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BIBLIOGRAPHY
New Review: Central Birmingham
New Review: Severn Valley Railway News
New Review: The Worcester & Birmingham Canal
New Review: Industrial Railways and Locomotives of Worcestershire
New: Click on the titles and then on the images for further details about the book listed
This section lists all of the major publications that have been consulted in the preparation of this web site followed by other publications, web sites, individuals and organisations. Where conflicting information has been found an attempt has been made to resolve the differences. Where this has not been possible dubious or alternate information is indicated as such in the text.
MAJOR PUBLICATIONS
Birmingham to Bristol Portrait of a Famous Midland Route (Part One)
(Stephen Mourton & Bob Pixton, Runpast Publications, 2001, ISBN 1 870754 53 0)
This book is a detailed look at the Birmingham to Bristol railway line (part one covers the Birmingham to Cheltenham section). It is A4 size with 96 pages of photographs with very interesting and informative text . Quality of reproduction of the photographs is excellent with many of the photographs being previously unpublished. Absolutely superb and unbeatable value.
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Central Birmingham Andrew Doherty Silver Link Publishing Ltd 2007 ISBN 978 1 85794 298 9 |
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Industrial Railways and Locomotives of Worcestershire Andrew C. Smith 2005 ISBN 1 901556 32 8 |
This book lists all the industrial sites and locomotives known to have been used in the County together with full details about all of the contractors who built the main line railways. There is also a section on numerous non-locomotive and hand worked lines as well as covering the present preserved railways in the county (n.b the book covers the current county not the one that existed in 1900).Past and Present 33 - Worcestershire
(Roger Siviter, Past & Present Publishing Ltd, 1999, ISBN 1 85895 161 5)
By the same author as the book listed above, this book follows the same format as 'The Severn Valley Railway' with 'before' and 'after' views of many locations. Some of the pages are in landscape format that I find a little cumbersome but the wealth of information accompanying the photographs makes this a must for any serious student of Worcestershire. Highly recommended.
Past & Present 5 - The West Midlands
(John Whitehouse & Geoff Dowling, 1994, ISBN 1 858950 75 9)
Although a good part of this book is outside of Worcestershire it is nevertheless a very worthwhile addition to information about the county in the way that it portrays before and after photographs at the same location. A good read with plenty of interesting photograph captions. The latest edition of this book has eight pages of colour photographs.
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Worcester Locomotive Society
'The Big Four' magazine
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Most of the issues of this journal contain some information about the locomotives and railways of Worcestershire.
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Rails through the Hills John Boynton Mid England Books 1995 ISBN 0 952228 2 8 |
Steam in Action: Castles
(Lawrence Walters, Ian Allan, 1991, ISBN 0 7110 2006 X)
The author has drawn on the material held by the Great Western Trust at Didcot for this fascinating insight into the GWR’s express locomotives. There are many photographs of the Worcester to Paddington express trains in the final years of steam coverage including some in colour. There are also extensive and useful lists in seven appendices.
This issue in John’s continuing series of books covers the Birmingham to Worcester and Hereford lines.
Steam on the Great Western: Severn & Cotswolds
(Rex Kennedy, Ian Allan, 1993, ISBN 0 7110 2064 7)
Like myself, Rex was educated at Worcester Royal Grammar School and he was very active throughout the last twenty years of steam at Worcester. The book contains a wealth of notes and photographs covering an area from Shrewsbury, through Worcester to Oxford. This book is a must for anyone interested in the railways of Worcestershire and the Great Western Railway.
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The Birmingham Gloucester Line Colin Maggs Line One Publishing Limited 1986 ISBN 0 907036 10 4 |
This book provides a history of the line, many historic photographs and good track plans.
The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway
(P.J.Long and Reverend W.V.Awdry, Alan Sutton Publishing, 1987, ISBN 0 862993 29 6).
This seems to be the definitive guide to this railway line and includes a wealth of detail, photographs and statistical information. Recommended.
