Railways in Worcestershire

Go to content
Railways in Worcestershire Updates 2016

NEW AND UPDATED PAGES - 2016


Worcester news items for 2016
(updated as new items become available)
Summary of train workings in Worcestershire in 2016
Photographs of special trains in 2016

Photographs of freight trains in 2016
Images of 2016
On Track Plant of 2016

8/1/2016

ADDED: Photograph of class 158 No.158798 at Great Malvern Station.

5/1/2016

ADDED: Photograph of a new colour light signal at Wadborough.

ADDED: Photographs of Nos.60020 and 66001 on a special at Worcester Shrub Hill.

27/11/21015

ADDED: Photograph of No.172335 at Newland East on 27th November 2015.

23/11/2015

ADDED: Photogrpah taken by Steve Widdowson of No.4965 "Rood Ashton Hall"at Evesham.

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.172340 and 43126 at Worcester.

15/11/2015

ADDED: A selection of photographs taken by Ian Cattlin in 1962 at Worcester and Norton including two "RoyalScots"

31/10/2015

ADDED: 53 photograph slide show, courtesy of Steve Widdowson, of the 2015 85A reunion.

ADDED: Photographs at Wadborough (11/10/2015) and Great Malvern (30/10/2015)

1/9/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.158824 in Arriva Trains Wales livery returning to its home at Cardiff Canton after a C6 overhaul at Doncaster.

ADDED: Photograph of No.153305 at Great Malvern on 22nd August 2015.

11/3/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.66758 at Abbotswood on 10th March 2015.

.

10/3/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.70810 at Lower Moor on 10th March 2015. One of the last workings of this service through Evesham instead of via Harbury

.

3/2/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.66056 at Pirton

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.70809 and 66176 at Lower Moor

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.57002 and 57008 at Croome

2/2/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.43146 at Worcester Shrub Hill (in advertising livery).

ADDED: Photographs of No.73138 at Abbotswood Junction and Spetchley on 2nd February 2015.

ADDED: Report and locomotive list for Worcester Locomotive Society's East Midlands Trip on 7th July 1963 (pdf)

22/1/2015

ADDED: Photograph of No.70808 at Croome.

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.20305 and 37609 at Croome.

ADDED: Photograph of DRS class 20 No.20305 and class 37 No.37609 at Croome.

13/1/2015

It is with sadness that we report the death, on 6th December 2014 aged 80, of Michael Mensing the well-known local photographer. His colour photographs epitomised a long forgotton era and graced the pages of many books.

ADDED: Photograph of a convoy of new class 66/7 locomotives at Droitwich on 9th December 2014.

ADDED: Photograph of No.70804 at Wadborough.

10/1/2015

ADDED: Details of a Training Accident held at Worcester on 19th October 2014.

4/1/2015

For the time being this page will list new itmes for 2015 alongside those for 2014 as we still have items awaiting update relating to the latter part of 2014 (ACS).

31/12/2014

Revised timetables came into force from 14th December 2014. There are the usual minor changes to train times on weekdays and Saturdays and a major expansion of London Midland services on Sundays. According to a press relase by The Cotswold Line Promotion Group there are four significant changes on Sundays:

1.   The 09.02 Worcester Shrub Hill to Birmingham New Street is extended to start at Worcester Foregate Street Malvern at 08.54.

2.   There is an extra train from Worcester Shrub Hill to Great Malvern at 09.42 (using a previously empty stock working).

3.   There is also an extra train from Worcester Shrub Hill to Great Malvern at 14.31.

4.   The 15.46 from Worcester Shrub Hill to Kidderminster and Birmingham is extended to start at Great Malvern ar 15.32.

30/12/2014

Apologies for the lack of updates recently. Unfortunately for almost all of my spare time for the last three months I have been dealing with the affairs of a friend which has led to numerous visits to Sheffield. However, on a brighter note we are pleased to announce the acquisition of a large collection of photographs taken by John Rumsey. Nothing is known about John Rumsey except that he appears to have been based in Hereford and went on several tours organised by Hereford Cathedral School Railway Society. The photographs were taken between 1957 and 1962. Steve Bartlett, the renowned author and expert on all things Hereford, has been unable to provide any information about John Rumsey so we would love to hear from anyone who can supply more information as we are unable to ascertain copyright. It is for certain that the MIAC now has part at least of the actual collection made by John.

