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GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Hockley Goods Depot

Hockley Station (28) Hockley Goods Yard (137)

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Brief Overview of Hockley Depot

Hockley Goods Depot was located just to the north of Hockley No 2 tunnel and just over a mile from Snow Hill station. Situated alongside the GWR main line between Wolverhampton to Birmingham Hockley Goods Depot was the principal GWR goods station for general traffic in the area. The line between Wolverhampton and Priestfield, which was two miles to the south of Wolverhampton, was opened in November 1854 with Hockley passenger station opening at the same time. Its believed that the goods facility also opened late 1854 early 1855. Both Broad Gauge and Narrow (Standard) Gauge traffic were handled, largely through traffic to and from Wolverhampton though a couple of services in each direction ran far north as Manchester; and in the south; trains ran to Leamington, Didcot, Reading, Basingstoke or Paddington. In addition there were a small number of trains running between Hockley and Wolverhampton, including West Midland railway company traffic.

At the dawn of the 20th century, Hockley had two large sheds, Inwards and Outwards, the former being at the Birmingham (south) end of the yard and the latter at Wolverhampton (north) end of the yard. The Inwards shed was served by two dead-end lines with a third entering the shed. Subsequently at the south end of the Inwards shed a four storey brick warehouse was erected. The Outwards shed contained six roads, five serving platform faces and all being through roads continuing through and beyond the shed and converging outside the northern end of the shed to connect with the approach roads to the Inwards shed. The main shunting yard, consisting of a dozen or so roads, was located between the passenger station and the two sheds. Accessing Hockley Goods station by road was via Pitsford Street which formed the Western edge of the yard. The yard was bounded in the north by All Saints Street and and in the south by Vyse Street. The depot measured some three-quarters of mile long by two to three hundred yards wide. Due to the lie of the ground, Hockley was effectively built on an embankment. In the centre running off at right angles and below track level was Icknield Road. Initially only the passenger station was built over Icknield Road but as the goods amenities grew and with them additional sidings, so the bridge over Icknield Road grew wider.

Running approximately parallel to Icknield Road was All Saints Street in the north and Vyse Street in the south, all three connected by Pitsford Street. All Saints Street and Vyse Street passed over the railway at either end of the yard whilst Icknield Road in the centre passed under the yard. A siding off the main shunting yard ran under All Saints Street to a wagon hoist which served the higher level canal basin. There was a further goods yard situated on the north-eastern side of the passenger station, known as the 'Round Yard'. Round Yard was a milage yard handling full load traffic and occasionally livestock, through the cattle pens which extended along the eastern edge of the yard, alongside All Saints Street. By the late 1920s Hockley had over a thousand permanent staff under a very senior goods agent. There were more than 160 clerks of various grades and types to handle the mass of paperwork generated each day. Some thirty inspectors and foremen to organise and supervise the work, fifteen shunters in the yard, about 350 men in and around the sheds, with a similar number of carters, motor drivers and van guards for the collection and delivery of the goods. The GWR also employed 7 boatmen who operated from the canal basin. In 1928 four hundred and sixty-one horse-drawn vehicles were employed pulled by two hundred and seventy horses supported by forty-one road vehicles.

