Park Here

Aldridge 1990s

2012-01-28T09:22:00.003Z

A couple of shots from Aldridge circa 1998 showing 47345 with an up liner and 56032 in the same spot with an up empty steel train.

Thanks JT for these two.

92 On The Park

2012-01-13T20:20:00.002Z

66126 dragged 92015 through the park as 0D44 Bescot-Toton on 13/01/12. Presumably the 92 will return in DB red in due course.

Shadowy Serco

2012-01-13T20:18:00.001Z

97301 passes a shadowy Sutton Park with 1Q20 Shrewsbury-Derby RTC 13/01/12

Streetly Station

2011-10-30T09:42:00.006Z

An excellent early photographic postcard portraying Streetly station as it appeared probably during the 1920s/30s, kindly supplied by Richard C. An almost busy scene !

The picture is taken from the Thornhill Road bridge looking towards Walsall. The train is at the up platform with the steamer running tender-first, and what looks like four clerestory coaches in tow.

Jocko set free! (For a worthy cause)

2011-10-22T19:28:00.003+01:00

On the first of October 2005 there was a charity event held at Walsall Railway Club with all proceeds going to breast cancer charities. During this day 08709 was named Molly's Day, Molly being the young daughter of a Bescot driver who had sadly lost her mother to this illness.

The naming took place in Walsall Midland Yard and this photo shows the loco passing Pleck Junction while making its way to Walsall.

Last of the 'Bones'

2011-10-17T13:30:00.004+01:00

EWS-liveried 58050 'Toton Traction Depot', the last Class 58 in the series, is seen passing through Sutton Park in the late 1990s with an up empty MGR set, maybe bound for Daw Mill. The class were all withdrawn by 2002, a number being hired out for use in France and Spain.

Thanks to JT for the photo.

1990s Tamping Machine

2011-10-16T13:13:00.002+01:00

A typical tamper of the era, seen on the down at the Aldridge crossover, late 1990s.

Photo JT.

37518

2011-10-16T12:56:00.003+01:00

Bridges B55 and B56 provide an artistic backdrop as 37518 runs light through Aldridge in the early 1990s, probably en route Bescot.

The loco survives in preservation on the East Lancashire Railway.

Photo JT.

Tyseley Tour

2011-10-16T12:12:00.005+01:00

Tyseley Class 115/116 unit, set T402, is seen passing through Aldridge in the late 1980s.

This was in connection with a Tyseley Open Day event of that time and the shuttle was running between Tyseley and Walsall.

Photo's JT.

Tyseley Tour Two

2011-10-16T11:49:00.005+01:00

A second unit, T403, is seen on the up at Aldridge, having left Walsall a few minutes previously.

Photo's JT.

Celebrity Cement

2011-10-04T21:20:00.003+01:00

Tata Steel-liveried 60099 passes Walmley with 6M82 Walsall-Tunstead on 30th September 2011.

Penns Station

2011-09-02T15:55:00.009+01:00

A superb postcard full of detail, showing the neat little station at Penns (for Walmley) as it appeared around 100 years ago. The photo was taken from Penns Lane bridge looking towards Sutton Park and Walsall. A barrow crossing can be seen running across the railway nearest the camera, and bridge 22 known as the Big Span in the distance, with the New Hall Valley beyond. The last station master at Penns was Les Hollins, who served until closure in January 1965.

Today the site is shrouded by trees and all traces of the station have gone, except for some remnants of the upside (right) platform.

Walsall 31.....

2011-09-01T01:07:00.002+01:00

31601 has been kicking about the Walsall area for the last few weeks and is seen here passing the box on Wednesday 31 August, heading for Bescot Virtual Quarry.

Stock Move 2

2011-08-19T14:37:00.003+01:00

47270 passes Walmley with 5Z47 Carnforth-Tyseley 19/08/11. Nice to get some sunshine!

