Saunderton Station

Research by Dennis Claydon

Hard to Imagine

It is hard now to appreciate how the laying of the railway along the Saunderton valley in the latter half of the last century would have affected the lives of those living in the surrounding area. The introduction of the steam train into the countryside which, hitherto, had relied for generations upon "shanks pony" and the horse must have created a complete revolution in travel terms.

The Railway

The Wycombe Railway Company was formed in 1846. By 1854 a line had been constructed from Maidenhead to High Wycombe. Work continued to extend this line via the Saunderton valley and Princes Risborough to Thame. Construction in a broad gauge of seven feet, completion of the Thame extension was achieved in 1862, followed in 1864 with a further extension to Oxford. Around 1870 the ownership of the line passed to the Great Western Railway who converted the track to the national standard gauge of four feet eight and a half inches, still current today..

The Workhouse

Several years before the coming of the railway the Wycombe Poor Law Union erected a Workhouse at Saunderton. This building served thirty three parishes, an area of one hundred and forty seven square miles and stood in eleven acres of garden on the site now occupied by Ortho (Cilag Ltd) Pharmaceuticals.

Request for a Station

In 1885 the guardians of the establishment considered the close proximity of the railway and decided a station, presumably for the delivery of supplies, would be a great convenience. They approached the railway authorities with their idea but the GWR refused the request. A similar request, or failing that, permission to halt trains on alternate Mondays, followed in 1889. Again the GWR refused believing the proposition to be uneconomical. The building of a Public Institution "five miles from anywhere" was, in the opinion of the GWR, a grave error of judgement on the part of the local authorities.

Opinions Change

With the growing importance of the line for express traffic between London and the Midlands business flourished. The dawning of a new century saw the conversion to double track between High Wycombe and Princes Risborough plus the building of a station at Saunderton. The purpose of the station, it was claimed, was not only to serve Saunderton but the surrounding villages of Bledlow Ridge, Lacey Green and Loosley Row and Speen.

Saunderton Station Passenger Heyday

In its heyday it certainly played a leading role in village life, presenting a fully-staffed station with a high degree of discipline. Within living memory, before the advent of bus services and with few cars in use, it was the main point of arrival and departure for travellers to Lacey Green and Loosley Row. Situated about two and a half miles from either village the distance would be covered bon foot by most villagers but a pony and trap could be hired to transport passengers and luggage. There were those who can still testify to walking daily from Lacey Green in all weathers and seasons, via Church Lane footpath and Smalldean Lane, to catch the train to attend school in High Wycombe. Imagine the uproar at the mere suggestion of such a journey today!!

Saunderton Station Goods Heyday

The station also once boasted of serving the local community with a thriving business in goods traffic. A story is told of a gentleman residing in Lacey Green, over seventy years ago, who ordered some young fruit trees from a distant nursery. In due course he was advised these were awaiting collection at Saunderton Station. The gentleman's son, a reliable and honest fourteen year year old, was sent to collect them. On arrival at the station the lad knocked on the Station Master's Office door, entered and stated the reason for his visit and his intended task. Immediately, the Station Master accusedthe boy of entereing without knocking and despite protests to the contrary the lad received a severe reprimand. The trees were eventually safely delivered to Lacey Green. The following day, however, a visit was made by the Station Master to the boy's father to report the incident!

National Headlines

At least twice in its history the station appears to have attracted national headlines. Once for the part it played in apprehending criminals, also for a devastating fire.

The Burglars

It was the discovery of two first class season tickets, issued from this station in its early days, which enabled police to solve a mysterious series of crimes. By chance, after widespread investigations by Scotland Yard regarding a number of burglaries committed throughout London and southern England, two men were Questioned in Surrey. The season tickets in their possession led to the recovery of £250,000 worth of stolen property which had been amassed in their hideaway cottage at Lacey Green. click Raffles in Real Life for more.

Fire by the Suffragettes

Amenity Name	Saunderton Station
Current Status (Active/Inactive)	active
Founded Date
Closure Date

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