Frank Popplewell

In response to the first article written by Frank Popplewell in the Great Western Railway Journal, Kenneth J Harrison of Christchurch in Dorset wrote 'Frank Poppelwell's evocative article about Birmingham (Hockley) Goods Station is a nice mix of historical detail and anecdote, encapsulating the image of an important, but less glamorous, Great Western function. The somewhat obdurate nature of the GWR from the 1850s onwards can be illustrated by my experience when I started work at Hockley at the beginning of World War II. It was the practice to subject new young clerks to initiation rites, which could take on different forms, one of which was to require the victim to search the goods decks for a 'bag of sparks', said to be needed urgently by 'Wilders Fireworks' to complete an order by the 5th of November. In my case it was to locate an apparently vital document which had gone missing. My long walk between departments in the extensive Hockley complex failed to find any trace of the 'Fog Book'. There was, of course, hearty laughter all round and a youthful red face. Having suffered this humiliation. I was less than compliant when instructed by a senior clerk to 'Go and fetch the Farm Book'. In those days nothing seemed less likely than that the industrial cauldron in which Hockley was situated could have anything to do with farming. 'On no! I won't be caught out again', I said. A grim-faced senior clerk deputed another young hopeful to perform the task and. much to my chagrin, he soon reappeared carrying a rather well handled foolscap book, from which the legend on a white label unmistakably proclaimed it to be the Farm Book. Another humiliation, another red face, more laughter - but now the grim face changed to a kindly smile and explanations were forthcoming. The Round Yard at Hockley, which Frank mentions in his article, was situated on the up side with the only entrance at the north end of the passenger station. It seems that when the depot first opened, a major portion of the traffic dealt with was agricultural and included cattle and other farm animals being transported to and from the small farms common in the area at the time. These comings and goings were recorded in the Farm Book. but, although the bucolic nature of the traffic changed to steel, timber, pig iron, machinery, and so on, during the years of industrialisation, in good old Great Western style, it began as the Farm Book and so it was — probably to the end of its days'.

A Mr L Foxon of Tewkesbury Gloucestershire also wrote, 'Hockley Goods was certainly in operation prior to 1862. In an exercise to establish the prime cost of boatage. it appeared in an 1855 list of stations in the Northern Alliance Agreements 1854/6 (PRO RAIL 2 50/752 page 36). Handsworth & Smethwick is mentioned in the same documents on 21st December 1854. I only have before me a few notes from these agreements, an examination of the full document could well find a slightly earlier mention of Hockley Goods. Thos. Bantock (the GWR cartage and boatage agent) had 8 boats, out of a total of 51 at Hockley on 1st May 1860 (PRO 188 42)'.

People wishing to learn more about Hockley Station and its goods yard, particularly what it was like to work there from 1935 until 1967 when it closed, should read the six articles by Frank Popplewell in the Great Western Railway Journal. I would like to take this opportunity of crediting Frank Popplewell as being the source for much of the rich information provided in the captions to the photographs.

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Views of Hockley Goods Yard and Sidings

Looking towards Snow Hill with the station in the centre, gantry crane on the left and the sheds on the right
Ref: gwrhd692
NRM
Looking towards Snow Hill with the station in the centre, gantry crane on the left and the sheds on the right
Close up showing mainly GWR box vans being assembled on the roads adjacent to the 'goods outwards' shed
Ref: gwrhd692b
NRM
Close up showing mainly GWR box vans being assembled on the roads adjacent to the 'goods outwards' shed
Looking south showing the Outward shed and sidings and a GWR 0-6-0ST on the shed's connecting lines
Ref: gwrhd691
NRM
Looking south showing the Outward shed and sidings and a GWR 0-6-0ST on the shed's connecting lines
Close up of the unidentified Great Western Railway 0-6-0ST locomotive marshalling trains in the yard
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NRM
Close up of the unidentified Great Western Railway 0-6-0ST locomotive marshalling trains in the yard
Close up showing the Outward and Tranship shed, the sidings running adjacent to it and several access doors
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NRM
Close up showing the Outward and Tranship shed, the sidings running adjacent to it and several access doors

Close up showing a formal garden and that not all parts of Hockley depot was given over to the goods traffic
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NRM
Close up showing a formal garden and that not all parts of Hockley depot was given over to the goods traffic
Looking north towards Top shed and beyond to the canal wharf with the lines to Wolverhampton on the right
Ref: gwrhd683
NRM
Looking north towards Top shed and beyond to the canal wharf with the lines to Wolverhampton on the right
Close up showing how Hockley's Top shed was still being operated whilst the area was being substantially rebuilt
Ref: gwrhd683a
NRM
Close up showing how Hockley's Top shed was still being operated whilst the area was being substantially rebuilt
Close up showing the proximity of Hockley station to 'Top' shed and the plethora of access roads and sidings
Ref: gwrhd683b
NRM
Close up showing the proximity of Hockley station to 'Top' shed and the plethora of access roads and sidings
Looking to the old Outward and Tranship shed and on the left the area of the yard known as the 'The Farm'
Ref: gwrhd756
NRM
Looking to the old Outward and Tranship shed and on the left the area of the yard known as the 'The Farm'