By way of illustrating the scope of the collection I have added a photograph of No.58261 at Bournville.

The MIAC wishes all who read these pages a very happy New Year.

Andrew Smith

22/11/2014

ADDED: Photograph of a pair of class 172 diesel multiple units at Newland on 22nd November 2014.

25/10/2014

Photographs from the 2014 85A reunion will be posted as soon as available.

8/9/2014

An amzing convoy of class 66/7 locomotives passed through the county on 8th September on their way from Newport Docks to Doncaster.

1/9/2014

There was an eight-week closure of the railway between Barnt Green and Redditch over the summer to allow doubling of part of the track and rebuilding of Alvechurch Station. Replacement bus services will operate during closure will be in place for eight weeks between 6 July 2014 and 31 August 2014 inclusive.THe line opened again on 1st September.

11/8/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 159/0 diesel multiple unit No.159004 at Malvern Wells

10/8/2014

ADDED: Photograph of D1062 'Western Courier' at Kidderminster on 9th August 2014.

8/8/2014

ADDED: Two photographs of class 33 (D65xx) diesel locomotives at Worcester in 1963. With thanks to Richard Moreton for the use of these historic photographs.

7/8/2014

ADDED: Tribute to former Worcester Driver Jack Saunders,

Technical Note: Many thanks to Dave Jones for locating and correcting all of the missing links (404 page errors) on the site. Alas we have not yet been able to get the site search engine working.

4/8/2014

ADDED: New article about the new station at Bromsgrove. More photographs and information are required.

ADDED: New entry to the Bibliography about an article by David Hayes on Worcestershire Freight in the 1980s which appeared in recent issues of TRACTION magazine.

Technical Note: The lengthy process of converting the site to the new software which was started in 2013 is now complete but requires a comprehensive proof check. Note that many of the entries in the Locomotive Indexes point to non existant pages. This will be corrected soon.

ADDED: Two photograps by Robin Goundry showing works at Alvechurch on 3rd July 2014.

ADDED: Article about the theft of one of the nameplates of 'Castle' class 4-6-0 steam locomotive No.7013 'Bristol Castle' in 1963.

30/7/2014

ADDED: Photograph taken by Adrian Booth on Sunday 27th July 2014 of class 172 diesel multiple unit No.177219 at Malvern Link.

ADDED: Photograph of class 66 diesel locomotive No.66051 at Worcester Shrub Hill on 29th July 2014.

23/7/2014

ADDED: Photograph showing the state of progress on the rebuilding of Alvechurch Station.

ADDED: Photograph of class 66 diesel locomotive No.66106 at Abbotswood.

22/6/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 220 'Voyager' No.220016 at Norton.

ADDED: Photographs showing progress on the new platform at Alvechurch.

21/6/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 47 & 57 diesel locomotives Nos.47786 & 57313 on special trains.

ADDED: Photograph of SWT livery three-car class 150/0 diesel multiple unit no 159022.

20/6/2014

ADDED: Article about class 159/0 three-car diesel multiple units in Worcestershire.

ADDED: Dave Gommersall's photograph of class 33 diesel locomotive No.33029 at Worcester.

30/5/2014

ADDED: Steve Smith photographed ex-GWR 2-8-0 steam locomotive No.3845 stored near to the G type hanger. Photograph taken on 30th May 2014.

26/5/2014

AMENDED: The layout of the header panel following comments received that the 'Year by Year' sub-headings ran off the edge of some computer screens. Please advise if anyone finds any other similar annoyances. Thank you. Andrew Smith

REMOVED: Duplicated entries for observations at WorcestersHrub Hill in 2010.

26/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of Quattro road/railer No.940415-1 at Pirton.

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.55002 and 50026 at Abbotswood. Photograph taken by Phil Blann.

24/5/2014

UPDATE: Peter Tandy advises that on May 22nd class 33 diesel locomotive No.33029 and barrier coach were sent from Southall to move the stranded class 43 'HST' power car No.43180 from Worcester to Long Marston. Photos can be found on Peter's site at www.petertandy.co.uk. Also on Peter's site you will find a great many excellent photographs taken in the county.

18/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of on-track plant at Spetchley on 18th May 2014.

