New information board and plaque mark ‘Railway 200’ at Newmarket train station

A new interpretation board and commemorative plaque have been unveiled at Newmarket railway station, marking the town’s rich railway heritage as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations.

The initiative, led jointly by Discover Newmarket and Newmarket Town Council, highlights the pivotal role the railway played in shaping Newmarket’s identity as the home of British horseracing.

The newly installed information board explores the history of the town’s three railway stations, each closely connected to the horse – whether transporting racehorses, moving carriages, or bringing visitors to the renowned racecourses.

Central to the display is the story of Charlie, the last of Newmarket’s railway ‘shunt horses’ (pictured above).

Serving on the line from 1939 until his retirement in 1967, Charlie is fondly remembered by local residents and is now honoured with a dedicated plaque.

Tracey Harding, CEO of Discover Newmarket and chair of the Community Railway Partnership serving Newmarket station, said: “We are delighted to unveil this new information board and plaque as part of the national Railway 200 initiative. It highlights the crucial role the railway played in establishing and expanding Newmarket as the home of British horseracing.”

The Mayor of Newmarket, Philippa Winter, added: “We believe visitors and residents alike will be fascinated to learn that Newmarket once had three railway stations.

“In a town so closely associated with horses, we are especially pleased to formally recognise Charlie, the last shunt horse to work on the line.”

At the unveiling ceremony on Friday, April 17, thanks were extended to local historian Dr Rachel Wood for her invaluable contribution to the project.

Her research reveals how the arrival of the Newmarket and Chesterford Railway in 1848 transformed the town.

Prior to its opening, much of the land south of the High Street and Palace Street consisted of paddocks and fields.

The railway spurred rapid development, with Victorian terraces built to house railway workers and a growing population leading to the establishment of All Saints’ School in 1869 and the rebuilding of All Saints Church in 1877.

The interpretation board details the evolution of Newmarket’s three stations.

The first, opened in 1848 near the junction of All Saints Road and Old Station Road, featured a goods shed and expansive yard.

By 1902, increasing rail traffic led to the opening of two new passenger stations, while the original site became a major freight hub.

It handled significant volumes of coal and grain, military transport during the build-up to D-Day in 1944, Sprite caravans until the 1960s, and – true to Newmarket’s heritage – thousands of racehorses transported in specialised horseboxes across the country.

In 1854, a single-track tunnel was constructed beneath Warren Hill’s training grounds, emerging just north of Bury Road.

Still in use today, this tunnel remains one of the most significant surviving features of Newmarket’s Victorian railway infrastructure.

Warren Hill Station later opened in 1885 at its northern entrance, serving racegoers travelling from the East and North.

The town’s third station opened on April 7, 1902, on land provided by Colonel Harry McCalmont.

Designed to offer an impressive arrival point for visitors from London and the south, it featured grand buildings and a wide forecourt.

To accommodate large crowds after race meetings, Platform 2 extended an impressive 1,160ft (354 metres), reaching almost to Woodditton Road.

From the 1960s onwards, rail services were gradually reduced, and the station’s grand buildings were sold.

Today, Newmarket is served by a single-track line and a more modest station.

The new interpretation board aims to bring this rich history to life, and plans are currently underway to develop a public walking route linking the historic railway sites.