The demise of Birmingham Snow Hill Station

The growth of Britain's railway network in the 1800's demanded that a station be built in Birmingham by the Great Western Railway Co. on the main line from Paddington Station (London) to Wolverhampton Low Level. 

In 1852 Livery Street Station was first opened for passenger traffic, and was renamed in 1858 as Snow Hill Station.

During the 1900's the station was reconstructed and opened in its final appearance in 1912.

The West Coast Main Line was to be the preferred route in and out of London resulting from  the Beeching report. As a consequence Snow Hill only remained open during the West Coast Main Line upgrade and electrification, and was then closed in the 1970's. The tunnel leading to Snow Hill was closed in 1967.

However there has been a resurgence in rail travel and Chiltern Railways now run a very good alternative service from Birmingham Moor Steet and Birmingham Snow Hill to London Marylebone. British Railways rebuilt the present Snow Hill station in 1980 and traffic to London commenced in 1993. The station is shared by the Midland Metro.

The following two photographs are from the 1950's

 The old booking all, minus its roof!

 Looking towards the tunnel mouth

The Snow Hill tunnel is of cut and cover construction with many business and other commercial buildings in use on top.

LAMMA

The Nottinghamshire County Showground at Newark hosted for the last time LAMMA. This is a huge agricultural and machinery event, held every January. Some people question why in January. The farming industry is notoriously quiet at this time of the year, and is ideal for farmers, land owners and students to view all the latest products. Millions of pounds worth of deals are completed at this event, many to overseas customers. Some visitors arrive by helicopter, but many by car or coach. This year was the largest ever, but was affected by the very cold weather conditions. 

A vintage section is afforded to us, and below is a selection of photographs taken at this years event.

On the 9th January 1893, the first every underground railway was opened in London from Paddington to Farringdon Street. The Victorian 'cut and cover' construction still in use after some 150 year was the start of an ever expanding underground network, with deep 'tube' facilities moving millions of people every year. It is a vital artery within our capital and has witnessed countless events throughout its working life. As the population increases, then more demands are put on the network and expansion is always a political and expensive 'hot potato'. However, expansion does continue to this very day, and no doubt will continue for many years to come.

Here is a selection of photographs taken in 1861 during the construct of the early line.

 This photograph below is at Westminster, you can just see through the London fog and gloom.

 This photograph is in Praed Street, Paddington. The twin towers building is still there and is Praed Street Hilton Hotel. The fan like steel work in the distance is the early Paddington Station.

One thing that is totally obvious to all, is the amount of man power and navvies required. All working under harsh conditions, there was no health and safety in those days, no employment laws as such. Poor pay and conditions and the lack of safety clothing. No hard hats or Hi Viz clothing.

During the latter days of 2012, me and Matthew Bisp visited once again the Fairground Heritage Museum, buried in the heart of very rural Devon. We were staying at Brixham and due to the poor weather we decided to visit the living and working museum. The journey took us across Dartmoor. Matthew had never viewed the prison (Dartmoor) at Princetown before. Its granite walls, grey and foreboding cannot fail to sent a shiver down your spine. Anyway onto the museum, and this restored and fully working speedway ride is always our favorite. 

The North Worcestershire Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, held its annual New Year's Day Road Run, starting from S.E. Davis & Son, Astwood Bank. Running a 15.5 mile route, through Cookhill, Weethely, Dunnington, Broom, Wixford and finally Alcester, before finishing at the Moat House Inn, Coughton for lunch. Here we have a selection of photographs, courtesy of Matthew Bisp.