Stock Move

2011-08-19T12:54:00.004+01:00

On 19th August 2011, 66723 moved 508210 & 508201 from Donnington-Eastleigh, seen here passing through Sutton Park.

Triple Twenties

2011-08-14T08:58:00.004+01:00

Ex-DRS Type 1's 20305 + 20301 make for an interesting sight as they tow two barrier tanks across the Park on the afternoon of 8th August. Bringing up the rear of the formation was 20304.

6D20 Crewe - Derby.

Smoking can damage your health

2011-08-13T11:40:00.004+01:00

What I think were 47712 and 47818 lay down a smoke trail through Aldridge this morning. The DRS engines were running to Southampton as 0Z58 to pick up a Cruise Saver train on Sunday morning.

Fastline lives on

2011-07-31T14:01:00.002+01:00

66434 wearing the old Fastline Freight grey livery passes through Sutton Park on Friday 29th July.

Class 70s roll through

2011-07-31T13:47:00.004+01:00

1. 70001 with 4O29.
2. 70010 with 6U76.
3. 70005 with 6F16.
4. 70010 with 6U77.

Out for a stroll

2011-07-31T13:14:00.001+01:00

A nice day for a walk along the park line with your bike.

The Wedding Party

2011-07-31T11:16:00.002+01:00

A photoshoot in Bracebridge Woods after a Boathouse reception, just as an unseen Class 70 roars past!

Tangmere at Aldridge

2011-07-21T17:24:00.004+01:00

Ex-Southern Railway Battle of Britain Class steam engine 34067 'Tangmere' passing through Aldridge en route Crewe this afternoon.

1Q09 Recording Coach

2011-07-20T10:56:00.005+01:00

97302 + 97304 open up with yet another test train passing through Sutton Park. 97304 has a red-backed nameplate 'John Tiley'.

The track recording coach DB 999508 was originally built at Swindon Works in 1960 as an inspection saloon. Converted to a recording unit the coach was then painted into the former Serco red and grey test car livery, before receiving her latest coat of Network Rail yellow paint.

1Q09 Derby - Machynlleth Monday 18th July 2011.

Jupiter and Karine

2011-07-19T09:37:00.002+01:00

Two named Colas track machines seen at Streetly on 11th July.

We Don't Want No HS2 !

2011-07-15T09:31:00.005+01:00

Funny how that when the country is in mega-billions of debt the govt. can still find hundreds more £millions to come up with a scheme to ferry over-rich businessmen about at high speed...

DCR 56311

2011-07-12T16:01:00.002+01:00

DCR-owned 'Grid' number 56311 blasts through Water Orton early this afternoon with loaded scrap train 6Z56 running from Grimsby Town to Cardiff Tidal.

More like this please !

5O29 'Nunney Castle'

2011-07-11T08:47:00.003+01:00

The steamer is pictured heading across Sutton Park early on Saturday afternoon, running with support coach to Bristol (from Tyseley).

9th July 2011.
.

Valley of Hope

2011-07-09T11:18:00.007+01:00

FLHH locomotive 66601 'The Hope Valley' rushes through Aldridge on Saturday 9th July with a train of loaded sand hoppers from Middleton Towers to Crewe, an unusual train for the Sutton Park line, at least in daylight hours !

The Devonian

2011-07-09T11:18:00.005+01:00

55022 'Royal Scots Grey' passes Water Orton on Saturday morning. 47804 brings up the rear.

1Z32 Doncaster - Paignton..

Class 37s to Tyseley

2011-07-08T16:19:00.005+01:00

After a hard days testing on the Grand Junction and Cannock lines 37610 and 37604 return to Tyseley. Nice to see Class 37 action on the Park line on a Saturday.

Photo's taken at Aldridge old station site, 9th July.

Another look at 66152

2011-07-08T08:46:00.003+01:00

DBS red-liveried locomotive 66152 leaves the Blue Hole cutting behind as she heads towards Aldridge with the 6E08 steel empties from Wolverhampton, Wednesday 6th July.

