Kingsley & Froghall
Brief History
Kingsley & Froghall station was a busy location on the North Rode to Uttoxeter double track diversionary route built by the North Staffordshire Railway in 1849. Froghall was surrounded by thriving industry and the less than busy passenger service was boosted by freight serving nearby industries the biggest being Bolton's works, the buildings remain to this day (disused). The area boasted two signal boxes, one at Bolton's siding just north of the station which controlled loops and sidings off into the complex and the other at Froghall Junction south of the station. Again the proximity of the canal meant the Up platform, like Consall was overhanging for part of it's length. The Down platform had an impressive station building very similar to Cheddleton's and watering facilities and the Up had a water column and large waiting shelter. Froghall lost it's passenger services in the 60's through the Beeching cutbacks and all the loops and signal boxes were closed and lifted. The station was soon demolished with nothing but the Up platform surviving. All the station buildings and shelters along with the nearby signal boxes were removed and just a single track ran through the site. The station was claimed by nature and became mounds of rubble and earth.
Reopening
The CVR purchased this section of line in 1996 and all that was left were two grassy mounds. After extending to Leekbrook and Consall, attention turned to the Consall-Froghall section of line after 1998. Like Consall, the Down platform was rebuilt first, with a portacabin station building and run round loop ready for the first passengers in 2001. A £250,000 replacement station building has been constructed and the Down platform is now relatively complete having been resurfaced. Fencing, seats, flowers and watering facilities have also been rebuilt. An old signal box is also on this platform, in use as an office. Replica gas lamps have returned to this station, the originals having been donated from a local farmer who saved them when they were being demolished in the 60's with the intention of returning them once preservationists were restoring the area. In 2007, attention turned to the opposite platform which lay disused.
2007/2008 Redevelopment: The Up Platform
By 2007 the down platform had pretty much been completed and work started on the second (up) platform. After vegetation clearance was complete, the overhanging section of the platform (see below left) was reconstructed with new supports, decking and fencing going in. The waiting shelter was also recreated at the same time with a framework being erected first, before the roof and cladding were added. The whole shelter was then painted and a seat and lighting added to finish it off. A wall between the shelter and the bridge was then built on the foundations of the original (see left) before the rest of the wooden fencing from the overhanging section to the Oakamoor end of the platform was installed. There were no footbridges on the line when built so passengers had to cross the line by walking to the ends of the platforms and crossing on a foot (barrow) crossing. The original was at the Consall (bridge) end but heath and safety issues have resulted in the reconstructed one being located at the south (Oakamoor) end. This is now also complete. Replica gas lamps have returned to the platform painted in the cream colour to match the shelter (you can just make one out in front of the shelter in the left image). Much of the platform has been resurfaced to provide a smooth surface after years of neglect. The polatform opened in the summer of 2008, coinciding with the opening of a new heritage trail between Froghall and Consall stations.
The Future
Much of Froghall station is now complete after the opening of the Up platform. Future projects may involve the return of a signal box and signals as the station is currently limited to one train only. Part of the Bolton's site may one day become railway workshops and any future extension to the sidings at Oakamoor would mean the return of through running for Froghall. It is hoped that the new platform can be used for a future shuttle service to Oakamoor during special events.
