Notes: The branch from West Drayton to Uxbridge was authorised
in 1853. Work on the line which was just over two miles in length,
started in 1854 and following a Board of Trade inspection the
first passengers were carried on 8th September 1856.
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When line was under construction local residents requested a
station at Cowley but this was turned down by the GWR stating
there was insufficient demand. Eventually the company relented
and a station was built, opening on 1st October 1904. The station
had two platforms with the main brick building including booking
office and waiting rooms on the up side. A |
small waiting shelter
was provided on the down side. The station was never provided
with goods facilities. (For a more detailed history of the branch
see Uxbridge
Vine Street)
Following closure in 1962 the station was given
a brief new use two years later when it was featured in a
WW2 television drama 'All is a dream to me' with Donald Sutherland.
In the film the station came under attack by the Luftwaffe. Shortly after the film was made the station buildings were demolished and the track was lifted in March/April 1965.
The site remained undeveloped for many years but is now used
for housing (Ruxley Close). To the north of Station Road bridge
the cutting alongside Brunel University has been infilled but
a short length of track bed running parallel with Cleveland Road,
Cowley has been retained as a nature reserve and a short length
of broad gauge track has been laid along it. |
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Further reading: GWR Disused Stations in Greater London by J.E.
Connor - Connor & Butler 2000 ISBN 0 947699 31 7
Other web sites: Abandoned
Tube Stations - includes photographs of the branch in 2005
See also Uxbridge
Vine Street
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