43. A day around Lichfield-25.07.14

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2014 > 43. A day around Lichfield-25.07.14

With a good day of weather forecast, I decided to head to the Litchfield area as there were some places near to the city that I wanted to visit. Rather than drive I decided to take the train from Northampton and took my bike. It turned out, for the large part, to be a hot and sunny day as forecast and I managed to cover what I had intended.

Click here to search The Archive Files

Images 1-39 of 39 displayed.

350106, LM 08.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1W06), Northampton station
350106 waits at Northampton's platform one with the 08.33 Birmingham New Street to Euston London Midland service. Whilst the new station building dominates the background the old canopy very narrow platform remains as constructed during the 1965/66 re-build.
Keywords: 350106 08.33 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1W06 Northampton station London Midland Desiro

350116, LM 08.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street (1W05), Northampton station
The first train of my two-part journey to Lichfield waits at Northampton station having arrived from London. I took 350116 working the 08.49 Euston to Birmingham New Street as far as Rugby, a distance of nineteen miles.
Keywords: 350116 08.49 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1W05 Northampton station London Midland Desiro

My bike on-board 350116, Northampton station
My bike on-board 350116 as we wait to depart from Northampton station to Rugby. Unless one has a folding bike, the carrying of bikes on modern trains is always seen as a bit of an issue with no proper provision made for them and strict limits on the numbers permitted. If the railways are to be a part of the new 'green deal' of fully intergrated public transportation then this really must change but do any TOCs have the drive to do this?
Keywords: My bike on-board 350116 Northampton station

57309, stabled Thunderbird, Rugby station
57309 'Pride of Crewe' stands in one of Rugby's south-facing bay platforms ready to go if control receives the call from a stranded Virgin Train's driver. Thankfully, this does not happen very often with their fleet of Voyagers and Pendolinos being very reliable.
Keywords: 57309 stabled Thunderbird Rugby station Pride of Crewe DRS Direct Rail services

Class 221, 09.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1B28), Rugby station
The 09.50 Birmingham to Euston Virgin service gets away from its stop at Rugby being worked by an unidentified Class 221 Voyager. The train is leaving from the recently completed island platform (platforms five and six) to the north side of the station.
Keywords: Class 221 09.50 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1B28 Rugby station Virgin Voyager

350237, LM 09.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston, Rugby station
With the milepost to the extreme right indicating eighty-two and a half miles (from London) 350237 leaves Rugby station working the London Midland 09.54 Birmingham to Euston service. At this time in the morning, photography at Rugby station is a tricky proposition on sunny days due to its orientation as illustrated in this particular image.
Keywords: 350237 09.54 Birmingham New Street-London Euston Rugby station

390123, VT 09.34 London Euston-Glasgow Central (9S55), Rugby station
Virgin's 390123 takes the centre road through Rugby at full line speed working the 09.34 Euston to Glasgow Central 9S55 service. I have broken all the photographic rules here but I like taking such risks!
Keywords: 390123 09.34 London Euston-Glasgow Central 9S55 Rugby station Virgin Pendolino

350238, LM 10.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street (cancelled from Euston) (1Y15), Rugby station
Something had gone wrong earlier in the morning as this service should have originated from Euston. 350238 arrives at Rugby as the re-timetabled 10.16 Northampton to Birmingham London Midland train.
Keywords: 350238 10.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street cancelled from Euston 1Y15 Rugby station

350104, LM 09.46 London Euston-Crewe (1U29), Rugby station
With my bike leaning against the bench in the foreground the second train of my journey to Lichfield arrives at Rugby station. We (my bike and I!) travelled aboard 350104 working the 09.46 Euston to Crewe service.
Keywords: 350104 09.46 London Euston-Crewe 1U29 Rugby station London Midland Desiro

Fosseway Crossing signal box (LNW, 1875) SK100079
One of the main purposes of my trip to the Lichfield area was to get a photograph or two of Fosseway signal box. The box is located on the former North Staffordshire line that once linked Lichfield with Birmingham, a line that appears to be gathering momentum aimed towards its reinstatement. The LNWR Type 3 signal box was constructed in 1875. I do not want to enter into the debate as to the correct spelling of the box's name so I am going with the local farm's spelling of Fosseway with the middle 'e'.
Keywords: Fosseway Crossing signal box LNW 1875 SK100079 London North Western Railway

Trackbed looking NE from Fosseway crossing SK100079
The view from Fosseway level crossing looking northeast towards Lichfield. Whilst the remaining track can be seen as the buddleia takes over the ballast where the former other track once lay is relatively clear. Notice the fixed distant caution signal board in the background. The last train that was reported to have run over this line was in the spring of 2003 (eleven years ago) was an MPV involved in weed control and track treatment unit went down the line as part of its routine maintenance cycle. Further to that, the line was mothballed and nature has been steadily reclaiming the route since.
Keywords: Trackbed looking NE from Fossway crossing SK100079