I had gone out to photograph 5Z47 from Tyseley, a train of two coaches for Carnforth with 47786, but missed this move by two or three minutes...

Class 57 and 20s

2011-07-06T17:39:00.004+01:00

The unusual sight of a Class 57 heading a train of empty stock with two DRS Class 20s bringing up the rear. The ECS was running from Crewe to Gloucester to form an excursion to Penzance the following day.

57601 leads the move with 20309 + 20308 at the back. This train was stopped at Walsall's WL42 signal in Aldridge due to what I think were track circuit problems, the train driver then being given authority to pass this signal at danger and proceed slowly to the next signal at Sutton Park around four miles away.

Evening of Friday 24th June 2011.

A stranger on the patch.

2011-06-30T22:11:00.004+01:00

59205 L. Keith McNair, making an unusual sight around these parts, at Pleck Jcn on June 30th, running light from Bescot Down Yard to Crewe.

Track Machines

2011-06-25T18:08:00.004+01:00

Two Plasser and Theurer Track Machines parked up at the new Network Rail training centre just off Corporation Street West, Walsall. This has been built opposite Walsall Cement Terminal. 24.06.11.

DRS convoy and 70005

2011-06-25T12:56:00.003+01:00

What was later found to be an 0Z30 light move was a lucky catch at Sutton Park on Friday 24th June. The DRS convoy comprised 47810 + 47501 + 57004.

Passing the three engines was 70005 with what I expect was 6F16 Bescot - Mountsorrel / Stud Farm empty stone hoppers.

The blue livery of the DRS Class 37 and 47 fleet has been spoiled a little by the large branding down the side of the locomotives....

Blue 66402

2011-06-24T11:50:00.003+01:00

Another light engine seen running through the area on Wednesday 22nd June was 66402, on her way to Crewe I believe.

Colas 66843

2011-06-24T11:17:00.003+01:00

Everyone likes a Colas so here's 66843 looking resplendent in what I assume was a new coat of paint ? 0Z66 Eastleigh - Carlisle 17th June.

Colas and Crane

2011-06-22T20:18:00.004+01:00

Colas-owned Class 47 47739 'Robin of Templecombe' (!) hammers through Sutton Park with a crane for Bescot on the morning of 22nd June. The loco later returned light engine to the trains origin point, Rugby.

Green and Grey Choppers

2011-06-21T21:58:00.003+01:00

Great to see some variety on the Park as 20189 + 20227 pass through on the afternoon of the longest day of the year. The Type 1's had been stabled at Bescot overnight and were continuing on their way to the Midland Railway - Butterley. Evidently some infrastructure problems meant that the Class 20s were running around forty minutes late by this point, but they were able to make up time further into the journey.

DRS 37510 with an ECS move

2011-06-17T18:37:00.003+01:00

37510 runs through the 'Park with 5Z57, a train of inter-city stock heading to Willesden from Barrow Hill. Friday 17th June.

Class 97s with 1Q09

2011-06-16T18:56:00.005+01:00

97304 'John Tiley' and 97303 top-and-tail a test coach across Sutton Park on 16th June. 1Q09 was heading for Machynlleth out of it's Derby base.

Burnet Bonus

2011-06-15T20:06:00.004+01:00

One of the Five-spot Burnet moths that can be seen in clover grassland alongside the railway, especially at Aldridge and in the New Hall Valley.

97304 'John Tiley'

2011-06-13T20:05:00.002+01:00

Passing through Streetly Crossing Monday 13th June.

6M67 With Two Class 57s

2011-06-12T11:11:00.005+01:00

Here come the 57s ! 57008 + 57009 are seen working the Bridgwater - Crewe flasks past East View Rd on 26th May. Also snapped by Richard on 20th April was 950001, the Derby test unit (ex Class 150).

Photo's copyright R.Coghlan.