View of the advanced work being undertaken in preparation of the redevelopment of Outwards and Tranship shed
Ref: gwrhd684
NRM
View of the work being undertaken in preparation of the redevelopment of Outwards and Tranship shed
A general view of the sidings running adjacent to the Outward and Tranship shed on 17th August 1938
Ref: gwrhd725
NRM
A general view of the sidings running adjacent to the Outward and Tranship shed on 17th August 1938
Close up showing the range and volume of wagons being handled by Hockley and other GWR goods yards
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NRM
Close up showing the range and volume of wagons being handled by Hockley and other GWR goods yards
Close up of the facilities which the GWR made available to support operations within Hockley goods yard
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NRM
Close up of the facilities which the GWR made available to support operations within Hockley goods yard
Close up showing the variety of open wagons and box vans in use by the GWR and the other railway companies
Ref: gwrhd725c
NRM
Close up showing the variety of open wagons and box vans in use by the GWR and the other railway companies

Looking in the direction of Wolverhampton with the old 'Outwards and Tranship' shed being prepared for rebuilding
Ref: gwrhd727
NRM
Looking in the direction of Wolverhampton with the old 'Outwards and Tranship' shed being prepared for rebuilding
Close up showing one of the regular 0-6-0PT 57xx class locomotives which were deployed in the yard
Ref: gwrhd727a
NRM
Close up showing one of the regular 0-6-0PT 57xx class locomotives which were deployed in the yard
A partially elevated view of Hockley's long boundary with Pitsford Street as seen on 11th July 1938
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NRM
A partially elevated view of Hockley's long boundary with Pitsford Street as seen on 11th July 1938
Looking to Snow Hill and the old Outwards and Tranship shed with the new Invoice Office steelwork being erected
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NRM
Looking to Snow Hill and the old Outwards and Tranship shed with the new Invoice Office steelwork being erected
Close up showing some of the advanced groundwork being carried out to the left of the Outwards and Tranship shed
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NRM
Close up showing some of the advanced groundwork being carried out to the left of the Outwards and Tranship shed

Close up of the advanced works being carried out in the vicinity of the North Gate leading on to Pitsford Street
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NRM
Close up of the advanced works being carried out in the vicinity of the North Gate leading on to Pitsford Street
Looking towards Wolverhampton and showing the erection of the steelwork for the new 'Top' shed
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NRM
Looking towards Wolverhampton and showing the erection of the steelwork for the new 'Top' shed
Close up showing an unidentified GWR half-cab 0-6-0PT marshalling a rake of box vans in the sidings
Ref: gwrhd721a
NRM
Close up showing an unidentified GWR half-cab 0-6-0PT marshalling a rake of box vans in the sidings
Close up showing the Outwards and Tranship shed's annex and the mix of box vans and open wagons in the train on the right
Ref: gwrhd721b
NRM
Close up showing the shed's annex and the mix of box vans and open wagons in the train on the right
The old Inwards shed being modified on 11th July 1938 for use for warehousing by the addition of a shunting spur
Ref: gwrhd722
NRM
The old Inwards shed being modified on 11th July 1938 for use for warehousing by the addition of a shunting spur

View of the final stages of the construction of the 'Top' shed as seen from All Saints Street on 12th February 1940
Ref: gwrhd677
NRM
View of the final stages of the construction of the 'Top' shed as seen from All Saints Street on 12th February 1940
Close up showing 'Top' shed's No 10 platform with road vehicles in evidence behind the contractor's scaffolding
Ref: gwrhd677a
NRM
Close up showing 'Top' shed's No 10 platform with road vehicles in evidence behind the contractor's scaffolding
View of the old Inward sheds now converted for use as a warehouse by the addition of a shunting spur
Ref: gwrhd723
NRM
View of the old Inward sheds now converted for use as a warehouse by the addition of a shunting spur
View of the old Inwards shed located at the bottom of the yard now being used for warehouse purposes
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View of the old Inwards shed located at the bottom of the yard now being used for warehouse purposes
Close up of an unidentified GWR 0-6-0PT and shunters truck standing on the middle road within the shed
Ref: gwrhd724a
NRM
Close up of an unidentified GWR 0-6-0PT and shunters truck standing on the middle road within the shed

