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.

The Lickey Incline March 2012

Yes this has to be published. A truly remarkable video for a remarkable day.

Two Tunnels part 1

In 1966, services on the Somerset and Dorset Railway ceased, and over the next short period the line was lifted, cuttings back filled and tunnels sealed.

The Somerset and Dorset line will never come back, and it was always going to be top of Dr. Beeching's list of lines to close.

Known as the 'slow and dirty', it is easy to understand why.

Although most of the line was double, the section between Bath Green Park and Midford was single. This created a severe bottle neck with no passing places. Although it was planned to double this section in reality it was never going to happen simply because of tunnel constraints.

Furthermore, on departure from Bath Green Park, the line entered a severe gradient and left curvature. This continued through two tunnels and slippage was a common factor in traction.

However, these two tunnels, The Devonshire, and Coombe Down Tunnel are scheduled to be reopened after many years. They are to be part of a cycle route and funds have been made to uncover the portals, clean off the years of soot, tarmac the surface and provide suitable lighting.

The Devonshire Tunnel, 447 yards long in its service days. This is the South portal. The tunnel bore was restrictive with less that 1ft to spare between funnel and tunnel roof at times.

The South Portal now uncovered. The wall will be removed in order to gain proper service access to tarmac the surface and install lighting.

The Coombe Down Tunnel, leading on to Tucking Mill and Midford was 1 mile and 69 yards long and unventilated!

Photographs to follow.

The Royal Albert Bridge

The Royal Albert Bridge, built over the Taymar in 1859 by Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
A4 Pacific locomotive crosses the bridge at the statutory 15mph, this is the first time an A4 has crossed the bridge!

Lineside Fires

Oh dear, oh dear!

Early September locomotive daytime movement from York. 70013 Oliver Cromwell and 30777 Sir Lamiel just passing Doncaster, then disaster!

Ash pan problems in one or both locomotives created severe line side fires that effectively closed the entire length on the East Coast Main Line form Kings Cross to York for several hours.

Somebody got to pay for this.

OUCH!

British Pathe

The Titfield Thunderbolt.

What a movie, shot on the disused Camerton Line, south of Bath in the early 1950's.

It is a lovely piece of English countryside.

Go and visit some of the location at Freshfield, Monkton Coombe, Midford and Limpley Stoke.

Enjoy

TITFIELD THUNDERBOLT

Torbay

Sunday 7th August. 6024 King Edward 1st en route to Kingswear from Bristol, passing through Galmpton, nr Brixham in Devon. Our caravan was just a few minutes walk away from this preserved I.K. Brunel line. She had 11 hanging from the tender.

Steam Excursions

A4 Pacific locomotive 60019 'Bittern' 4-6-2 built in December 1937 on a steam excursion from York to Stratford on Avon on Thursday 12th May.

The run is approaching Henley in Arden in leafy Warwickshire just after 2pm.

In the winter of 2010/2011 the locomotive was repainted in LNER Garter Blue and renamed 'Dominion of New Zealand' 4492.

This loco was sadly scrapped.

I was the lone photographer at this location and the driver acknowledged my presence with a blast on the typical Pacific A4 harmonic whistle. Wonderful, just wonderful.

Spring Day Out Part 2

The second part of our weekend on Sunday afternoon after visiting the Stonehurst Farm Museum was to give the Great Central Railway a 'look in'.

According to their web pages, no steam was scheduled to be run that day, but.................... look no further!

This photo was taken from the road side across Swithland water towards the viaduct.

D1705 (Sparrowhawk) A Brush built locomotive in Loughborough, 1965. Some 500 plus of this type of locomotive were built for British Railways.

3850 A Swindon built class 2884 locomotive. 16th June 1942 this 2-8-0 locomotive was in service in the Bristol area.

2807 Another Swindon built locomotive. Class 2800 2-8-0 built in 1905

East Lancs. Railway

On the weekend of 26th and 27th February, Matt Bisp accompanied me on a visit to the East Lancashire Railway.

Based at Bury's Bolton Street Station the line runs from Heywood through to Rawtenstall and there are plans to further extend the line.

We had an excellent weekend and here is a presentation of some of my photos taken.

Every service had two locomotives operating, either as double headed or 'top and tail'

Here we see 80080, a BR Standard Class 4 2-6-4 loco heading Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0, 46443 service approaching Bury from Heywood.

46443 and 73129 a BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 (1956) depart tender first, double for Heywood.

Here we see 73129 a BR Standard Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive circa 1956 waiting to steam out for Heywood

46443, Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 from the late 1940's approaching to couple up for the Rawtenstall service from Bolton Street.