92042 Turns Red

2011-06-10T19:44:00.003+01:00

DBS electric loco 92042 (formerly named Honegger) is towed to Bescot behind 66108 on engineers train 6G45. The engine now sports the new DBS garish bright red livery.

Royal Sovereign

2011-06-10T09:14:00.003+01:00

The Royal engines often plod through the Park on their way to various destinations such as Toton, Wembley or Wolverton etc. Here's 67006 'Royal Sovereign' passing through on the up early in June 2011.

Stoneblower

2011-06-09T18:09:00.003+01:00

This Network Rail stoneblower was seen passing through Hardwick Wood on 6th June.

Hardwick Transfer

2011-06-08T15:00:00.004+01:00

A 'going-away' shot of the 56311 + 56312 'Artemis' + 50008 'Thunderer' trio as posted by Josh below, seen coursing through the Hardwick / Roundabout Woods on 6th June en route Washwood Heath.

Hoover Transfer

2011-06-06T18:11:00.005+01:00

56311 + 56312 Artemis + 50008 Thunderer are seen at Streetly Gate working 0Z57 Heywood to Washwood Heath.

Black 5s through the Park Lime Pits

2011-05-23T12:25:00.002+01:00

45407 and 44871 peek through the leaves on a very windy morning, heading home from the SVR.

Back to Blue

2011-05-13T22:43:00.001+01:00

LNER A4 Gresley Pacific 60019 'Bittern' glides through Water Orton with
The William Shakespeare charter yesterday afternoon (can't think where it could
be going...). The loco is currently disguised as 4492 'Dominion of New
Zealand' and is running with two tenders.

Thursday 12th May 2011.

Steam Supreme

2011-05-02T11:36:00.004+01:00

Close-up of the Llandudno Steam Festival tour blasting through the former Aldridge station site on 30th April 2011 behind Tyseley steam loco's 4965 + 5043.

Photo copyright P P Newell.

Testing Tractors

2011-04-29T11:37:00.003+01:00

Adding to Nick's effort from Streetly, here was the view from Walmley among the brambles!

Quebec Eight Eight

2011-04-28T22:49:00.003+01:00

Thursday 28th April 2011 saw 2Q88 09.42 Banbury to Derby with 37069 and 37611 top and tail DB999508 passing through Hardwick Woods.

'The Red Rose'

2011-04-17T19:36:00.002+01:00

Castle 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe is seen passing Wylde Green while working Vintage Trains 'The Red Rose' on Saturday 16th April.

Class 379 'Eurostar'

2011-04-03T23:24:00.004+01:00

379002 is hauled across the Park with barriers etc, by 67028 on Friday 1st April. The EMU was being taken back to Bombardier at Derby Litchurch Lane, its place of origin, where more are being built to work the Stansted express trains.

Peak on the Park

2011-04-02T08:11:00.003+01:00

The classic view from Blackroot Bridge, taken fifty years ago in March 1961 and depicting 'Peak' Class 45 loco D21 (later 45026) approaching from the Streetly direction on the up line with a short rake of stock.

The loco was temporarily based at Saltley depot at that time for driver training purposes.

The view is pretty much the same today except that the tall semaphore signal and telegraph posts have long gone. A new signal has been installed about 100 yards further back from the old semaphore position and will be commissioned in April 2012.

The loco remained in service until 1986 when withdrawn, being cut up at MC Metals in Glasgow around November 1988.

Keeper's Well

2011-03-28T17:32:00.019+01:00

Keepers Well is about forty minutes walk from Druids Well, located near the Keepers Pool, and is a more conventionally shaped well. The pool and well are at least 600 years old, the pool was initially built to stock fish and is more formal than Bracebridge or Blackroot Pools.

The well has been maintained but it looks as though vandals have kicked over part of the wall. A freshwater spring bubbles up at the side of the well.

Note the Comma butterfly basking on the well wall in the first photo, and a close-up of the same insect.

This well is quite photogenic compared to Druids !