A last view of the Bottom shed and warehouse shortly before the  yard was to close to goods traffic forever
Ref: gwrhd703
John Davies
A last view of the Bottom shed and warehouse shortly before the yard was to close to goods traffic forever
Another view of 'Top' shed on 12th February 1940 showing the building work remaining at the northern end of the depot
Ref: gwrhd678
NRM
Another view of 'Top' shed on 12th February 1940 showing the building work remaining at the northern end of the depot
View on 2nd August 1939 of 'Top' shed under construction whilst the new Invoice Office is ready for occupancy
Ref: gwrhd718
NRM
View on 2nd August 1939 of 'Top' shed under construction whilst the new Invoice Office is ready for occupancy
A later view showing the new 'Top' shed now complete and box vans being propelled through to the canal wharf
Ref: gwrhd679
NRM
A later view showing the new 'Top' shed now complete and box vans being propelled through to the canal wharf
An 8th March 1939 view of the newly completed 'Invoicing Office' located at the Northern end of the new Top shed
Ref: gwrhd716
NRM
An 8th March 1939 view of the newly completed 'Invoicing Office' located at the Northern end of the new Top shed

View of a box van passing through the tunnel beneath All Saints Street on its way to Hockley canal wharf
Ref: gwrhd719
NRM
View of a box van passing through the tunnel beneath All Saints Street on its way to Hockley canal wharf
Hockley's two-road wagon hoist for lifting wagons to the Canal Wharf located on the north side of All Saints Street
Ref: gwrhd720
NRM
Hockley's two-road wagon hoist for lifting wagons to the Canal Wharf located on the north side of All Saints Street
Hockley's accommodation for plant and machinery workshops located on the edge of the canal basin site
Ref: gwrhd681
John Davies
Hockley's accommodation for plant and machinery workshops located on the edge of the canal basin site
View of the now redundant Canal Wharf and Basin seen in 1967, the last year of Hockley's working life
Ref: gwrhd680
John Davies
View of the now redundant Canal Wharf and Basin seen in 1967, the last year of Hockley's working life
View along Canal Basin Drive, a private GWR owned road leading to the basin complex from All Saints Street
Ref: gwrhd682
NRM
View along Canal Basin Drive, a private GWR owned road leading to the basin complex from All Saints Street

The three storey extension being added to the old Inwards (or Bottom) shed and warehouse during 1930
Ref: gwrhd2621
GWR Magazine
The three storey extension being added to the old Inwards shed and warehouse during the early 1930s

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Internal views of Hockley Depot's Goods Sheds

Inside 'Top' shed looking southwards along decks 2, 3 and 4 from the windows of the new elevated Invoice Office
Ref: gwrhd709
NRM
Inside 'Top' shed looking southwards along decks 2, 3 and 4 from the windows of the new elevated Invoice Office
Close up showing Box Vans and open wagons at Platform No 2  within Top shed being loaded
Ref: gwrhd709a
NRM
Close up showing Box Vans and open wagons at Platform No 2 within Top shed being loaded
Close up showing a Box Van at Platform 3 within Top shed next to one of the temporary destination signs
Ref: gwrhd709b
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Close up showing a Box Van at Platform 3 within Top shed next to one of the temporary destination signs
An internal view of one of the platforms showing a cartage area with fixed cranes on both sides of the deck
Ref: gwrhd706
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An internal view of one of the platforms showing a cartage area with fixed cranes on both sides of the deck
Looking south along the deck of Platforms 2 and 1 under Top shed's glazed roof on 11th August 1943
Ref: gwrhd711
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Looking south along the deck of Platforms 2 and 1 under Top shed's glazed roof on 11th August 1943