17/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of ex-SR 'West Country' class 4-6-2 steam locomotive No.34046 'Braunton' with the 17.49 West Coast Trains service from Worcester Shrub Hill to Bristol Temple Mills. Photograph taken by Andrew Smith.

UPDATED: Entry for Evesham Vale Light Railway with new photographs.

15/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 37 diesel locomotive No.37423 at Abbotswood.

12/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of Nos.DR 77903 & 73115 at Defford.

11/5/2014

TECHNICAL NOTE: The site search engine (which did not work anyway) has been removed due to the sale of the supplier and closure of the software site

UPDATED: The photograph of skates in place on No.43180 prior to its removal from Worcester.

9/5/2014

ADDED: Three photographs taken by Adrian Booth at Worcester and Spetchley on 4th May 2014 and three taken by Andrew Smith on 9th May

8/5/2014

UPDATED: Mike Stone advises class 43 'HST' power car No.43180 has now been fitted with skates. Steve Widdowson notes that as skates only allow for 5mph the transit, probably to the SVR at Kidderminster, (for transfer to road transport) might take place at night. The photograph of No.43180 has been replaced by a better one.

ADDED: Photograph of prototype 'HST' power car No.41001 at Worcester Shrub Hill with Nos.5500, D6700 and 47292. Photograph taken by Pete Wilcox

3/5/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 166 diesel multiple unit No.166217 at Honeybourne.

2/5/2014

ADDED: Unusual photograph of class 43 'HST' power car No.43180 at Worcester Shrub Hill .

16/4/2014

ADDED: Photograph of class 37 diesel locomotives Nos.37425 & 37259 at Abbotswood Junction

.

10/4/2014

Steve Widdowson advises that Network Rail is seeking to demolish the Signal Box at Oddingley.

4/4/2014

The line through Dawlish in Devon re-opened after massive repairs to repair the sea wall which was washed away in February. A grim reminder to travellers in our county that although many trains to Devon again pass through the County not a single one stops.

1/4/2014

Following a visit to the Public Records Office a significant amount of additional information and corrections have been found which will alter the entries for Worcester Engine Works Co Ltd, McKenzie & Holland, West Central Wagon Co Ltd and Dutton and Co. Until this information has been distilled readers of this site seeking information on these victorian companies are asked to treat what they find here with caution (Andrew Smith).

10/2/2014

Whilst it might appear that nothing much has been happening there has been a lot of off-grid discussion as to the last ‘Castle’ class 4-6-0 steam locomotives at Worcester. The issue has not been resolved and the current position as we have it is as follows.

Nos.5091 ‘Cleeve Abbey’ (to Tyseley), 7011 ‘Banbury Castle’ and 7023 ‘Penrice Castle’ (both to Oxley) were transferred early in June 1964, they were used on local trains and summer seasonal holiday trains to the West Country (as far as Bristol) and the South Coast as well as local parcels trains. The transfer of these locomotives left just four operational ‘Castles’ at Worcester.

All four of these ‘Castles’ were on Worcester Shed as seen by Adrian Booth and others who were on a Derbyshire Railway Society railtour to South Wales. The train had arrived at Worcester behind No.60114 and Worcester ‘Castle’ No.5054 ‘Earl of Ducie’ took the train to Cardiff and back. The others on shed that day were No.7022 ‘Hereford Castle’ (possibly in steam), No.7005 ‘Sir Edward Elgar’ (in steam) and No.7025 ‘Sudeley Castle’. No.7025 appears to have seen very little use, if any, in July and August 1964 and was often seen, in steam, on shed at Worcester, presumably as ‘standby’ engine. The locomotive was withdrawn in the first week of September 1964 and dumped on Worcester shed. No.7022 ‘Hereford Castle’ was transferred to Gloucester, shortly after working a Worcester to London express on 14th July.