Druid's Well

2011-03-28T17:32:00.018+01:00

It is not generally known that there are three water wells within Sutton Park, two of which date back to medieval times, and that all three survive fairly intact.

The most dilapidated is Druids Well, located in muddy woodland near Bracebridge Pool, which has remained overgrown and forgotten for many years now. Although this well is only about 200 years old it is said to have been sited on an old freshwater spring.

After locating the grave-sized rectangular well today I had to cut back brambles and shrubs, and remove earth and leaves to expose the stone paving.

As can be seen in the 100-year old photograph the well had a dog kennel-like housing protecting the water, this shelter is now discarded nearby (it is made of a concrete-like material with internal wire mesh, and is very heavy).

The well still draws water from the ground, but the water is tainted by rotting leaves, silt and moss etc.

Note - For some unknown reason the blog has published the last photo upside down...

Peds on the Park

2011-03-24T19:21:00.002Z

Whilst waiting for the 60, this fine pair of old beasts passed through on an 0Z80 Washwood Heath-Derby move, strangely running via Bescot and Stoke! I didn't even know they were due!

Colas PGA Move

2011-03-24T19:17:00.003Z

47739 moved 10 PGAs from Stoke Marcroft down to Long Marston on 24th March 2011. Alas the shot at the old Sutton Park station is somewhat compromised by that new signal, but thankfully this telephoto shot is still possible!

Teenage Tug on the Cement

2011-03-24T18:49:00.003Z

Teenage Cancer Trust-liveried 60074 worked 6M82 Walsall-Tunstead on 24th March 2011 so once again I found myself near Penns mingling with the brambles!

A Birthday Treat (2)

2011-03-22T20:00:00.005Z

A Brucie Bonus move from 14th March was 37676 & 37685 coming down from Crewe with one of the NR 86/9s, collecting the other one from Bescot and then moving the duo to the RTC at Derby. Not knowing if they'd leave Bescot early or on time, I played it safe and went for a going away shot at Walsall Cement Works. Unusual visitors to the Sutton Park Line for sure!

A Birthday Treat (1)

2011-03-22T19:57:00.003Z

On March 14th 2011, I celebrated (?!) my birthday with a trip down to Walsall to shoot old DRS-liveried odd couple 37607 & 20303 working 6M56 from Berkeley-Crewe.

Sneaky Saturday Seventy

2011-03-22T19:53:00.004Z

On Saturday 19th March, 70004 worked 4V46 Rugeley-Stoke Gifford empty coal. I sneaked into the field near Penns to grab this shot, cutting my legs on brambles in the process! Good job it wasn't 3 minutes earlier or I'd have endured that for a dulled out ruined shot!

DB Shed Needs a Bath!

2011-03-22T19:49:00.005Z

On 17th March, a filthy DB Red 66152 worked 6M82 Walsall-Tunstead - seen here passing East View Road almost bang on time.

T In The Park

2011-03-18T23:36:00.004Z

Battle of Britain Class No. 34067 Tangmere is seen passing Sutton Park old station while working 5Z37 Carnforth to Southall.

1Q69 Test Train

2011-03-11T23:53:00.005Z

Smart-looking DRS loco 37087 runs down through the 'Blue Hole' cutting (near Rushall) on Friday afternoon with test train 1Q69 from Derby. The pantograph fitted to one of the coaches was unused as the train wasn't conducting tests anywhere under the wires, being routed to Hereford via Shrewsbury.

5Z47 Carnforth - Tyseley

2011-03-10T11:32:00.004Z

47786 'Roy Castle OBE' peeps through a sunspot as she brings a rake of stock past East View yesterday afternoon. The train of ten coaches was headed to Tyseley.

Thanks to Richard Coghlan for this photo.

Sea Urchins in Dry Dock

2011-03-10T09:53:00.006Z

A few snaps of the stranded wagons near the old Post Office connection at Sutton Park. The wagon numbers of the two 'Urchin' ZCA types are T 110780 and (I think) DC 460460.

