The Royal Mail Travelling Post Office is located in The Engine House Visitor Centre adjacent to Highley station

Above pictures displayed with the kind permission of Sharpo from his wonderful collection at Sharpo's World


The following pictures displayed with the kind permission of Southern Counties Publications who own the copyrights to them.

Please visit their website at Southern Counties


Highley By Night - Autumn 2017 Steam Gala By Jed Bennet



The following Engine House pictures displayed with the kind permission of Geoff's Rail Pages and Photo Pages who owns the copyrights to them.

Please visit his website at Geoff's Rail Pages


Now A Glimpse Of The Past - The Original Footbridge At Highley


The Wickham Trolley

For A Detailed Pictorial Record Of The Restoration Of The 1934 Wickham Trolley Visit The Wickham Restoration Page


Mckenzie & Holland Patent Signal Frame

Highley Signal Box was first fitted with a McKenzie & Holland 1873 patent frame, manufactured in Worcester. Approx. 1905 the frame was refitted with Great Western Railway tappet locking.

This detailed technical article describes the type of frame that Highley Signal Box once had. Read The Article


The Highley Station Tractor


The Charles Taylor Sign On Our Workshop

Established in 1860, Charles Taylor & Co. was a famous Birmingham manufacturer of lathes and other machine tools

This sign was rescued from the factory when it was demolished in 1999

For a fascinating study of the history of the company visit Taylor Lathes


For the Highley Station Video visit The Highley Station Video

For More Information On Highley Station Please Contact Us Email Us

To Visit The Main Severn Valley Railway Site Severn Valley Railway

The ex Swindon Panel is now on display at the Didcot Railway Centre

Site Maintained ByWorldWideWebs

You Are Visitor No.