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Bordesley Station

GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton
GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Bordesley Station Photographs (58) Bordesley Viaduct (10) Duddeston Viaduct (9)
Bordesley Junction (17) Bordesley Shed (20) GWR Publication – Named Freight Trains
GWR Appendix to STT (Bordesley Junction & Station) GWR Service Time Table (GW Shunting & LMS Trips) GWR Appendix to STT
(Whistle Codes & other infomation)

Bordesley station was opened in 1855 on the GWR Birmingham to Oxford line between Snow Hill and Acocks Green as Small Heath and Tyseley were not opened until some time later. Bordesley station was unusual because it was built entirely on a viaduct. Initially the station was a conventional two platform station with a large goods shed and sidings. As part of the extensive upgrade to the route in to Birmingham, which saw the construction of Moor Street to handle local passenger services, Bordesley station was upgraded to a two-island platform facility, with one island handling local passenger services to and from Moor Street and the other handling traffic to and from Snow Hill. The station provided significant cattle facilities adjacent to and on Duddeston Viaduct, the long abandoned aborted link to the London & Birmingham Railway's Curzon Street station. Between Small Heath and Bordesley was a significant goods yard facility. Whilst in the 1930s eleven or twelve staff were employed at the station the loss of traffic in the 1960s saw the station downgraded to provide a minimal level of passenger services mainly concentrated on providing football fans access to Birmingham City's St Andrews football ground.

The Locomotive News and Railway Notes Journal, Volume VII – No 41, published 10th November 1920.

A Birmingham reader, Mr T Hinckley, some time ago forwarded particulars of locomotives seen during two hours at Bordesley Station. While we do not propose to print these in full, the following extract may be of interest:
Bordesley is the first station on the main line south of Snow Hill, although the Moor Street terminus, used for suburban traffic, is between the two; consequently trains going north from Bordesley may be either main line trains to Snow Hill and the North, or locals terminating at Moor Street; also trains on the main line pass outside Moor Street Station, and can be seen from the platforms.
The Moor Street locals are worked by auto-trains, 0-4-2T Nos 1425 and 1155, and 0-6-0ST No 2124 being on these in July last.
The Snow Hill locals are worked mainly by ‘Camel’ tanks, e.g., No 3602, 3603, 3604, 3608, and 2-6-2T, e.g., 3913, 3918, 3920, although No 627 (2-4-0T) was also observed.
The main line goods traffic is worked by various types, of which the numbers given were noted; 2-8-0 No 3000 and ROD 1739; 2-6-0 No 2606 (NA); 0-6-0 No 1092; 0-6-0ST No 1136; 0-6-0 No 2337; etc.
The 2.55 p.m. (ex Snow Hill) up express was hauled by No 4043 ‘Prince Henry’, while the 4-4-0 types were also in evidence, e.g., No 4159 ‘Anemone’, No 3305 ‘Tintagel’ (HFD) or (CDF), No 3264 ‘Trevethick’.
There is a good deal of light engine working to and from Tyseley shed, and one of the most interesting engines noted was No 322, an old Beyer Peacock saddle tank.
Thus it will be seen that GWR enthusiasts visiting Birmingham might do worse than spend an hour at Bordesley, especially with a camera as a companion.

Robert Ferris

Much of the information on this and other webpages of Warwickshire Railways is derived from articles or books listed in our 'bibliography'.

Pre-war photograph showing the redundant High Street entrance to the original Bordesley station
Ref: gwrbg2706
C Chinn
Pre-war photograph showing the redundant High Street entrance to the original Bordesley station
Another photograph of the High Street entrance to the original Bordesley Station taken in 1949
Ref: gwrbg2709
G Laucht
Another photograph of the High Street entrance to the original Bordesley Station taken in 1949
Looking North towards Snow Hill station from the end of the island platform serving the up and down main lines on 26th July 1929
Ref: gwrbg2274
GWR Magazine
A trolley bus for the city passes under the plate girder bridge over the Coventry Road on 30th June 1951
Looking towards Bordesley High Street in 1964 showing Bordesley	 Station's roadside entrance and booking hall
Ref: gwrbg1093
RM Casserley
Looking towards Bordesley High Street in 1964 showing Bordesley Station's roadside entrance and booking hall
Entrance to the second Bordesley passenger station which was located beneath the Coventry Road bridge
Ref: gwrbg1330
MA King
Entrance to the second Bordesley passenger station which was located beneath the Coventry Road bridge