T 110780 still has it's Shildon works plate fitted. I assume these wagons of spoil were detached from ballast workings as 'cripples' years ago, since when the siding they stand on has been disconnected from the main lines.

Nearby is a small electricity sub-station along Midland Road and up line signal SY269. The days are numbered for this signal and all the other 40-year old signals along this route when the newly positioned signals are activated in April 2012.

Cabinet Flask

2011-03-08T22:37:00.004Z

6M56 from Berkeley passes through Streetly earlier this afternoon with 66431 + 66427 doing the haulage honours. Several new lineside cabinets have sprung up this spring in connection with the ongoing resignalling scheme.

More Blue 37s

2011-03-01T18:40:00.005Z

37038 + 37601 pass bridge 41 in the gloom of Sutton Park late this afternoon with two flasks running from from Berkeley to Crewe.

Blue Afternoon

2011-02-27T19:49:00.005Z

Tuesday 22nd February 2011 was certainly a blue afternoon at Streetly Gate with a procession of blue locos passing the location.

Firstly, GBRf class 20's 20301/2/4/5 passed on 0Z20 Crewe to Derby loco move. These are the locos that do the new London Underground Tube Stock moves from Derby and had been to Gresty Bridge for maintenance.

Then came Freightliner's Bardon Aggregate liveried class 66 66623 Bill Bolsover hauling 6M49 12:44 Barrow Hill-Rugeley Power Station loaded coal

Next came DRS class 47 47712 Pride of Carlisle double heading class 57 57009 on 5Z50 09.52 Plymouth-Crewe. This was the return move of the security coaches off the previous days flask move to Devonport Docks.

Finally, following close behind, was 6M56 12:41 Berkeley-Crewe flasks hauled by DRS class 66's 66423 and 66421.

Double Yellows

2011-02-22T19:42:00.002Z

Here's another shot of 97302 + 97303 a little further down the line.

Yellow Return

2011-02-20T19:47:00.003Z

Tuesday 15th February 2011 saw 97302 and 97303 pass Streetly Gate on 6Z97 12.05 Shrewsbury-Toton empty wagon return after they had spent the weekend on the Cambrian on test.

DRS Crewe on a Mission

2011-02-13T12:29:00.008Z

Three great shots taken from East View Road, Wylde Green, recently.

47712 passes with a coach for Crewe on 3rd Feb 2011 (note new signal post).

37423 & 20308 with 6M56 nuclear flask, also for Crewe, on 1st November 2010.

What looks to be a stoneblower on the down, 12th November 2010.

Thanks Richard for these three photo's, I think you were the only one to bag the 47 !

Sutton Park DMU

2011-02-12T09:48:00.003Z

Thanks to Phill for this self-explanatory cutting.

Wagons Off The Road !

2011-02-06T17:51:00.005Z

In July 1988 a derailment occurred on the Sutton Park line leading to five HEA-type domestic coal wagons going down the embankment near the Chester Road between Streetly and Aldridge. The train involved was 6J43, a Saturday-only Washwood Heath to Gobowen service loaded with 7 coal hoppers, and thought to have been worked by loco 37218. Shortly after passing the Hardwick Wood foot crossing the track changed from jointed to long welded rail back then, and a strong lurching was felt at that point with the train brakes coming on. The loco and the first two HEA's remained on the rails but the next five trucks had gone down the embankment with coal spilling out everywhere. Fortunately no other trains were passing at the time, and the train stopped before the Chester Road bridge was reached.

Eventually the 5 condemned trucks were removed to the old station site at Aldridge, where they were cut up in situ within a couple of weeks.

Many thanks to Lee Sutton for supplying these great shots, and to Phill B. for additional information.

Wagons off the Road 2

2011-02-06T17:50:00.016Z

These shots show the hoppers awaiting cutting. Three of the wagon numbers were 360232, 360926 and 361141.

Wagons off the Road 3

2011-02-06T17:50:00.015Z

These views show the hoppers after cutting, which took place at the upside of the old Aldridge Station site.

