View source for Minsterley branch line

{{Short description|Railway in Shropshire, England.}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name        = Minsterley branch line
|image       = Minsterley station.jpg
|image_width = 280px
|caption     = A rail tour at Minsterley station 11 September 1965
|type        = 
|system      = 
|locale      = [[Shropshire]]
|start       = Cruckmeole Junction<br>{{coord|52.6779|-2.8411|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline|format=dms|name=Cruckmeole Junction}}
|end         = Minsterley railway station<br>{{coord|52.6408|-2.9243|region:GB_type:railwaystation|display=inline|format=dms|name=Minsterley station}}
|stations    = 3
|open        = 1861
|close       =1967
|owner       = [[Great Western Railway]] <br> [[London and North Western Railway]]
|operator    = 
|character   = 
|stock     = 
|linelength  = {{convert|6.5|mi|abbr=on}}
|tracks     = 1
|gauge       = {{RailGauge|sg|allk=on}}
|old_gauge      = 
|speed       = 
}}
{{Minsterley Branch Line}}

The '''Minsterley branch''' was a short [[railway]] line that ran from [[Cruckmeole]] Junction on the [[Cambrian Line]] just south of [[Shrewsbury]] to [[Minsterley]] in [[Shropshire]]. The six-and-a-half mile [[standard gauge]] line was the only section built of a plan to connect Shrewsbury with [[mid Wales]]. It was part of a joint venture between the [[Great Western Railway]] and [[London and North Western Railway]] companies.

==History==
===Plans===
The route, which was conceived in the late 1850s, was planned to connect Shrewsbury via [[Hanwood]] on the Cambrian Line, with [[Pontesbury]], [[Minsterley]], [[Montgomery, Powys|Montgomery]] and [[Newtown, Powys|Newtown]]. Services would also be able to continue to the Welsh coast. At Pontesbury station, transfer sidings connected the [[narrow gauge]] [[Snailbeach District Railways|Snailbeach District Railway]], which ran to lead mines at [[Snailbeach]].

===Opening===
On 14 February 1861, the first section of line was opened from [[Cruckmeole]] Junction, on the Cambrian Line, to Minsterley. However, with the northerly section of the Cambrian main line into Wales opening the following year (connecting Newtown via [[Welshpool railway station|Welshpool]] to Shrewsbury), it became apparent there was little need to continue beyond Minsterley. The station became the terminus of the truncated line.

===Decline and closure===
Passenger services ceased to Minsterley in 1951, although [[Hanwood railway station|Hanwood station]] on the Cambrian Line remained open to passengers until 1960 and to goods until 1964. The branch line continued to carry goods (mainly for the Minsterley Creamery) until 1967 when the line was closed. The track was lifted after closure.

==Preservation==
[[File:Old railway bridge abutment - geograph.org.uk - 487437.jpg|left|thumb|280px|The remains of the bridge abutments which carried the Minsterley line from [[Cruckmeole]] Junction on the [[Cambrian Line]]]]The above photo is of a different line heading towards nesscliffe from cruckmeole. 
Much of the old trackbed has now been redeveloped though some rail infrastructure remains, such as bridge abutments. The Minsterley station site has been used as a meat processing factory. A large dairy-related factory also exists on either side of the old trackbed (just before the terminus) and the [[stationmaster]]'s house has been converted to a private residence.
{{-}}

==References==
* {{cite book| ISBN = 9781445642994|year= 2015|first= Stanley C.|last= Jenkins|title=The Great Western Railway Volume Five Shrewsbury to Pwllheli|publisher=Amberley Publishing}}

{{GeoGroup}}
{{coord|52.6541|-2.8779|region:GB_dim:10000|format=dms|display=title}}

[[Category:History of Shropshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Shropshire]]
[[Category:1861 establishments in England]]