LOW STREET STATION WAS ADDED TO THE LONDON TILBURY AND SOUTHEND RAILWAY NETWORK AT AROUND 1850. IT SERVED THE SMALL VILLAGE OF WEST TILBURY. IT WAS SAID THAT THE COMPANY WAS APPROACHED BY THE PEOPLE OF WEST TILBURY TO ERECT A STATION AT LOW STREET, AND THE STATION WOULD ALSO SERVE EAST TILBURY WHICH IS THREE AND A HALF MILES AWAY.
THE EXACT DATE WHEN IT WENT INTO OPERATION IS NOT KNOWN, BUT IT IS THOUGHT TO BE AROUND 1861.
THE STATION WAS SAID TO HAVE COST £630, WITH A VERY PLAIN BRICK BUILDING, 200FT PLATFORMS AND A SMALL GOODS SHED AND SIDINGS. THERE WERE NO BUILDINGS ON THE DOWN PLATFORM AND NO SHELTERS AT THAT TIME. LATER ADDITIONAL SIDINGS WERE ADDED TO SERVE A BALLAST PIT.
IT ALSO HAD COTTAGES (WHICH WERE CALLED LOW STREET RAILWAY COTTAGES) BUILT BY THE RAIL COMPANY FOR RAILWAY STATION WORKERS SUCH AS PORTERS, TICKET COLLECTORS ETC. AND THEIR FAMILIES .
IN THE 1960s, THE LINE WAS ELECTRIFIED. IT WAS NOT A GREAT SUCCESS. AN INCREASING USE OF EAST TILBURY AND BEING OUT IN THE RURAL PART OF TILBURY LED TO THE CLOSURE OF LOW STREET IN 1967.
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My Nan lived in these cottages, her dad worked there. I am trying to find anything related to him. My nan is now 87 and often shares her memories. She was the youngest of three sisters, Ivy, Eva and my nan Jean. If anyone can help me please do. Thankyou, kirsty, jeans granddaughter x
In the last years of its existence the station in the Low Street area of Tilbury had top entry lanterns instead of more familiar GEC Z8588 post top lanterns.
My Dad used to work the signal box in the early 1970’s. I was a young teenager and spent the day shift with him there a few times and helped to operate the crossing gates. As the station was then long gone by then, he got to work via Tilbury Riverside and walked along the tracks. It seemed like we were in the middle of the countryside at the time. Fond memories.
My Grandparents, the Fears lived in the railway cottages at Low Street, 3rd from the crossing. I managed to get through to them on Sunday 6th Sep 2020, well overgrown now, the roof has collapsed after a fire a few years ago. Brought back memories when I used to visit and play. An old Armstrong Siddelely Sapphire car is still in the collapsed garage, burnt out and rusting away.
I knew I recognised you from somewhere but no one knew your maiden name Barbara Biggs. Is Peter still local? As you say living at Low Street was like living in a Victorian bubble. No electricity, frosty windows but memorable times.
I used to live in the railway cottages in the late fifties loved living their no gas or electricity went to bed with candles & tilly lamps my mum & dad made it so cosy was very sad to leave to live in Chadwell-st-Mary council house which was not so romantic
Edwards Sargeant – My great grandad used to work there too, Mr Hunt?
This was indeed a typical country station, very quaint and friendly. We used to play at the sidings as children.
Edward Sargeant , I think I remember you.
I also recall that nearby there is/was a track connecting the Fenchurch line to the Victoria line with Basildon.
I’m sure someone will correct this soon enough.
Low street did indeed close in 1967 to passenger traffic and the goods closed in 1964. I can confirm that this as I was on duty as porter and closed the station turned out the lights after the last train. In a couple of photos I can see my honda 50 motor cycle onthe platformbecause i was on duty at time of taking
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