Streetly Station 1953

2011-01-21T10:59:00.002Z

Loco 42482 glides into the up platform of Streetly station on 6th June 1953, with a six coach set running from Walsall to Birmingham New Street.

By this time the signal box (behind the downside platform building) had gone, and the 'back' platform on the left had also long disappeared and turned into a shrubbery.

The station itself was wiped off the map just 12 years after this photograph was taken.

Copyright unknown.

Park Lane Junction

2011-01-18T22:32:00.006Z

Although these views were only snapshots taken with a pocket camera they came out quite well, particularly the view of distant Park Lane Junction from Ashurst Road. The line is dead straight for about a mile from here and is on an embankment from roughly halfway down, taking the railway over four main bridges which are the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (built 1789), Kingsbury Road dual carriageway, Forge Lane and Park Lane, where the line is singled and a signal box once stood. Other minor bridges in the distance take the single line over Minworth sewage treatment beds !

Two Greens in One

2011-01-15T19:54:00.004Z

66522 working 4E72 coal empties from Rugeley P.S. across Sutton Park this afternoon (with slightly blurry front end, damn !).

Also enclosed is a snow scene from the same bridge showing 66597, again with an empty set from Rugeley, taken on 7th January, which was only just over a week ago.

Q Train

2011-01-12T20:55:00.003Z

97304 John Tiley and 97302 are seen at Streetly Gate working 1Q09 Derby to Machynlleth on Monday 10th January 2011.

Double Royal

2011-01-12T17:26:00.004Z

A great shot of Royal engines 47798 'Prince William' + 47799 'Prince Henry' working hard up the incline past Daw End with Royal Train ECS on 2nd July 2002.

With thanks to Lee Sutton for this historic photograph.

Triple-Header to Tyseley

2011-01-11T17:03:00.003Z

Hasty shots depicting three WCRC Class 47s which ran light to Tyseley early Monday afternoon.

Train engine 47760 hauled 47851 and 47826, which is adorned with a 'Scarborough Spa Express' steam train advert.

Sutton Town Station

2011-01-09T01:08:00.008Z

The former downside platform station buildings bask in bright winter sunshine on Saturday afternoon. They are now used as offices (photo's 3 and 4).

Over on the other side of the tracks the identical upside buildings are still intact, though now in a very dilapidated and overgrown condition (photo's 1 and 2).

Located at the end of where the downside platform stood is an old wrought iron gate and evidence of a Midland Railway diagonal-slatted fence.

The station here was apparently the first along the route to close, back in 1925, but oddly is the only location on the line where all station buildings still exist !

New post anyone ?

2011-01-09T00:23:00.006Z

Six new signal posts awaiting installion across the Sutton Park line in connection with the West Midlands resignalling scheme, and some related equipment is also shown.

24040 at Aldridge

2011-01-03T15:41:00.004Z

A slide scan of loco 24040 seen at the former station site of Aldridge during the latter half of the 1970s. The station buildings have been reduced to rubble and the platforms have all but been removed and cut back away from the running lines. New cable troughing has been laid on the upside.

In the background above the loco can be seen Station Road with the Pool Green area at left, and in the far distance Dumblederry Lane bridge.

Many thanks to Lee Sutton for this great shot.

Iced Up

2010-12-26T11:52:00.004Z

Some views taken along Longwood Road, Aldridge during the big freeze, the afternoon of 7th December.

Napier Navigator

2010-12-12T11:58:00.006Z

Another of Richard's excellent captures sees Porterbrook Deltic D9016 Gordon Highlander heading the 'Napier Navigator' charter excursion from Crewe to York on the 6th April 2002.

The view is that as seen from East View Road, near Wylde Green, before the pallisade fencing uglification.

Photo Copyright R Coghlan.

Back to the 70s!