Close up showing the far end of the station and the overbridge girders which spanned Coventry Road
Ref: gwrbg82b
Lens of Sutton
Close up showing the far end of the station and the overbridge girders which spanned Coventry Road
Close up showing the down and up main platforms and the two buildings for passenger facilities
Ref: gwrbg82c
Lens of Sutton
Close up showing the down and up main platforms and the two buildings for passenger facilities
Looking to Tyseley along the down main island platform with Coventry Road bridge girders in the near distance
Ref: gwrbg1086
RM Casserley
Looking to Tyseley along the down main island platform with Coventry Road bridge girders in the near distance
Close up showing the main up and down platforms with the odd extension that accommodated the stairs to Coventry Road
Ref: gwrbg1086a
RM Casserley
Close up showing the main up and down platforms with the unusual building leading to the stairs to Coventry Road
Close up showing the relief down platforms with the staggered odd extension that accommodated the stairs to Coventry Road
Ref: gwrbg1086b
RM Casserley
Close up of the relief down platforms and the building which accommodated the stairs to Coventry Road

Looking towards Moor Street with the down and up relief island platforms on the left and the main down and up island platforms on the right
Ref: gwrbg82
Lens of Sutton
Looking towards Moor Street with the down and up relief on the left and the main down and up on the right
Close up of the relief down and up platforms and buildings with the steps to the road at the far end
Ref: gwrbg82a
Lens of Sutton
Close up of the relief down and up platforms and buildings with the steps to the road at the far end
Looking south along the down relief platform at Bordesley Station with the MR’s bridge visible in the background
Ref: gwrbg2703
R Preston Hendry
Looking south along the down relief platform at Bordesley Station with the MR’s bridge visible in the background
Looking South towards Leamington with the bridge carrying the Midland Railways' Washwood Heath to Camp Hill line in the distance
Ref: gwrbg1328
C Gilbert
Looking South to Leamington with the bridge carrying the MR' Washwood Heath to Camp Hill line in the distance
Looking towards Tyseley from the edge of the island platform that served the relief lines at Bordesley Station
Ref: gwrbg2275
R Nelson
Looking towards Tyseley from the edge of the island platform that served the relief lines at Bordesley Station

View of Bordesley Station looking south towards Tyseley taken on 18th July 1963 from the edge of platform 3
Ref: gwrbg2716
GWR Magazine
View of Bordesley Station looking south towards Tyseley taken on 18th July 1963 from the edge of platform 3
Looking North towards Snow Hill station from the end of the island platform serving the up and down main lines on 26th July 1929
Ref: gwrbg1327
C Gilbert
Looking North towards Snow Hill station from the end of the island platform serving the up and down main lines
A 1929 view from the south end of Bordesley Station showing part of the bridge and the staggered platforms
Ref: gwrbg2279
C Gilbert
A 1929 view from the south end of Bordesley Station showing part of the bridge and the staggered platforms
Photograph  showing one of three steel plate girders used in the reconstruction of the Coventry Road Bridge
Ref: gwrbg2273
GWR Magazine
Photograph showing one of three steel plate girders used in the reconstruction of the Coventry Road Bridge
Bordesley North Signal Box viewed from the Birmingham city-centre side on 20th March 1966
Ref: gwrbg2280
C Gilbert
Bordesley North Signal Box viewed from the Birmingham city-centre side on 20th March 1966

Looking towards Moor St with the spur to the unfinished Duddeston Viaduct to connect to the LNWR's Curzon St station on the left
Ref: gwrbg670
PB Whitehouse
Looking to Moor St with the spur to the unfinished Duddeston Viaduct to the LNWR on the left
Close up showing the signal box that controlled the crossovers and junction with the sidings to the west of Bordesley station
Ref: gwrbg670a
PB Whitehouse
Close up showing Bordesley signal box which controlled the crossovers and junction with the sidings

Bordesley Green Goods Yard and Goods Shed

A 1931 GWR publicity aerial view of Bordesley warehouse showing its juxtaposition to the ex-MR Camp Hill line
Ref: gwrbg2268
GWR Magazine
A 1931 GWR publicity aerial view of Bordesley warehouse showing its juxtaposition to the ex-MR Camp Hill line
A 1931 GWR publicity photograph of Bordesley warehouse seen from the GWR Oxford to Snow Hill main line
Ref: gwrbg2267
GWR Magazine
A GWR publicity photograph of Bordesley warehouse seen from the GWR Oxford to Snow Hill main line
Close up showing a water column, fire devil and the signals controlling access from the new sidings
Ref: gwrbg2267a
GWR Magazine
Close up showing a water column, fire devil and the signals controlling access from the new sidings
Interior view of one of the upper floors of the Bordesley Warehouse showing some of the non-ferrous goods being stored
Ref: gwrbg2715
GWR Magazine
Interior view of one of the upper floors of the Bordesley Warehouse showing some of the non-ferrous goods stored
A photograph from Mr G Buckeley's book on Mechanical Appliances for Handling Railway Traffic
Ref: gwrbg2272
G Buckeley
A photograph from Mr G Buckeley's book on Mechanical Appliances for Handling Railway Traffic

