On the 17th June 1852 the London Tilbury and Southend
Extension Railway Act was passed, authorising the construction of a new section of line between
Forest Gate and Southend via Tilbury. As the route passed through Pitsea a station was planned
though the original site chosen was at Vange where the Fobbing crossing is today. In the event,
this proved not to be, and after acquiring a small portion of land adjacent to Pitsea Hall, the
station was finally built and opened on 1st July 1855.
When the new 'direct route' to London opened on 1st June 1888 the station was slightly resited to
accommodate the extra platforms. Space for the new line had been very restricted, and with a need
to provide adequate banking against possible subsidence, an impressive series of brick
built blind arches were constructed, which necessitated a speed restriction due to a tight curve. In recognition of
Pitsea's new junction status the station nameboards displayed Pitsea Junction,
though the station was never officially recognised as such in timetables or official
documentation. From 18th July 1932 the station was named Pitsea for Vange which lasted though to December 1952 when
the station once again became Pitsea, which it remains today. The only other addition occurred during the 1950s
and 1960s in recognition of the then station-less new town being developed the words 'ALIGHT HERE
FOR BASILDON' were added to a separate nameboard hung below the Pitsea nameboard on at least two
of the platforms. From the 1930s onwards local bus operator Campbell's provided a bus service from Pitsea Station
to Gales Corner, Vange. Eastern National would later acquire Campbell's in 1956, and during the
expansion of Basildon began service 244, which over time, would provide a direct service to
Laindon Station via Whitmore Way, the town centre and Laindon Link. On Sunday 30th July
1961 an eight coach steam train being pulled by a 4MT 2-6-4 on its approach to Pitsea was in collision with a tipper truck
on the Pitsea Hall Occupation level crossing. The truck driver, who was conveying spoil from new local
developments taking place at the time, was killed in the accident. During the early 1970s the original Station House
was demolished; the station cottages having been demolished some years earlier; and replaced with a single storey ticket
office, which opened on 11th October 1971. This lasted until June 2004, and having been closed since 2000 due to
structural defects was demolished and replaced with a new modern complex, which was officially unveiled in November
2005. Another change occurring in the 2000s was the extensions to platforms 3 and 4, which serve the Tilbury loop. Aside from the main station buildings a wharf also existed and it was here that the Campbell family
first established a coal merchants business in the early 1890s. The family were originally from
Ireland before settling in the area, later establishing Campbell's Motor Services. | 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
