The first train to thunder across what we now call Station Road would have looked distinctly odd to our eyes: the locomotive shown at the head of this page was typical - I say 'thunder' and no doubt to people used to the sedate pace of a horse & cart, the passage of these 'monsters' would have seemed alarming: in fact average speeds were not much more than 25 m.p.h. in the early years.

The footplate crew were fully exposed to the elements and third-class passengers were also condemned to endure the rigours of English weather in an open truck.