View of Bordesley Goods Yard looking south towards Small Heath station and showing Small Heath Road bridge crossing the GWR line in the distance
Ref: gwrbg1333
R Pixton
Bordesley Goods Yard looking south showing Small Heath Road bridge crossing the GWR line in the distance
Close up of the arrival sidings on the left of Bordesley yard with a mix of wagons and vans in evidence
Ref: gwrbg1333a
R Pixton
Close up of the arrival sidings on the left of Bordesley yard with a mix of wagons and vans in evidence
Close up of the six main running lines to Moor Street station and the throat of the Caledonia yard
Ref: gwrbg1333b
R Pixton
Close up of the six main running lines to Moor Street station and the throat of the Caledonia yard
Close up of an unknown BR Class 08 Diesel at work with a GWR shunters truck attached in front
Ref: gwrbg1333c
R Pixton
Close up of an unknown BR Class 08 Diesel at work with a GWR shunters truck attached in front
A class F unfitted through freight has crossed over from Moor Street Goods Yard to the Up Main Line
Ref: gwrbg2281
C Flemens
A class F unfitted through freight has crossed over from Moor Street Goods Yard to the Up Main Line

A Shunters truck specially constructed to enable Shunters to safely travel on them within marshalling yards
Ref: gwrbg2282
Anon
A Shunters truck specially constructed to enable Shunters to safely travel on them within marshalling yards
Close up of Bordesley station's cattle dock with two cattle vans and three open seven-plank wagons in evidence
Ref: gwrbg670b
PB Whitehouse
Close up of Bordesley cattle dock with two cattle vans and three open seven-plank wagons in evidence
One of four girders made by E C & J Keay for GWR bridge over Sandy Lane near Bordesley
Ref: gwrbg2527
C Walker
View showing one of four girders made by E C & J Keay for GWR bridge over Sandy Lane near Bordesley
A composite image showing a photo and diagram of an Overhead Runway System used to handle goods
Ref: gwrbg2271
GWR
A composite image showing a photo and diagram of an Overhead Runway System used to handle goods
Engine Cleaner, Peter Frederick Smout and Examiner, Frederick Francis Blake honoured for bravery
Ref: gwrbg2291
GWR
Engine Cleaner, Peter Frederick Smout and Examiner, Frederick Francis Blake honoured for bravery

Locomotives and trains seen at or near to Bordesley Green station

An unidentified ex-GWR 4-6-0 Hall class locomotive is seen on up express parcels service as it passes through the station
Ref: gwrbg1087
RS Carpenter
An unidentified ex-GWR 4-6-0 Hall class locomotive is seen on up express parcels service passing through the station
Close up showing an ex-GWR 0-6-0PT Pannier tank marshalling a long coal train as it prepares to set back to Bordesley sidings
Ref: gwrbg1087a
RS Carpenter
Close up of the ex-GWR 0-6-0PT Pannier tank marshalling a long coal train into Bordesley sidings
Ex-GWR 0-6-0PT No 3673, a class 51xx locomotive, is seen at the head of a freight passing under the former Midland line to Camp Hill
Ref: gwrbg1094
G Adams
Ex-GWR 0-6-0PT No 3673 is seen at the head of a freight passing under the former Midland line to Camp Hill
An unidentified ex-GWR 2-6-2T 'Prairie' locomotive runs bunker first with a Class B local passenger service
Ref: gwrbg1331
Rail Archive Stephenson
An unidentified ex-GWR 2-6-2T 'Prairie' locomotive runs bunker first with a Class B local passenger service
Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 44816 traverses the ex-MR Camp Hill to Saltley line with a goods train on 20th July 1961
Ref: gwrbg1332
M Mensing
Ex-LMS 4-6-0 No 44816 traverses the ex-MR Camp Hill to Saltley line with a goods train on 20th July 1961

