Description:The station was on the main line from Rugby to Stafford. The station was built by the London & North Western Railway (LNWR) in 1847, having been designed by John Livock for the Trent Valley Railway, which became part of the LNWR on its formation in 1846. The platform canopy and footbridge were added in 1890-91. The platform and buildings were demolished in 1907-08 to make room for an additional two railway lines in connection with the widening from Colwich to Rugeley. A new station complex was built which lasted until the railway was modernised in the late 1960s, and was in turn replaced by a small shelter.
The railway lines are still in use (2025) and form part of the busy West Coast Main line.
The man crossing the tracks may be the Stationmaster at the time, John Robinson. Robinson was killed at the station on the 8th January 1894 .
On the 12th January 1894, The Litchfield Mercury reported the death of Robinson:
“A Stationmaster killed
While Mr John Robinson, stationmaster, was superintending the shunting of some coal-trucks on the siding at the Trent Valley Station, Rugeley, a day or two ago, his foot slipped, and he fell upon the lines, three loaded trucks passing over his body and cutting it to pieces. The accident was discovered a few minutes later, and the said news conveyed to his residence, where a supper party was in progress. Deceased, has had more than one narrow escape lately of being run over, had been in the service of the London and North- Western Railway Company all his life, and stationmaster at Rugeley for nearly a quarter of a century. He leaves a widow and one son. At the inquest on Tuesday, the jury returned a verdict of 'accidental death'; and the Coroner (Mr. Jordon), on behalf of the jury, promised to write to the company on behalf of the deceased relatives.”
(Additional information kindly provided by Richard Strugnell)