‘I cried when the railway closed at Shillingstone’

“I cried the day it shut,” said Antell. “I think a lot of people did – it was such an emotional time.”

Now the station is busy once again because, for the last two decades, an army of volunteers has been lovingly restoring and rebuilding it to create a free-to-enter museum and cafe – and, in 2025, a steam locomotive ran for the first time on half a mile of re-laid track.

Antell, now 73, will be marking the anniversary at the station, along with the many other enthusiasts who have been working to bring the line back to life.

The weekend-long event will include traction engines, vintage buses and guided tours around the station and signal box. The resident steam loco 30075 will also be on the platform so visitors can look inside.