Southampton Terminus railway station

Southampton Terminus
Terminus Station, now a casino
Location
Place	Southampton
Area	City of Southampton
Grid reference	SU425110
Operations
Original company	London and Southampton Railway
Pre-grouping	London & South Western Railway
Post-grouping	Southern Railway
Platforms	6
History
11 May 1840	Opened as Southampton
July 1858	Renamed to Southampton Docks
Sept 1896	Renamed to Southampton Town & Docks
Nov 1912	Renamed to Southampton Town for Docks
9 July 1923	Renamed to Southampton Terminus (for Docks)
5 Sep 1966	Closed to passengers
Dec 1967	Closed to freight
Disused railway stations in the United Kingdom
Closed railway stations in Britain A B C D–F G H–J K–L M–O P–R S T–V W–Z

Southampton Terminus railway station served the docks and city centre of Southampton, England. The station was first authorised on 25 July 1834, it began as the terminus of the London and South Western Railway (which was the London and Southampton Railway until the line opened). The station opened on 10 June 1839 as "Southampton", although it was not officially operational until 11 May 1840, due to the track not being fully linked between Winchester and Basingstoke.

The former terminus station was built in 1839–40 for the London and Southampton Railway, to the design of Sir William Tite. The LSWR added the large South Western Hotel which rather dwarfs the station. The line was later extended into the Ocean Dock Terminal to allow boat trains to terminate on the quayside.

During the building of the track between Winchester and Basingstoke, the London and Southampton Railway company renamed itself the London and South Western Railway. When it opened it was the only station in the area and so called "Southampton". Initially it had two platforms and an engine shed.

The station did not originally handle passenger services because of a dispute over running rights. To overcome this, a small open platform at Northam Road, opened. Access was from Bridge Road Level Crossing which was demolished in 1882 when the new "Central Bridge" was built. This remains a major route into Southampton from Woolston; at both ends of the bridge are plaques dedicated to the railway.

In 1847 engine sheds and a turntable were built.

During July 1858 Southampton was renamed "Southampton Docks" to distinguish it from "Southampton West" Railway Station. During the 1860s, additional sidings and sheds were built, followed by the "Imperial Hotel".