The original railway station at Estcourt was built in 1885.

Winston Churchill together with the war correspondent for “The Manchester Guardian” occupied a bell tent, which stood in the shunting triangle immediately opposite the station. It was there that the armoured train left on the morning of November 15, 1899 and Churchill was captured by Boer forces when the train derailed on its way back from Chieveley.

A re-enactment of the incident was planned for November 13, 1999 using a steam train between Estcourt and Chieveley. Winston’s grandson and granddaughter were among the invited guests who travelled on the train.