Close up showing the southerly section of decks 2 and 1 with a mobile crane standing on the platform
Ref: gwrhd711a
NRM
Close up showing the southerly section of decks 2 and 1 with a mobile crane standing on the platform
Close up showing Top shed's cartage area with rows of horse-drawn vehicles and a young female porter at rest
Ref: gwrhd711b
NRM
Close up showing Top shed's cartage area with rows of horse-drawn vehicles and a young female porter at rest
View of several Box Vans ready to be loaded on 2nd November 1939 including one from the LNER
Ref: gwrhd712
NRM
View of several Box Vans ready to be loaded on 2nd November 1939 including one from the LNER
Looking along the northern end of Top shed with decks 3 to 9 being seen on the right on 1st August 1943
Ref: gwrhd714
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Looking along the northern end of Top shed with decks 3 to 9 being seen on the right on 1st August 1943
Close up of the destination board suspended over each platform within Top shed and the list of destinations
Ref: gwrhd714a
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Close up of the destination board suspended over each platform within Top shed and the list of destinations

View of the inside of the northern end of Top shed showing the integration of the elevated Invoice Office
Ref: gwrhd713
NRM
View of the inside of the northern end of Top shed showing the integration of the elevated Invoice Office
The balcony store area in Hockley's old Inwards (or Bottom) shed and warehouse in 1929
Ref: gwrhd2623
GWR Magazine
The balcony store area in Hockley's old Inwards (or Bottom) shed and warehouse in 1929
An official photograph of the Hockley Goods Outwards and Transfer Shed taken prior to the reconstruction work which started in 1938
Ref: gwrhd3892
Great Western Railway
Hockley Goods Outwards and Transfer Shed taken prior to the reconstruction work which started in 1938
Viewed from All Saints Road bridge this official photograph shows the Hockley Goods Outwards and Transfer Shed in the background
Ref: gwrhd3893
Great Western Railway
Official photograph showing the Hockley Goods Outwards and Transfer Shed in the background
Extract from GWR Diagram showing their water mains at Hockley, with inserted an annotated OS Map
Ref: gwrhd3891
Great Western Railway
Extract from GWR Diagram showing their water mains at Hockley, with inserted an annotated OS Map

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Hockley Depots Cartage and Road Distribution

View taken on 12th February 1940 of the main entrance to the yard for road vehicles entering via Pitsford Street
Ref: gwrhd676
NRM
View taken on 12th February 1940 of the main entrance to the yard for road vehicles entering via Pitsford Street
Close up showing the main entrance to the yard for road vehicles entering via Pitsford Street on 12th February 1940
Ref: gwrhd676a
NRM
Close up showing the main entrance to the yard for road vehicles entering via Pitsford Street on 12th February 1940
Looking south in the summer of 1940 in the direction of the offices and Snow Hill with Hockley North Gate in the foreground
Ref: gwrhd675
NRM
Looking south in 1940 in the direction of the offices and Snow Hill with Hockley North Gate in the foreground
Close up showing some of the variety of cartage road vehicles employed by the GWR at Hockley in 1940
Ref: gwrhd675a
NRM
Close up showing some of the variety of cartage road vehicles employed by the GWR at Hockley in 1940
Close up showing a three wheel 'mechanised horse' adjacent to a standard lorry and horse-drawn vehicle
Ref: gwrhd675b
NRM
Close up showing a three wheel 'mechanised horse' adjacent to a standard lorry and horse-drawn vehicle

Close up showing the steel frame being erected and other building work being carried out on 'Top' shed
Ref: gwrhd675c
NRM
Close up showing the steel frame being erected and other building work being carried out on 'Top' shed
Close up showing the entrance to the yard and weighbridge and office during the summer of 1940
Ref: gwrhd675d
NRM
Close up showing the entrance to the yard and weighbridge and office during the summer of 1940
An elevated view showing the stable block on the left and the old 'Outwards and Tranship shed' on the right
Ref: gwrhd704
NRM
An elevated view showing the stable block on the left and the old 'Outwards and Tranship shed' on the right
View of Hockley Goods Depot's main offices and the cartage area leading to the North Gate entrance
Ref: gwrhd685
NRM
View of Hockley Goods Depot's main offices and the cartage area leading to the North Gate entrance
Close up showing the area to the north of Hockley Depot's office block and the demolished stables
Ref: gwrhd685a
NRM
Close up showing the area to the north of Hockley Depot's office block and the demolished stables

