The Great Eastern Railway Era



The GER act renewed the authorisation to extend to Cambridge, construction of the line began at Shelford and continued to the new GER station at Haverhill, a connecting line to the CV&HR was also constructed. This section of the line opened on the 1st June 1865. There were initially 3 trains per day both ways on this section of the line.

Viaduct Stone
The Sturmer Arches which link the CVR with the GER at Haverhill

The other sections between Haverhill and Sudbury as well as Melford to Bury opened on the 9th August 1865. The opening of the extension required a new station at Sudbury, this consisted of two platforms on a curve to the west of the original station. At Haverhill once the GER station opened (Haverhill North) most passenger trains on the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway operated to and from the GER station to allow passengers to make onward connections to Cambridge rather than their own station (Haverhill South).

By 1890 there were six trains a day between Marks Tey and Sudbury (weekdays) and 3 on Sundays, there were 5 services to Bury St Edmunds and 4 between Cambridge and Sudbury. The line was also well used by many different freight trains.
On the 1st July 1898 the Great Eastern Railway received Royal assent to purchase the line from the CSVS&HR who they were leasing the line from. At this point the original Stour Valley Railway ceased to exist.

GER Sign
Great Eastern Railway Sign

For many years after this date the Stour Valley Lines continued to do well. Of note the only station which had not attracted enough traffic to justify its existence was Bury East Gate, this station closed on 1st May 1909.
Summer 1914 and seven trains operated daily between Marks Tey and Sudbury, with 4 of these being through services to/from London. The War also did little stop the success of the lines. On the 1st October 1914 Chappel station was renamed "Chappel and Wakes Colne"

The LNER Days ---->


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History


In this section you can find out about the Stour Valley Line, from its opening in 1849 right through the years of its expansion, then decline, then stability under BR which led the way for the investment from the privatised railway in the late 90s and now.

Whatever your interest in Railways, this section should have something for you. If you feel that anything has been missed please get in touch.