This station was opened by the L&SWR on 19 July 1860, as 'Chard Road' on the route from London Waterloo station to Exeter.
The word 'Road' in the station name indicated that whilst it was intended to serve Chard, it was not in the town but rather on the road outside.
The branch to Chard opened on 8 May 1863 but the station was not renamed 'Chard Junction' until August 1872.
The platform used by branch services was on the north side of the station forecourt, instead of alongside the main platforms which is the usual arrangement at most junction stations.
The track layout did not allow trains to run directly between the branch and main line, instead traffic to and from the branch had to be shunted through a connection in the goods yard which was at the Exeter end of the station between the main and branch lines.

It was closed by British Rail on 7 March 1966.
The signal box built in 1875 was retained to control sidings and a passing loop and was only replaced by a more modern structure in 1982.
This station was opened by the L&SWR on 19 July 1860, as 'Chard Road' on the route from London Waterloo station to Exeter. The word 'Road' in the station name indicated that whilst it was intended to serve Chard, it was not in the town but rather on the road outside. The branch to Chard opened on 8 May 1863 but the station was not renamed 'Chard Junction' until August 1872. The platform used by branch services was on the north side of the station forecourt, instead of alongside the main platforms which is the usual arrangement at most junction stations. The track layout did not allow trains to run directly between the branch and main line, instead traffic to and from the branch had to be shunted through a connection in the goods yard which was at the Exeter end of the station between the main and branch lines.
It was closed by British Rail on 7 March 1966. The signal box built in 1875 was retained to control sidings and a passing loop and was only replaced by a more modern structure in 1982.
Chard branch line