Trackbed and signal box looking SW towards Fosseway crossing SK100079
Looking approximately south-west from the trackbed of the former South Staffordshire Railway Company route between Lichfield and Walsall at Fosseway level crossing. Whilst passenger traffic ceased back in 1965 through freight continued to run for some years up until March 1983. The stub from Lichfield to the Charringtons oil storage facility at Brownhills was retained and saw two or three workings per week up until the closure oil the depot in 2003. With no further use for the line, it was closed in the spring of 2003. The rather nice 1875 LNWR signal box at Fosseway level crossing has survived and even showed some signs of basic maintenance at the time of my visit.
Keywords: Trackbed and signal box looking SW towards Fossway crossing SK100079 LNWR

Fosseway Signal Box (LNWR, 1875) SK100079
The warning lights and the sounder have not seen any action for some eleven years now with the line that crosses Fosseway level crossing not having seen any trains since the last, a weedkilling MPV, traversed the route in the sporing of 2003. There were concerns about the condition of the lovely LNWR signal box but there was evidence of some basic maintenance and note that the destructive ivy that had been encroaching and surrounding the structure has been cut back.
Keywords: Fossway Signal Box SK100079

Level crossing & Fosseway signal box SK100079
Fossway or Fosseway? Whilst the signal box was named Fossway by the LNWR back in 1875 when it was opened the nearby farm from where it gets its name is quite clearly named Fosseway. The railways had a habit of artistic licence when it came to subtle alteration or interpretation of existing names. Interestingly, this location in Staffordshire is not close to the famous Roman Road of the same name that itself is written as two words, namely Fosse Way. In this view, looking east the level crossing is seen with the former 1875 LNWR signal box looking a little forlorn in anticipation of its next train but I suspect that this will not happen again! Notice my trusty Raleigh Royale propped up against the fencing.
Keywords: Level crossing Fosseway signal box SK100079

Trackbed looking SW from Fosseway crossing SK100079
Once a double track to mainline standards linking the Midland route at Wichnor Junction with Walsall via Lichfiled this is all that is left! The single track continues on for a few miles through ever-increasing amounts of undergrowth to a point where was last in use in Brownhills. The last train to traverse the route and cross this level crossing at Fosseway was in the spring of 2003. There is ambitious and persuasive plans to reopen the line but I suspect that this one will never happen.
Keywords: Trackbed looking SW from Fosseway crossing SK100079

Trackbed looking NE & Fosseway crossing SK100079
No more trains will ever be likely to cross Fosseway level crossing as seen here and be signalled by the 1875 LNWR box. It is pretty astounding that the box has not succumbed to the vandals and been burnt down!
Keywords: Trackbed looking NE & Fossway crossing SK100079

Trackbed & former station building Hammerwich SK074071
Without the presence of the track, one would not identify the building as a former station. Hammerwich station closed to passengers in January 1965 when the direct line from Wichnor Junction to Walsall had its passenger services withdrawn. Through freight traffic continued until 1984 when the line was truncated at the Charrington's oil depot located at Brownhills. There is a superb period piece of film taken from the cab of a down freight traversing the line with Hammerwich station being passed at 8m 43s, see..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XkUnkrl6oU&t=531s Indeed the broad balck country accented driver is heard to say 'old station, Hammerwich' as they pass the building!
Keywords: Trackbed & former station building Hammerwich SK074071 South Staffordshire Line.

Trackbed looking SW, Hammerwich SK074071
It has been eleven years since a train last passed this spot on the former South Staffordshire Railway linking Walsall (Norton Junction) with the Midland route at Wichnor Junction. It is impressive how quickly nature is reclaiming the trackbed with just some ballast and redundant track in view here. The picture is taken from the former station footbridge at Hammerwich.
Keywords: Trackbed looking SW, Hammerwich SK074071 South Staffordshire line

Information, Hammerwich SK074071
An interesting information plaque and reproduction mini totem at the site of Hammerwich's former station. The fence is the original boundary between the railway property and a footpath.
Keywords: Information Hammerwich SK074071

Former station footbridge, Hammerwich SK074071
The former station footbridge at Hammerwich on the route of the South Staffordshire Railway's Walsall to Lichfield line basks in the summer sunshine. The building seen through the bridge is the old station that closed in 1965 and is now a private house. Whilst the section of the bridge that led directly to the platforms have been removed the rest of the bridge is still very much in use carrying a footpath across the former trackbed. I must add that the state of the planks that made up the walkway of the bridge was not in the best of condition. It begs the question as to who has responsibility for the maintenance of the structure many years after the railway fell into disuse.
Keywords: Former station footbridge Hammerwich SK074071 South Staffordshire Railway

