In 1835 the plan for the Birmingham and Derby junction railway included a branch line at Nether Whitacre to join the London and Birmingham railway near Hampton. Later the Whitacre to Hampton-in-Arden branch line was treated as a separate concern known as the Stonebridge Railway. This was one of three lines around Whitacre Junction
When the BD&JR built its alternative route in Lawley Street in 1842, the line: known as the Stonebridge Railway, lost its importance and passenger services ceased in January 1917. Only freight services continued to use the line until April 1930 and a skeleton service from Whitacre End to Maxstoke was maintained until 30th April 1939. "Special usage" (read: "military") of this line was undertaken during WW2, but the line was entirely closed after the end of the war.
The track was removed soon afterwards and the station at Maxstoke was demolished. The tracks were lifted between July and October 1952 but three quarters of a mile was left at each end for continued use as a main line siding. Four of the iron bridges across the Blythe were removed. The railway had crossed the river Blythe at 5 points between Whitacre and Hampton. The fifth bridge is still in place and forms part of the entrance road to a local farm estate. The Coleshill sidings bridge - perhaps one of the unknown survivors? (last pictures in the post) shows exactly the same ironwork construction.
There is a stone turreted gatehouse between Whitacre and Maxstoke at the ghost of a level crossing that still leads to a disused entrance to Maxstoke Castle. This was converted and is now a private residential house directly opposite William Dugdales' old gaff: Blythe Hall. (Dugdale purchased the Estate of Blythe End in the early 1620's and Blythe Hall hall was built shortly after purchase in 1625).
This first photograph shows what can be seen of the cutting and the rail line as you approach the site. Unless you know it is there: the only time you will spot it is when you end up rolling down the embankment.
The Blythe otters are keen on the American crayfish that have invaded
...and the other side of the railway? The Whitacre Water Treatment Works - a Victorian take on Venetian-Gothic architecture.
The obligatory hats-off to Mr. Google for letting me scrawl over his snapshots.
When the BD&JR built its alternative route in Lawley Street in 1842, the line: known as the Stonebridge Railway, lost its importance and passenger services ceased in January 1917. Only freight services continued to use the line until April 1930 and a skeleton service from Whitacre End to Maxstoke was maintained until 30th April 1939. "Special usage" (read: "military") of this line was undertaken during WW2, but the line was entirely closed after the end of the war.
The track was removed soon afterwards and the station at Maxstoke was demolished. The tracks were lifted between July and October 1952 but three quarters of a mile was left at each end for continued use as a main line siding. Four of the iron bridges across the Blythe were removed. The railway had crossed the river Blythe at 5 points between Whitacre and Hampton. The fifth bridge is still in place and forms part of the entrance road to a local farm estate. The Coleshill sidings bridge - perhaps one of the unknown survivors? (last pictures in the post) shows exactly the same ironwork construction.
There is a stone turreted gatehouse between Whitacre and Maxstoke at the ghost of a level crossing that still leads to a disused entrance to Maxstoke Castle. This was converted and is now a private residential house directly opposite William Dugdales' old gaff: Blythe Hall. (Dugdale purchased the Estate of Blythe End in the early 1620's and Blythe Hall hall was built shortly after purchase in 1625).
This first photograph shows what can be seen of the cutting and the rail line as you approach the site. Unless you know it is there: the only time you will spot it is when you end up rolling down the embankment.
The Blythe otters are keen on the American crayfish that have invaded
...and the other side of the railway? The Whitacre Water Treatment Works - a Victorian take on Venetian-Gothic architecture.
The obligatory hats-off to Mr. Google for letting me scrawl over his snapshots.
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