Hatton railway station (England)


Hatton railway station takes the name of the village of Hatton in Warwickshire, England, although it is about from the village. It is situated in the linear settlement of the same name, that evolved around the station, mainly in the 1950's and 60's. Other close settlements are Little Shrewley and Shrewley. The station is managed by Chiltern Railways.
Hatton is the junction station at which the lines from Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon and Birmingham diverge. The station is unstaffed; ticketing is restricted to a 'Permit-to-Travel' machine located at the single entrance to the station on the London-bound platform. There is a small shelter on Platform 1 and also one on the island platform, which consists of Platforms 2 and 3. A footbridge links Platform 1 with island Platform 2/3.
Each platform at the station is equipped with a real-time electronic information departure screen.

History

The station dates from 1852, with the branch to Stratford opening in 1860. It sits part way along a 5-mile long rising section of line with a ruling gradient of 1 in 110 for northbound trains known as Hatton Bank - this section was often difficult to negotiate for heavy freights and the use of banking engines was commonplace. The station had its platforms extended in 1892 and further remodelling of the track in the area would follow over the next two decades. By 1939 the branch had been doubled, but the western end to Alcester was closed in 1951 and it reverted to single track in 1969, when signalling control was transferred to the newly commissioned panel box at Saltley.

Services

Off-peak, all services at Hatton are operated by Chiltern Railways. The current off-peak service is:
These services combine to give an hourly service off-peak.
During the peak hours, the service is strengthened with Chiltern Trains between London and Birmingham making calls at the station. Additional services on the Snow Hill lines operated by West Midlands Railway also call here during the peak hours.