Handsworth and Smethwick Station

GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Handsworth & Smethwick station opened in 1854 on the GWR line from Snow Hill to Wolverhampton Low Level, a project originally mooted by the Birmingham Wolverhampton & Dudley Railway: a company for whom the GWR offered 'guidance' and within a short time, complete absorption. The BW&D's influence can be seen in the station architecture. Its rigid block-like stylings are very distinctive and almost a carbon copy of their other stations on the line: West Bromwich and Wednesbury Central, for example. The station closed, along with the line, in 1972 after services being gradually run-down for the previous few years.

Andy Doherty

Select an image below to view the larger version with accompanying text:

Re: gwrhs90 Anon Looking along Platform One of the station towards Wolverhampton with Watville Road bridge in the distance

Re: gwrhs90a Anon Close up showing the station's name board repainted in BR maroon and cream livery and the goods yard

Re: gwrhs90b Anon The Wolverhampton end of Handsworth & Smethwick's Platform One showing the porters barrow crossing

Re: gwrhs1975 Britain from Above An aerial view of Handsworth and Smethwick station and sidings seen on 18th April 1926

Re: gwrhs1985 Britain from Above Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Works next to Handsworth and Smethwick station in 1920

Ref: - gwrhs803 J Edgington Looking to Wolverhampton as an unidentified Castle class locomotive heads an up express through the station

Ref: - gwrhs1588 J Cooper-Smith Ex-LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No 48543 is seen passing through the station whilst at the head of an up freight

Ref: - gwrhs1589 A Muckley Ex-GWR 57xx class 0-6-0PT No 8767 running bunker first whilst at the head of a local coal service in March 1966

Ref: - gwrhs465 Anon Ex-GWR 2-6-2T Prairie No 6105 arrives at Handsworth & Smethwick station on a local service to Wolverhampton

Ref: gwrhs91 M Lock A pair of unidentified engines, a 4-6-0 and a 4-4-0 are seen passing through the station on an up express service

Re: gwrhs1988 M Vanns One of the Great Western Railway ‘Train Describer’ instruments from Handsworth and Smethwick Signal Box

Re: gwrhs1974 British Railways Handsworth & Smethwick station's Totem sign in British Railways' corporate regional livery

Ref: - gwrhs1593 M Mensing A pair of British Railways Class 40 locomotives, D235 and D216 'Campania' are seen passing Handsworth junction

Re: gwrhs1987 R Postill Ex-GWR 2-6-0 43xx Class No 6364 is seen standing in Handsworth sidings on 29th June 1964

Re: gwrhs1986 R Postill Ex-GWR 0-6-2T 56xx Class No 5606 passes through Handsworth and Smethwick station on an up goods

Re: gwrhs1984 R Postill Ex-GWR 2-6-2T 5101 Class No 4148 heads a long mineral train near Handsworth and Smethwick station

Re: gwrhs1983 R Postill BR Standard Class 9F 2-10-0 No 92002 passes through Handsworth with oil train on 26th September 1964

Re: gwrhs1972 R Postill BR Standard Class 9 2-10-0 No 92204 is seen standing in Queens Head sidings on 28th May 1964

Re: gwrhs1981 R Postill BR built Modified Hall 4-6-0 No 7915 'Mere Hall' approaches the station on 19th September 1964

Re: gwrhs1968 R Postill Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48312 is seen running tender first through Handsworth and Smethwick station

Re: gwrhs1969 R Postill Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48312 is seen at the head of a Type 7 working at Handsworth sidings on 26th September 1964

Re: gwrhs1970 R Postill BR built 2MT 2-6-0 No 46492 is seen running tender first through the station on 26th September 1964

Re: gwrhs1971 R Postill BR built 2MT 2-6-0 No 46492 passes through Handsworth and Smethwick station on 26th September 1964

Re: gwrhs1973 R Postill Ex-GWR 4-6-0 No 6849 'Walton Grange' is seen standing at Handsworth and Smethwick signal box

Ref: gwrhs1587 R Ferris A March 1907 letter from the District Goods Manager to Mr E Murphy, about the temporary connection arrangements

Re: h&w-signal-diag Signalling Record Society A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Handsworth and Smethwick South Signal Box

Re: handsworth_map Andy Doherty Map showing the location of Handsworth & Smethwick station and the access to the goods yard off Booth Street