2010-12-09T18:43:00.004Z

It's been a while since I've noticed a 70 work the ballast from Stud Farm-Bescot, so it was nice to see 70006 rounding the curve at Ryecroft Jn with 6G16 on Wednesday 08th December. I'd have been even happier if it had run a tad late to enable the sun to get round more, but these things can't be helped!

Streetly Snowfall

2010-12-01T18:43:00.004Z

Tuesday 30th November 2010 was a day of snowy conditions on the Park. 66577 is shown passing Streetly Gate in a heavy snow shower hauling what was assumed to be 4L68 12.15 Birch Coppice to Felixstowe freightliner.

The day also saw a strange move take place. The previous night's 6M00 11.33 Humber-Kingsbury tanks hauled by 60011, which was due to arrive at 17.15, didn't get to Kingsbury until midnight, long after the oil terminal closed. As soon as Kingsbury reopened it was allocated 6E68 back to Humber to clear the terminal for this mornings inbound tanks but then changed to 6Z68 Kingsbury-Bescot DS which duly ran. The loco then refuelled at Bescot before rejoining it’s train of tanks sat in the yard and then ran as 6Z68 13.35 Bescot-Humber complete with it's 31 tanks still unemptied and is again seen passing Streetly Gate.

Black and White

2010-11-28T19:17:00.004Z

Saturday 27th November 2010 saw the first snowfall of the winter in the West Midlands and was also the day that ex LMS Class 5MT 45305 took 1Z34 The Deva Explorer from Tyseley to Chester. The Black 5 is shown passing Hardwick Woods just after sunrise with a dusting of snow still visible on the track and the trees.

Heavy Weight Freight

2010-11-28T19:03:00.004Z

A filthy 66039 drags a single wagon on 6D99 08.06 Bescot-Toton departmental freight through Hardwick on Saturday 27th November 2010. The dirty condition of the 66 implies that it has recently been used on RHTT duties somewhere.

Bone Inspection

2010-11-18T11:35:00.002Z

Class 58 'Bone' loco number 58002 passes Sutton Park old station on 13th June 1988 with a Walsall-bound inspection saloon. Note that the platforms and station buildings were still intact at this time.

Thanks to Richard Coghlan for this excellent photograph.

The Odd Couple

2010-11-16T21:00:00.002Z

20303 & 37038 worked the Berkeley flasks on Tuesday 16/11/10. They are seen here at Ryecroft coming off the park about 10 minutes after the sun had given up for the day!

More new signals

2010-11-09T18:33:00.005Z

Another two new signalposts have been installed at Walmley, not far from Penns old station site, along with what looks like a new base for electrical equipment cabinets.

No doubt this in connection with the ongoing West Midlands resignalling scheme, and the eventual closure of Walsall and Saltley Power Signal Boxes within 2 - 3 years.

Photo 1. The new signal on the down line can just be made out under Ashurst Rd bridge, on the right of the tracks. The signal at left is the current SY265 repeater on the up line. Loco 66159 stands at a red on SY265 signal proper, in the distance at Park Lane Jcn.

Photo 2. The new (not-yet commissioned) signal on the up line.

Photo 3. Locomotive 66159 passing the new signal, en route for Washwood Heath.

Photo 4. New base for lineside cabinets ? (on the right, the rail entrance to the former Penns Good Yard also used to be here). On the left can be seen a Termination board for a 20mph emergency speed restriction on the up line which has now been here for a year or more...

Golden Section

2010-11-09T00:29:00.000Z

A golden autumnal scene belying the rain and gloom yesterday afternoon, as 60073 rushes eastwards with the 6E08 Wolverhampton - Immingham 'pigsheds'.

Resignalling

2010-11-07T11:53:00.002Z

A new signal post and phone have appeared at the site of the old Sutton Park station, at the western end of the former downside platform. The signal number appears to be WL40/1A, although some graffiti has already been sprayed onto it... Also at the site was some 'roadrailer' machinery of various types. The points levers for the temporarily-dismantled crossover can also be seen.