Former station footbridge & station entrance, Hammerwich SK074071
The former station footbridge at Hammerwich is seen in the summer sunshine. The entrance to the station (closed 18.01.65) is marked by the concrete gatepost to the right of the image. My bike leans against the fence at the base of the steps of the bridge that were not in the best of condition despite it still being in use as a footpath crossing over the closed South Staffordshire Railway trackbed.
Keywords: Former station footbridge station entrance Hammerwich SK074071 North Staffordshire LIne

Trackbed looking NE from Wall Lane bridge SK096078
The former North Staffordshire Railway is seen in the cutting from Wall Lane bridge between the villages of Pipehill and Wall is looking a little overgrown and appears to be under the infilling process by uprooted trees! Just visible in front of the buildings of Lichfield is the closed and boarded up Fosseway signal box. This bridge and cutting is seen in the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XkUnkrl6oU&t=531s at 11m 28s.
Keywords: Trackbed looking NE from Wall Lane bridge SK096078 North Staffordshire Railway

Lichfield TV Junction signal box (LNWR, 1897)
The impressive former L&NWR signal box basks in the hot summer sunshine just near to Lichfield station. The box was built in 1897 on the line between Wichnor Junction and Birmingham via Sutton Coldfield. Passenger services now terminate a short distance to my right at the Lichfield high-Level station that straddles the WCML below it. The line beyond the station past where I am standing is freight only but sees fairly light traffic. There is also a short, steep and tight spur on to the WCML in the northerly direction.
Keywords: Lichfield TV Junction signal box

Lichfield TV Junction signal box (LNW, 1897)
Whilst the steps are modern replacements and the toilet block is a more modern addition Lichfield Trent Valley signal box looks remarkably original even retaining its ornate finials. The brickwork has been in receipt of some recent pointing and the woodwork has been painted. However, the timber cladding of the toilet block looks as though it needs the maintenance team to return sooner than later!
Keywords: Lichfield TV Junction signal box

Nameboard, Lichfield TV Junction signal box (LNW, 1897)
The nameboard high up on Lichfield Trent Valley signal box is a more modern replacement but not dating from recent times I suspect. Whilst the board itself is timber the letters are plastic resembling the older 1960's style of car number plates and not very professionally placed at that! It's interesting the whoever made the board has used commas instead of the more conventional full stops to separate out the letters of the shortened words.
Keywords: Nameboard Lichfield TV Junction signal box

Alrewas signal box (L&NWR, 1899)
Part form its replacement windows and galvanised steel steps Alrewas signal box looks typically London and North Western Railway in origin. The company built many of these Type 4 boxes with this particular example just a short distance from Wichnor Junction where the line joins the Midland route from Birmingham to Derby. This box and its counterpart at Lichfield Trent Valley control a short section of absolute block of just over five miles. Not many trains traverse this route with them all being freight unless there are diversions or charters eager to get some rare track!
Keywords: Alrewas signal box

Alrewas signal box & level crossing (L&NWR, 1899)
A view looking northeast from Alrewas level crossing with the signal box that controls it to the immediate left. Behind me lies the five miles or so of double track to Lichfield Trent Valley, a section of track only frequented by a few daily freight workings. The double-track becomes just a single just beyond the box with that joining the Midland Birmingham to Derby route just around the curve in the distance at Wichnor Junction. Unlike Lichfield Trent Valley signal box that I saw a little earlier in the afternoon, it looks as though Alrewas box needs a visit from the maintenance team!
Keywords: Alrewas signal box & level crossing

Class 221, VT 12.24 Bangor-London Euston (1A38), Lichfield Nether Stowe footbridge
An unidentified Class 221 Voyager heads south on the northern edge of Lichfieldviewd from Nether Stowe footbridge. The Voyager is working Virgin's 12.24 Bangor to Euston 1A38 service. I appreciate that the photograph is taken the wrong side of the bridge for the sun but there was no ability to get the camera through the wire meshing, also, taking it from this side meant that I could include the mass of common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) on the embankment.
Keywords: Class 221 VT 12.24 Bangor-London Euston 1A38 Lichfield Nether Stowe footbridge Virgin Voyager

390155, VT 13.30 London Euston-Glasgow Central (1S69), Lichfield Nether Stowe footbridge
390155 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' speeds northwards from Lichfield's Nether Stowe footbridge working the 13.30 Euston to Glasgow Central train. This Pendolino was named at Euston station some four months ago as part of a promotional exercise with two of the film's actors, Hugh Jackman and James McAvoy, attending the launch. Notice the chimney of Rugeley power station just in view to the left of the photograph emerging from trees.
Keywords: 390155 13.30 London Euston-Glasgow Central 1S69 Lichfield Nether Stowe footbridge Virgin Pendolino X-Men: Days of Future Past