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The Bromyard Railway William H.Smith 1998 ISBN 0 953477 50 9 |
Middleton Press
These books are part of the authors' mammoth project for 'Evolving the Ultimate Rail Encyclopedia'.
The Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway
(S.C.Jenkins & H.I.Quayle, The Oakwood Press, 1977)
This book provided essential background reading about the early years of the railways at Worcester. However the next book is better if you are seeking more modern information.
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The Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway John Boynton Mid England Books 2002 ISBN 0 9540839 0 3 |
The book is well printed and highly recommended.
Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton - Portrait of a Famous Route
(Bob Pixton, Runpast Publications, 2003 & 2004, Part One (Oxford to Worcester) ISBN 1 870754 59X; Part Two (Worcester to Wolverhampton) ISBN 1 870754 60 3)
This work, which is published in two volumes, is primarily a picture album with extended captions. All the photographs are in black and white and many have not previously been published but there is a smattering of familiar material also. It is the quality of the printing and choice of photos that makes these books an enjoyable experience. There are 96 A4 sized pages in each book.
The first half of Part One covers Oxfordshire before giving an extended selection of photos at Honeybourne. The book then makes its way down the main line to Worcester including a rather nice photo of a GWR bus at Pershore. Highlight of a selection of photos at Worcester is 'Hall' class No.7928 'Wolf Hall' passing the Metal Box sidings at Perry Wood.
Part Two has a further selection of photos at Worcester before making its way to Droitwich (represented by an ex LMSR 2-6-0 No.42822 in 1949);to Stourbridge (where there is a fine photo of GWR 4-4-0 No.9073 taken in 1947); Dudley and Wolverhampton.
Some of the captions are way off the mark such as the suggestion in the text to Adrian Booth's photo (as shown on this site) of No.7025 'Sudeley Castle' at Worcester Engine Sheds that 'the large (engine) shed has been demolished (by 1964)''. This same error occurs again in Part Two in the caption to one of C.H.A.Townley's photos taken on 17th July 1953 of a loco emerging from Underwood's Coal Siding where it states that the same goods engine shed was demolished in the 1950s (a picture taken c1964 of both sheds still in use appears four pages later!)
These historical quibbles apart this book was an most enjoyable read.
The Railway at Kidderminster in the 1940s
(A.J.Turley, published by the author, 2005, ISBN 0-9537869-2-7)
Within the 141 pages of A4 in the book can be found the most amazing wealth of information about Kidderminster's railways in the 1940s. The author lived near to the railway and seems to have spent every waking hour recording the scene with pen and paper and in photographs. There are numerous lists of locos seen and details about such rarely recorded events as the Hospital Trains during World War 2. The photographic selection is truly amazing and that alone would recommend this book. A must to anyone interested in the GWR
The Railways of Dudley
(Ned Williams, Uralia Press, 1994, ISBN 1 898528 02 0)
The author can be relied upon to undertake comprehensive research about his subject and this book does not disappoint with its 80 pages of A4 being packed with interesting information. The section about the Earl of Dudley's Railways is particularly impressive.
Railways of the Black Country - Volume One The Byways
(Ned Williams, Uralia Press, 1984, ISBN 0 9500533 8 4)
This book is by same author as the one above and follows a similar pattern. There is a very good section about the lines around Halesowen.
The Severn Valley Railway
(Roger Siviter, The Nostalgia Collection, 1998, ISBN 1 85895 145 3)
This is another book that it is well worth getting hold of, even though some of the book covers areas outside of the county. The author provides good coverage by extending his remit to include stations from Kidderminster to Worcester. The bulk of the book comprises of 'before' and 'after' photos of locations on the Severn Valley Railway and the branch to Tenbury Wells.
This book are packed with photographs and information.
The Severn Valley Railway
(John Marshall, David & Charles, 1989, ISBN 0946537 45 3)
This book is a detailed record of the history of the Sever Valley Railway from its origins beyond closure by BR and into the era of the new preservation company. The author draws on many sources of information and there is also a nice selection of black and white photographs. This book is recommended.
