St Agnes Railway Station

This station is long closed (1963) after a life only in the twentieth century. The line it was on was built by the GWR as a defensive measure to ensure the rival London and South Western company had no chance to reach Newquay. The line branched off the main Penzance line some 6 miles west of Truro and headed north towards St Agnes. It passed quite by Perranporth and eventually reached Newquay. From Truro to Newquay is about ten miles in a straight line. The railway route was twice as long. It all opened in 1905.

St Agnes station was really in name only. Holiday makers, equipped with cases, would have needed onward transport into the little town. The station is a mile or more from St Agnes.

We found it by chance after a wrong turning and I had said, ‘that looks like a railway station’. I wanted to see it properly.

So, on the morning of 3^rd July we parked up and I took a wander. The station building purported to be some kind of shop and said ‘open’ so I went in. Nobody was about but the owner clearly has railway enthusiasm.

There’s a station lamp although I doubt that the lettering is original.

His station master sign is obviously modern.

There are bits of memorabilia although I don’t suppose many LNER trucks made it to St Agnes. The photo shows the station in use.

Another lamp.

Oh yes, who ever owned this place appeared to be a Betty Boop fan as well.

The building, which had caught my eye in the first place was utterly a railway station.

The station front above and the old platform side below.

It’s well equipped with virol ads.

Then we spotted something across the old goods yard.

Yes, there is even an old diesel shunting loco at St Agnes. I think this was a Devonport dock shunter.

And there we have St Agnes Station – a surprise in the middle of nowhere!