Hockley Depot's main office block prior to redevelopment work impacting upon this part of the depot
Ref: gwrhd729
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Hockley Depot's main office block prior to redevelopment work impacting upon this part of the depot
View of the new Top shed's cartage area and the canopy erected over No 1 platform to provide protection
Ref: gwrhd750
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View of the new Top shed's cartage area and the canopy erected over No 1 platform to provide protection
Close up showing the different types of sheeting and tarpaulins used to protect goods whilst in transit
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Close up showing the different types of sheeting and tarpaulins used to protect goods whilst in transit
Close up showing the North Gate which faced Pitsfords Street and the buildings which stood on either side
Ref: gwrhd750b
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Close up showing the North Gate which faced Pitsfords Street and the buildings which stood on either side
A number of Hockley's GWR designed horse drawn vehicles together with a range of commercially designed lorries
Ref: gwrhd710
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A number of Hockley's GWR designed horse drawn vehicles together with a range of commercially designed lorries

Goods being loaded for distribution to city businesses at the Hockley's old Outward shed circa 1927
Ref: gwrhd708
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Goods being loaded for distribution to city businesses at the Hockley's old Outward shed circa 1927
The Farm area outside of the main offices on 12th February 1940 with all kinds of GWR transport on show
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The Farm area outside of the main offices on 12th February 1940 with all kinds of GWR transport on show
Close up showing the detail of several Great Western Railway lorries based at Hockley Goods Depot
Ref: gwrhd749a
NRM
Close up showing the detail of several Great Western Railway lorries based at Hockley Goods Depot
Close up showing the variety of road transport employed by the GWR for cartage at Hockley in 1940
Ref: gwrhd749b
NRM
Close up showing the variety of road transport employed by the GWR for cartage at Hockley in 1940
Although this view is thought to have been taken in 1927 the most remarkable thing is that not one lorry is in sight
Ref: gwrhd705
NRM
Although this view is thought to have been taken in 1927 the most remarkable thing is that not one lorry is in sight

View of Hockley's Middle Gate adjacent to the Inwards shed, now Bottom shed, seen in the middle 1960s
Ref: gwrhd694
John Davies
View of Hockley's Middle Gate adjacent to the Inwards shed, now Bottom shed, seen in the middle 1960s
The old Inwards shed, now known as the Bottom shed, seen from the Pitsford Street side of the depot
Ref: gwrhd702
John Davies
The old Inwards shed, now known as the Bottom shed, seen from the Pitsford Street side of the depot
View from ground level of the tunnel which led under the railway to the passenger station circa 1967
Ref: gwrhd695
John Davies
View from ground level of the tunnel which led under the railway to the passenger station circa 1967
View looking along the length of Icknield Street as it passes under Hockley station and goods yard in the 1960s
Ref: gwrhd690
John Davies
View looking along the length of Icknield Street as it passes under Hockley station and goods yard in the 1960s
A Great Western Railway two horse tilt van in Hockley Goods Station driven by Mr Jack Jackson
Ref: gwrhd1658a
M Mensing
Behind Prairie No 4146 is the Round yard with its 25 ton Goliath travelling gantry crane in British Railways days