46443 coupled with 71239 double head, departs Ramsbottom

73129 waiting at Ramsbottom, plus also note the brazier directly underneath the water tower and the soot/burn stain on the post. This should prevent the contents on the tower freezing over!

The 'Duke of Gloucester, BR Class 8 Pacific 4-6-2 departs for Heywood

73129 at Summerseat

46443 at Summerseat

Vintage Movies

Should you ever be in the area south of Bath, around Monkton Coombe, you will find most of the location for the Titfield Thunderbolt. It is truly a magnificent part of England.

The Hill at the village of Freshford is exactly as you see it in the film.

The opening scene is taken at Midford where the now disused Somerset and Dorset line crosses the old GWR Camerford line on which the film was located. This line closed in 1953.

I have walked the entire locations and it is a wonderful experience to find deep in the undergrowth, traces of old railway.

East Lancs. Railway

On the weekend of 26th and 27th February, I shall be visiting the East Lancs. Railway and at the same time visiting the Bury Transport Museum's Transport Collectors Fair.
Accommodation has been arranged and I am sure a good time will be had by all!

Great Central Railway

Wednesday 29th December 2010, was the annual Christmas visit to the Great Central Railway.

A cold, grey, damp day with dense fog in some places concerned me because of the standard of photography would be difficult, however here are some shots that I do like.

The service was quieter this time with only a limited number of visitors.

The Pullman stock was being used for diners, but the ordinary traffic was provided by LMS Stanier 8F 48305 and the small Prairie 5526 with the 'Autotrain'

Here the LMS Stanier 2-8-0, built in 1943, 48305 approaches Rothley before departing for Loughborough.

This is the 'Autotrain'. One single carriage stock with controls at the front, and the small Prairie at the rear. This sort of service was for branch line traffic.

The small prairie tank locomotive, 2-6-2T, 5526, built in 1928 takes on water at Loughborough.

Finally, waiting at Loughborough for the last afternoon service to Leicester North and return. The Christmas lights provide some cheer under the canopy.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Sorry, there will be no services today. My favorite station on my favorite railway in the winter. Levisham, an Edwardian station in a lovely but lonely location. The village incidentally is about 2 or 3 miles away at the top of a very steep road.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

I thought it would be nice just to reflect back on my recent trip up to North Yorkshire. This is a place I love, and would live there given the chance. Not only the railway, but the overall beauty of the wild and stunning countryside and moorland has to be appreciated.

Levisham station is an Edwardian structure. It nestles at the bottom of the valley in Forestry Commission land and this alone is a stunning feature. Only recently have the station lamps been converted to electricity.

LMS 'Black 5' 4-6-0 45212 approaching Levisham tender first from Grosmont.

45212, built in 1935 by Armstrong Whitworth. A mixed traffic locomotive widely known as one of the 'Black 5's'

Sir Nigel Gresley at Moorgates, having departed for Pickering.

A little novelty we found at Goathland station, a 'Fergie' on a flat bed carriage.

Sir Nigel Gresley departs Grosmont for Pickering.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Although filmed in 2009, I can imagine the scene would be very similar now.
Oh how I would love to be up there now.
I just wonder what the road to Levisham is like, its not the best even in good weather, it would be a good test of driver skills to negotiate that road.

Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway (GWR)

Last Wednesday 2nd June I made my annual visit to the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway May Steam Gala. I was accompanied by Chris Beale and his Grandad. It was a fine and hot day with plenty of visitors.

This year they celebrate 175 years of the Great Western Railway, in which this line was once part of before Beeching. Normally this line runs from Toddington to Cheltenham Racecourse, but due to a land slip, the journey terminates at Gotherington.

Just north of Toddington the line is slowly being replaced and is getting closer to Broadway. The viaduct at Stanway is open and a limited service is running up and over this newly opened section. The Chairman and Chief Executive of the GWR had plans not only to proceed to Broad way, but expand beyond and reach Honeybourne. I understand the land and track bed has been purchased.

These first two photographs are of this road roller outside Winchcombe station. All you movie buffs may recognise this roller with its original registration number CH 3282.

The Titfield Thunderbolt was the 1950's movie which featured Sid James driving this roller in many scenes. The canopy was missing in the movie and one can only assume this was for movie purposes as the engine was originally supplied complete with canopy. Now owned by Nigel Keene from Wiltshire,

These next two shots are of Gotherington Station, privately owned but opened for the first time by courtesy of its owner for this steam gala. Looking south from here you can see the land slip.

These next shots are in and around the yard at Toddington, not normally accessible to the public.

And finally, a returning train to approaching Toddington from Winchcombe.