The Tenbury & Bewdley Railway
(Keith Beddoes & William H.Smith, Wild Swan Publications, 1995, ISBN 1 874103 27 5)
This excellent book contains over 200 pages packed full of information and photographs about the history of this railway. The quality of the printing of the photographs is superb and this alone justifies the price of this book. Essential reading. Highly commended.
The Railways of Stourbridge
(Clive Butcher, The Oakwood Press, 1998, ISBN 0 85361 533 0)
This is a work of monumental proportions weighing in at 256 pages with just about everything you need to know about the railways at Stourbridge. Highly enjoyable.
The West Midland Lines of the GWR
(Keith M.Beck, Ian Allan, 1983, ISBN 0 7110 1211 3)
This book is now out of print but it is well worth trying to get hold of as it contains over 100 pages of photographs and text. It covers in detail the major lines in Worcestershire that later became part of the Great Western Railway.The Railways of Cadbury and Bourneville
(Derek Sharpe, Bournbrook Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 954212 90 8)
The 100 page A4 size book contains detailed information about not just the Cadbury factory but also the Midland Railway engine shed at Bourneville. There is a lot of detailed and interesting information in this book that is well illustrated with a good selection of both black and white and colour photographs.
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Vanishing Points Steam in Worcestershire Michael Dowty, Alan Sutton Publishing 1985 ISBN 0 86299 286 9
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This is a brave effort and worth getting if you see it.Worcestershire Railways
(Mike Hitches, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 1997, ISBN 0 7509 1367 3)
This is an excellent book with many details of the history of railways in Worcestershire as they existed in 1900. There is a series of good photographs of many of the long closed stations and the accompanying narrative is both clear and informative. For information the photo at the bottom of page 113 is captioned Bransford Road in error for Newland Halt. There is a similar book by the same author on Warwickshire Railways. Recommended.
Coal Mining Around Halesowen
(N.A.Chapman, Heartland Press, 1999, ISBN 0 9517755.9.6)
This book contains 117 A5 size pages with many photographs and maps of the coal mines in and around Halesowen. The author has provided much of historic interest as well as describing what can be seen today. The book has been well researched and is a must for those interested in mining.
(S.L. Swingle & K. Turner, The Oakwood Press, Locomotion Papers No.73, 1987, ISBN 0 85361 333 8)
The Kinver Light Railways qualifies for an entry on this site by virtue of its southerly terminus being at Amblecote, Stourbridge. When time permits we will write a proper page on the Railway but until then you can do no better than obtain this definitive little volume with 52 pages of facts and figures and some really nice black & white photographs.
GWR Stations, Layouts and Illustrations, Volume Four
C.R. Potts, Oxford Publishing Co, 1985, ISBN 0 86093 1919)
For those seeking to model layouts of any of the key stations in Worcestershire during GWR/BR days this is the definitive volume of this extensive but somewhat haphazard review of stations. Rather than provide layouts by area the author has chosen places seeming at random thus this volume include not only Worcester but also places as far afield as Yeovil, Corwen and Taplow. This criticism apart this volume in the series covers Droitwich, Great Malvern, Malvern Wells, (but not Malvern Link!), Hartlebury, Henwick, Honeybourne, Stourbridge and Worcester. As well as full descriptions of the locations there are ample black & white photographs and line drawings showing layouts of trackwork and buildings. A fascinating work that is obviously the product of much exhaustive research.
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Rail Centres: No.9 - Oxford Laurence Waters Ian Allan/Booklaw Publications 1986 ISBN 1-901945-19-7 |
Whishaw's Railways of Great Britain & Ireland
This book was first printed in 1842 but was reprinted by David & Charles in 1969. It is nevertheless long since out of print and difficult to obtain. Francis Whishaw who wrote the original was a Civil Engineer and this book details many early railways from his viewpoint. He devotes nearly 14 pages to the Birmingham & Gloucester Railway and also include a line drawing of a locomotive. Very information information but the book is perhaps best referred to in a library archive.