A DMU service approaches Moor Street from the south as it passes over Bordesley Viaduct on 6th September 1966
Ref: gwrbg2269
Birmingham Post
A DMU approaches Moor Street from the south as it passes over Bordesley Viaduct on 6th September 1966
Looking north from Bordesley South Signal Box as a class 9F 2-10-0 crosses the ex-MR viaduct with a freight
Ref: gwrbg2277
G Adams
Looking north from Bordesley South Signal Box as a class 9F 2-10-0 crosses the ex-MR viaduct with a freight
Ex-GWR class 38XX 2-8-0 No 3864 with a block oil train on the Down Main at the southern end of the Station
Ref: gwrbg2278
R Buckley
Ex-GWR class 38XX 2-8-0 No 3864 with a block oil train on the Down Main at the southern end of the Station
Ex-GWR class 43xx 2-6-0 with a down block oil train on the Down Main at the southern end of Bordesley Station
Ref: gwrbg2281a
C Flemens
Ex-GWR class 43xx 2-6-0 with a down block oil train on the Down Main at the southern end of Bordesley Station
Ex-Great Western Railway 43xx class 2-6-0 No 5339 approaching Bordesley on the down main line on 13th August 1955
Ref: gwrbg2483
G Adams
Ex-GWR 43xx class 2-6-0 No 5339 approaching Bordesley on the down main line on 13th August 1955

Ex-GWR 2-6-0 No 6319 passes through Bordesley station on a Type 4 down freight in July 1961
Ref: gwrbg2701
M Mensing
Ex-GWR 2-6-0 No 6319 passes through Bordesley station on a Type 4 down freight in July 1961

Maps of Bordesley Green station and Goods Yard

Ordnance Survey Map of 1889 and a schematic overlay showing the outline of the original Bordesley Station
Ref: gwrbg2704
Graham Laucht
Ordnance Survey Map of 1889 and a schematic overlay showing the outline of the original Bordesley Station
Ordnance Survey Map  of 1950 and a schematic overlay showing the outline of Bordesley Cattle Station
Ref: gwrbg2705
Graham Laucht
Ordnance Survey Map of 1950 and a schematic overlay showing the outline of the original station
Plan of Bordesley Station prior to the First World War showing the original station layout complete with goods shed
Ref: gwrbg2702
Ordnance Survey
Plan of Bordesley Station prior to the First World War showing the original station layout complete with goods shed
Map showing the 1930s Bordesley warehouse on the left, hemmed in by the Grand Union Canal and MR Viaduct
Ref: gwrbg2270
Ordnance Survey
Map showing the 1930s Bordesley warehouse on the left, hemmed in by the Grand Union Canal and MR Viaduct
A 1889 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed
Ref: gwrbg2710
Ordnance Survey
A 1889 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed

A 1905 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed
Ref: gwrbg2713
Ordnance Survey
A 1905 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed
A 1921 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed
Ref: gwrbg2712
Ordnance Survey
A 1921 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, Exchange Sidings and the Broad Gauge Engine Shed
A 1945 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, extensive exchange sidings and goods yard and shed
Ref: gwrbg2711
Ordnance Survey
A 1945 Map of Bordesley showing Bordesley Junction, extensive exchange sidings and goods yard and shed
View of Bordesley Goods Yard to the West of Jenkins Street bridge showing the extensive sidings and Bordesley Junction Signal Box
Ref: goods_yard_map_part1
Ordnance Survey
Bordesley Goods Yard to the West of Jenkins Street bridge showing the sidings and Bordesley Junction Signal Box
View of Bordesley Goods Yard to the East of Jenkins Street bridge showing the extensive sidings and Small Heath North Signal Box
Ref: goods_yard_map_part2
Ordnance Survey
Bordesley Goods Yard to the East of Jenkins Street bridge showing the sidings and Small Heath North Signal Box

This GWR Land Survey Plan from 1878 shows the land purchased by the Birmingham & Oxford Junction Railway
Ref: gwrbg3996
Great Western Railway
GWR Land Survey Plan from 1878 shows the land purchased by the Birmingham & Oxford Junction Railway
This Great Western Railway Land Survey Plan of Bordesley Station dates from 1878
Ref: gwrbg3998
Great Western Railway
This Great Western Railway Land Survey Plan of Bordesley Station and Goods Yard dates from 1878
A 1903 Map of the single line Bordesley Junction with the MR and marked with the names of the four Up Siding areas
Ref: gwrbg3997
Ordnance Survey
A 1903 Map of the single line Bordesley Junction with the MR and the names of the four Up Siding areas

Simon Richards wrote, 'I've read your pages on Bordesley station with interest. The first time I remember using the station was in 1968 as an 8 year old. It was just before the current layout. This what I believe - The entrance wasn't the current one it was to left (if facing towards Small Heath}. You went in and turned right to get to the stairs. In front of you was a ticket office - which even then had been closed. Soon after the entrance was bricked up. At the bottom of the stairs you can see where the way to the ticket office was.'