The famous railway pioneer Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself would have approved. Bradford on Avon Station celebrated 150 years of rail travel at a special ceremony on Friday 2 February 2007.

The station welcomed a large gathering of dignitaries and railway enthusiasts who watched the Mayor of Bradford-on-Avon, Cllr Peter Leach, unveil a special plaque to commemorate the station’s opening on 2 February 1856.
Among those supporting the event and enjoying a slice of the special celebration cake were MP Dr Andrew Murrison, Sir Alec Moulton, founder of Moulton Cycles and First Great Western’s Customer Services Director Glenda Lamont.

“First Great Western is very proud to support the station and to be part of this special celebration,” said Glenda. “I am pleased that there will soon be a refurbished waiting room in this beautiful listed building and new access facilities for customers with disabilities.”

The ceremony was organised by Dave Walden, who operates the station, Pete Jobson, Station Manager Wilts and Dorset and the West Wilts Rail Users Group. It is part of a programme of events to celebrate the 150th anniversary, involving Steam Bradford on Avon 150. “We are currently raising funds to bring a steam engine to be displayed outside the station on the 21st and 22nd of July,” said project leader Lesley Harris. “We are getting a tank engine from the Severn Valley Light Railway and enthusiasts will be able to stand on the footplate and imagine being a steam engine driver.”