No.7005 ‘Sir Edward Elgar’ is something of an enigma. It is recorded in ‘Book of the Castles’ by Ian Sixsmith that the locomotive was transferred to Southall in July 1964. The source of this information is not known and no evidence has been found to support this statement. All other written sources seen by MIAC members say it spent its entire working life allocated to Worcester. However these are no reports of it being seen at Worcester in August and all the evidence points to No.7005 as working from Swindon Shed which had to find a 4-6-0 locomotive for a summer timetable ‘out and back’ passenger train to Weston-super-Mare. It was frequently noted on Bristol Barrow Road shed during the day before working the return train back to Swindon. Robert Pritchard noted it carrying an 82C (Swindon) shed plate. The last known time No.7005 was used is 7th September 1964 which it is recorded as working a freight train from Bristol to London, suggesting that at this time it was still operating from Swindon. The locomotive did return to Worcester at the end of the month, but only it seems to be withdrawn as it was noted on the ‘dead line’ minus plates on 6th October.

The other problem being discussed concerns No.5054 ‘Earl of Ducie’. Following the special working to Cardiff on 12th July, it worked another to the Birmingham and Leamington Spa area on 17th. It was next reported in use on 8th September 1964 working from Bristol to Margam, and then on shed at Bristol Barrow Road on 12th. This is about the time it was recorded in official lists as being transferred to Gloucester, but no reports can be found of it ever having worked from there. The next recorded sighting of No.5054 was when it was noted withdrawn on Worcester’s dead-line minus plates on 6th October 1964, from where it was despatched to Swindon works and scrapped.

If anyone can help resolve any of these issues we would be delighted to hear from you (Andrew Smith).


ADDED: Photograph of an item of on-track plant at Newland East Signal Box

.

10/2/2014

UPDATED: The information about freight train workings in the county including a photo of the Saturday/Sunday Redcar to Port Talbot via Worcester Colas working.


20/1/2014

ADDED: Ian Allan Locospotters Club North Wales Trip - 22nd September 1957 download (pdf)

Issue No.2 of The Big Four published by the Worcester Locomotive contains a note that "a W.D. 0-6-0 Diesel shunter was at Malvern Link" (in November 1960). The source of this information is not noted and nothing further is known about this unusual sighting.

On the same theme, on Saturday 1st June 1957 Gerald Wadley recorded that he had seen green livery W.D. 0-6-0ST No.WD 188 at Worcester. The Industrial Railway Society states that this locomotive is Vulcan Fundry 5284 of 1945 which had been transferred from Bicester to the Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway on 3rd May 1957.

19/1/2014

ADDED: Download of the first Ian Allan Locospotters Club (forerunner of the Worcester Loco Society) in August 1957.

ADDED: Photograph taken by Andrew Smith of class 66 diesel locomotive No.66221 at Norton.

ADDED: Photograph taken by Andrew Smith of No.165111 at Norton.

14/1/2014

ADDED: Photograph taken by Robert Cooke of class 66 diesel locomotive No.66432 at Bredicot.

CORRECTED: As advised by Phil Bullock designation of No.44575 changed to Fowler 4F 0-6-0 on Year by Year 1945-1959 entry.

ADDED: Brief report by David Guy on status of the renovations to Malvern Link Station.

ADDED: Photograph of class 33 diesel locomotives Nos.6503 and 6552 at Worcester in 1973. Photograph by Pete Wilcox.

ADDED: Photograph of three class 27 diesel locomotives at Worcester in 1984 Photograph by Steve Widdowson).

8/1/2014

ADDED: Photograph from the Gerald Wadley collection of 'Castle' class 4-6-0 steam locomotives Nos.7001 and 7027 at Malvern Link in 1957 with the stock of the Royal Train. Anyone interested in seeing more of Gerald's photographs is invited to attend the Worcester Locomotive Society's meeting in Worcester at 8pm on 4th March 2013. See www.worcesterlocomotivesociety.co.uk for details.

2/1/2014

It is with regard that we have been advised of the decease of signalman Bill Fisher MBE of Moreton box. He died on Christmas Day and his funeral will be at Bretforton Parish Church on Tues 14th Jan at 1030hrs. (Andrew Smith)

ADDED: Photograph on class 66 diesel locomotive No.66122 at Abbotswood with car carriers.

1/1/2014

2013 updates have been archived.



Click here for Worcester news items for 2013
(updated as new items become available)
Click here for a summary of train workings in Worcestershire in 2013 (updated 27/8/2013)
Click here for photographs of special trains in 2013

Click here for photographs of freight trains in 2013
UPDATED and ENHANCED: Worcestershire Year by Year (1963-2012)


Back to content