Coaley Junction
 

Coaley Junction was the starting point for anyone wanting to take a trip along the branch line to Dursley. Although on the Midland main line the buildings were in the distinctive style of the independent Dursley & Midland Junction Railway. The main station building was situated between the branch and main lines and was of red brick construction with a slated roof and wide canopy. On the Gloucester bound platform there was a small waiting room built in a similar style. Beyond the Gloucester end of the platform, between the main and branch lines was the wooden signalbox which survived until 1968 when British Railways stopped using the branch line.

  
  Picture Gallery (Click on picture for larger view)
    Coaley Junction Station and Signalbox
This view shows the main-line Bristol bound platform of Coaley Junction station together with the signalbox. The Dursley branch platform is to the left behind the box which was worked at this time by signalman Gilroy Kerr.
(1965 - copyright Bill Potter)		  
    Branch train to Dursley
Engine 41748 waits at the branch platform at Coaley Junction with the two coach train for Dursley.
(c1957 - copyright John Fryer)		  
    Dursley branch goods at Coaley Junction
The fireman returns to his engine, no. 82040 to take the Gloucester to Dursley freight down the branch. He had just visited the signalbox for a cup of tea!
(June 10th 1965 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Dursley branch line platform
Ivatt 2-6-0, 46526 waits at the Dursley branch platform at Coaley Junction with the 6.20pm train to Dursley.
(August 30th 1962 - copyright Ben Ashworth)		  
    Dursley branch engine
Driver John Humphries (left) and fireman Nigel "Badger" Davies on the footplate of Johnson 1F 0-6-0T at the branch platform at Coaley Junction.
(1955 - courtesy John Humphries)		  
    All aboard for Dursley
LMS engine Ivatt 2-6-0, 46527 waits at the bay platform with the 4:15pm from Coaley to Dursley in the final year of passenger traffic. This engine and its sister, 46526, were draughted in to the line shortly before closure.
(April 13th 1962 - copyright David Aldred)		  
    Coaley Junction pannier tank engine
On a February Saturday in 1962 (evidenced by the two coaches on the train), ex GWR pannier tank engine, 7435, prepares to leave Coaley Junction for Dursley.
(February 10th 1962 - Andrew Barton Collection)		  
    Coaley Junction Signalbox
Of wooden construction, this signalbox was built in 1935 by the London, Midland & Scottish Railway replacing an earlier cabin on the same site. It finally closed in 1968 when the branch line became effectively a private siding.
(1963 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Signalbox levers
This view inside Coaley Junction signalbox shows the array of levers needed to work the junction.
(1963 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Coaley Junction Station
A great view of the station at Coaley Junction showing the neatness with which most were kept in times gone by. The branch platform for Dursley is on the left, the Bristol platform on the main line is on the right and far right, with its own shelter, is the platform for Gloucester.
(c1964 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Gloucester bound freight
Engine 44264 with the Sharpness to Gloucester freight makes its way past Coaley Junction station.
(June 14th 1965 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Grange at Coaley Junction
Viewed from the signalbox, engine 6848 "Toddington Grange" passes Coaley Junction with a fitted Class 4 freight.
(May 19th 1965 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Gloucester to Sharpness freight
Engine 7814 "Fringford Manor" with a Gloucester to Sharpness freight. The branch line to Dursley veers away in the foreground. (August 19th 1965 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Express passes Coaley Junction
LNER B1 61153 heads north through Coaley Junction with an up express.
(August 29th 1964 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Engine 78006 with the weedkilling train
The weedkilling train hauled by engine 78006 comes off the loop at Coaley Junction.
(June 10th 1965 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)		  
    Enroute to the scrapyard
On a fine spring day engine 44146 hauls 53808 past Coaley Junction enroute to Barry Scrap Yard in South Wales.
(May 14th 1964 - copyright Gilroy Kerr)