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This line (known locally as The Bromyard Branch) left the Worcester to Hereford railway shortly before it reached Bransford Road station.
The line opened as far as Yearsett on 2nd May 1874 and all the way to Bromyard on 22nd October 1877 and closed on 5th September 1964. The following day the late Bill Morris sponsored a special train from Bromyard to Blackpool. This was steam worked throughout and the Bromyard to Worcester section was handled by Collett 0-6-0 tender engines Nos. 2222 and 2232.
From the junction to Bromyard the line was single track. There were intermediate stations in Worcestershire at Leigh Court, Knightwick and Suckley.
This extract from the Western Region timetable for the period from 15th June 1964 shows the rather sparse level of service that existed in the final time that Bromyard appeared in the timetable as a railway destination (click here for text version). The first train of the day (07:40 from Bromyard) was an unbalanced working travelling as empty stock from Worcester. This was a well loaded train usually consisting of three carriages with an 0-6-0 pannier tank locomotive in charge. A similar combination worked the 17:45 from Worcester and 18:50 return train. The 16:10 from Worcester and 18:50 return was usually a class 122 single car diesel train.
The 1957-8 winter timetable can be found here
(Photograph from the MIAC Collection; Photographer unknown)
At the moment this photograph of W32W at Bromyard on 3/11/1959 is the only one we have to illustrate this line but we would highly recommend the following publication for anyone who wants more information:
"The Bromyard Branch" by William H.Smith, ISBN 0 953477 50.
This book is available from all good booksellers or from the publishers, The Kidderminster Railway Museum (Severn Valley Railway).
Click here to go to a model railway site about the Bromyard Branch (external site link).