Class 390, VT 13.40 London Euston-Manchester Picaddilly (1H68), Lichfield Nether Stowe footbridge
An unidentified named Class 390 Pendolino passes Lichfield working the 1H68 13.40 Euston to Manchester Virgin West Coast service. The train is taken from a footbridge that permits very limited access for the photographer hence the poor positioning of the train obscured by the wiring.
Keywords: Class 390 13.40 London Euston-Manchester Picaddilly (1H68), Litchfield Nether Stowe footbridge Virgin Pendolino

66304, 13.42 Mountsorrel-Crewe Basford Hall (6U77), Lichfield Trent Valley Junction (from Lichfield Trent Valley High Level station)
Having taken the short absolute block section of track from Alrewas to here ar Lichfield Trent Valley Junction the 13.42 Mountsorrel to Crewe Basford Hall stone train takes the short spur to the north so that it can join the WCML. DRS' 66304 leads the train as it gingerly takes the sharp curve on to the single track spur. I am standing on the platform end of Trent Valley High Level station in order to take this unusual view including the superb L&NWR 1897 signal box.
Keywords: 66304 13.42 Mountsorrel-Crewe Basford Hall 6U77 Lichfield Trent Valley Junction

390029, VT 13.47 Liverpool Lime Street-London Euston (1A40), Lichfield Trent Valley station
390029 'City of Stoke-on-Trent' sweeps southwards through Lichfield station working the 1A40 13.47 Liverpool to Euston train. Notice the section of single track beyond the platform end. This is the northern end of the small spur that diverges from the freight-only section of line from Wichnor Junction to Lichfield Trent Valley High Level station that straddles the WCML behind me.
Keywords: 390029 13.47 Liverpool Lime Street-London Euston 1A40 Lichfield Trent Valley station Virgin West Coast Pendolino City of Stoke-on-Trent

86628 & 86605, 10.10 Tilbury-Crewe Basford Hall (4M54), Lichfield Trent Valley station
I was not in quite the right spot to capture the 4M54 10.10 Tilbury to Crewe Basford Hall Freightliner service as it passes on the down slow line through Lichfield station. The train is being led by two of Freightlioner's classic Class 86s (86628 & 86605) that are no strangers to this route with them once leading fast electric express services prior to their demotion. It is likely that over the coming few years that these locomotives will be replaced by more modern machines.
Keywords: 86628 86605 10.10 Tilbury-Crewe Basford Hall 4M54 Lichfield Trent Valley station Freightliner

Station monument, Lichfield Trent Valley station
An impressively large but not particularly attractive concrete monolith looking more akin to a tombstone on Lichfield Trent Valley station. Installed in 1987 when the station was extensively remodelled it proclaims that the station is one hundred and sixteen miles from London with another two hundred and eighty-five to go to Glasgow.
Keywords: Station monument Lichfield Trent Valley station

350119, LM 14.02 Crewe-London Euston (1U34), Lichfield Trent Valley station
After a great day in the Lichfield area, my first train home to Northampton arrives at Trent valley station. My bike and I took 350119 working the 14.02 Crewe to Euston as far as Rugby. As can be seen in this photograph in typical British summer fashion the clear blue skies with high temperatures of the morning have now given way to a stormy looking sky.
Keywords: 350119 14.02 Crewe-London Euston 1U34 Lichfield Trent Valley station

86701, stabled, Rugby station
Wearing its bright orange and yellow Colas livery 86701 'Orion' stands in the sidings amongst the rampant buddleia awaiting an uncertain future. A couple of years ago it was repainted and overhauled for use on a proposed night freight service in and out of Euston utilising former Motorail side loading wagons. Whilst some trials took place the project was not pursued. There is discussion that 86701 and a number of other AL6 locomotives could join some other compatriots in Bulgaria.
Keywords: 86701 Rugby station Orion Colas Freight

350130, LM 15.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston (1Y58), Rugby station
My final train home arrives into a now very cloudy and stormy feeling Rugby station. My bike and I took the 15.14 Birmingham New Street to Euston train as far as Northampton.
Keywords: 350130 15.14 Birmingham New Street-London Euston 1Y58 Rugby station London Midland Desiro

Tickets, Northampton-Lichfield Trent Valley-Northampton
My return tickets from Northampton to Lichfield Trent Valley. At £18.90 this was not the cheapest way or ticket type but I needed a degree of flexibility for my return journey.
Keywords: Tickets, Northampton-Lichfield Trent Valley-Northampton

Images 1-39 of 39 displayed.