A guide, descriptive and historical, through the Town of Shrewsbury

by W. A. Leighton

The Goods, Engine Station, and Coal Depôts of the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway are situated between Coton Hill and the General Passenger Station, with convenient access from the Castle Foregate Street, where an abundant supply of Welsh Coal and Lime is always on hand.

Branch lines diverge from behind the railway platforms, which pass under Howard Street to the Canal Wharf, where is the Depôt of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Coals and Cokes.

The Station House and Offices were designed by Mr. Thomas Penson, jun. of Oswestry. The Engineering works by Messrs. Robertson and Baylis. The former cost £6,000, the latter about £45,000, and the Goods, Engine, Station, and other necessary works, above £20,000.

The total cost of the above works, together with the Viaduct over the river Severn, and the brick Bridge over Cross Street, including land and buildings, exceeds £100,000.

The whole of the works have been executed by Mr. Brassey, the Contractor, under the direction of Mr. James Baylis, the resident Engineer, at the joint expense of the four Railway Companies whose lines unite in Shrewsbury.

The Railway to Chester was first opened October 12th, 1848. The line to Birmingham, November 12th, 1849. The line to Hereford was opened to Ludlow, April, 1852; and throughout, October 31st, 1853.

Turning on the left, immediately opposite the entrance to the Railway Station, we pass on the same side, the Road leading across the Raven Meadow to Mardol. This meadow is now converted into a spacious and convenient

SMITHFIELD, OR CATTLE MARKET,

a great boon to the town, inasmuch as the Fairs were previously held in the open streets, to the great annoyance, in point of cleanliness and convenience, of inhabitants and passengers.

The works with the site cost about £13,000, and are capable of affording accommodation for 700 horses, (with extensive trial grounds for the same), 1,400 cattle, 5,000 sheep, and 1,000 pigs, with suitable receptacles for sheep and cattle coming to town previously to the fairs which occur on the alternate Tuesdays in every month.