The Worcester & Birmingham Canal
(Revd. Alan White, Brewin Books, 2005, ISBN 1 85858 261 X £19.99)
Although the history of canals is outside the scope of this web site this is a fascinating reference work that will be of interest to many of our readers. Packed with maps and good quality photographs the author has produced the definitive work on this subject. There is a chapter devoted to the history of tramways that had links with the canal and some other historical information of interest to railway enthusiasts. The book is excellent value and highly recommended.
Magazine Articles
You might also look out for the following magazines that contain very interesting articles and photographs:
British Railway Illustrated (Volume 7 No.2, November 1997)
An extensive article by Ian Sixsmith entitled '72 hours at Worcester (from 8/7/58)', This article is full of fascinating maps, photographs and technical notes.
British Railway Illustrated (Volume 13 No.10, July 2004)
An article titled 'Urchin Tales' by Adrian Booth about a rail tour to Worcester in 1964. Another version of the same story is on this page: ajb.htm
Over the many years that The Railway Magazine has been published the railways of Worcestershire have not featured very often but when they have it has usually been with very interesting and informative articles. In particular the following issues are to be commended:
August
1935 - a letter from H. Pearce Higgins about the Bromsgrove boiler
explosion of 1840. See
this page for details.
December
1953 - six page article on the Worcester, Bromyard & Leominster
Railway by C.R. Clinker with a history of this line from 1853 to
1953. Includes photos at Bromyard Station, Suckley, Rowden Mill
Station (closed by then) and of No.4573 at Knightwick on 22nd August 1953.
April
1959 - three page article on the Vinegar Works Branch Railway by
Anthony A.Vickers. This is a well known and researched article much
quoted from by other sources. Illustrated with photos from the
author's own collection including one showing the lifting bascule
type bridge.
July
and August 1959 - These two issues feature J.E. Norris's definitive
article on The Worcester & Hereford Railway. Well illustrated
with photographs from various sources. There are good pictures of
No.4153 crossing the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and of No.2938
'Corsham Court' at Malvern Link.
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Severn Valley Railway News Severn Valley Railway Company Periodic Magazine |
Steam World No.101 (November 1995)
A full colour article entitled 'Return to Worcester' by Clem Huzzey with many photographs.
Steam World (June 1990)
A four-page article entitled '85A – home of Vinegar Castle' by John Tandy with seven black and white photographs by leading photographers such as R.C.Riley.
Modern Railways
September 1973 - 'A Question of Grant Aid' (Worcester to Hereford) by John Boynton.
November 1977 - 'Reflections At Worcester' by John Boynton.
December 1989 - 'New Life in the West Midlands' by John Boynton.
May 1993 - 'Regional Railways Central' by James Abbott.
March 1996 - 'West Midlands Growth' by Mark Causebrook.
Steam Days (October 2001)
A large article by David Postle entitled 'Ashchurch to Malvern'.
Railway Bylines Annual No.5
(ISBN 1 903266 24-6)
This publication covers many different railway systems across the U.K. but Annual No.5 features a definitive article titled 'Branch Lines of Halesowen' by Oswald J.Barker. The author devotes over 20 pages to recording the history of this railway and lavishly illustrates the article with many maps, diagrams and photographs collected for a variety of sources. This is a must for anyone interested in the Halesowen Railway.
Great Western Journal No.54 - Spring 2005
(Wild Swan Publications Ltd)
This issue of the Journal contains a detailed article covering fifteen pages about the 'Vinegar Works' branch line in Worcester. One or two errors have crept into what us otherwise an accurate and excellent description of the history of the line eg the map on page 314 suggests that the Vulcan (Iron) Works was situated on the site of the Omnibus Depot whereas the original buildings were immediately to the south on the depot on the other side of Cromwell Street also the suggestion that he branch line crossed Pheasant Street twice is in error: the correct sequence of roads crossed being Shrub Hill Road, Padmore Street and Pheasant Street. The article contains an excellent aerial photograph of the Worcester Engine Works taken in 1934 but alas provides no light on the location of Heenan & Froude's engine shed.
Andrew Smith