Looking across to the All Saints' Road entrance to Hockley's goods yard facilities sited on the up side of the station
Ref: gwrhd690
Roger Carpenter
Looking across to the All Saints' Road entrance to Hockley's goods yard sited on the up side of the station
The 25 ton Goliath travelling gantry crane at Hockley Goods Yard unloading a transformer from bogie boiler trolley
Ref: gwrhd2617
GWR Magazine
The 25 ton Goliath travelling gantry crane at Hockley Goods Yard unloading a transformer from bogie boiler trolley
xx
Ref: gwrhd2619
GWR Magazine
The 25 ton Goliath travelling gantry crane spanned two sidings and adjacent cart roadways in the Round yard
An exceptional load publicity shot taken in Hockley Goods Yard published in November 1933
Ref: gwrhd2620
GWR Magazine
An exceptional load publicity shot taken in Hockley Goods Yard published in November 1933
A 113 foot long plate girder at Hockley Goods Yard for use in the re-construction of the Goods Station
Ref: gwrhd2622
GWR Magazine
A 113 foot long plate girder at Hockley Goods Yard for use in the re-construction of the Goods Station

Demonstrating the old and new methods of moving railway vehicles around a goods yard on 6th April 1949
Ref: gwrhd1656
Ian Allan Library
Demonstrating the old and new methods of moving railway vehicles around a goods yard on 6th April 1949
GWR Chain Horse helping another horse with a loaded flat trolley up the Pitsford Street slope
Ref: gwrhd748
Great Western Railway
GWR Chain Horse helping another horse with a loaded flat trolley up the Pitsford Street slope
A Great Western Railway two horse tilt van in Hockley Goods Station driven by Mr Jack Jackson
Ref: gwrhd693
Great Western Railway
A Great Western Railway two horse tilt van in Hockley Goods Station driven by Mr Jack Jackson
GWR two horse covered tilt van No 417 outside the old ‘Inwards shed and Warehouse’ in Hockley Goods Yard in 1921
Ref: gwrhd2624
GWR Magazine
GWR two horse covered tilt van No 417 outside the old ‘Inwards shed and Warehouse’ in 1921
GWR single horse flat trolley being loaded with sacks for distribution at the end of the Inwards Shed and Warehouse
Ref: gwrhd2625
GWR Magazine
GWR single horse flat trolley being loaded with sacks for distribution at the end of the Inwards Shed and Warehouse

A GWR Karrier Cob Mechanical Horse acting as the 'Chain Horse' in Pitsford Street with a two horse tilt van
Ref: gwrhd707
Great Western Railway
A GWR Karrier Cob Mechanical Horse acting as the 'Chain Horse' in Pitsford Street with a two horse tilt van

Ref: gwrhd732
GWR Magazine
Anderson Air-raid Shelters being distributed in Birmingham by GWR cartage services in early 1939
Components of a corrugated steel Anderson Shelter being delivered in Birmingham by GWR Cartage services in early 1939
Ref: gwrhd736
GWR Magazine
Components of a corrugated steel Anderson Shelter being delivered in Birmingham by GWR Cartage services
A Great Western Railway wagon label for the ‘Station truck’ No 723, starting at Birmingham Hockley Goods Yard
Ref: gwrhd2618
R Ferris
A GWR wagon label for the ‘Station truck’ No 723, starting at Birmingham Hockley Goods Yard

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Second World War Damage, Repairs and Rebuilding

View from Pitsford Street of the damage to Hockley's offices caused by the air raid on 12th December 1940
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NRM
View from Pitsford Street of the damage to Hockley's offices caused by the air raid on 12th December 1940
View looking towards Birmingham showing the extensive damage suffered by the main office block
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NRM
View looking towards Birmingham showing the extensive damage suffered by the main office block
View of the work being carried to repair the bomb damage to the offices and Top shed on 15th May 1941
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NRM
View of the work being carried to repair the bomb damage to the offices and Top shed on 15th May 1941
An 11th August 1941 view showing the offices are still being repaired whilst the 'Top' shed is now complete
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NRM
An 11th August 1941 view showing the offices are still being repaired whilst the 'Top' shed is now complete
The main offices on 11th August 1943 showing the rebuilding work some twenty months after the air raid
Ref: gwrhd742
NRM
The main offices on 11th August 1943 showing the rebuilding work some twenty months after the air raid

View on 11th February 1941 of Hockley's main office block being repaired some two months after the air raid
Ref: gwrhd745
NRM
View on 11th February 1941 of Hockley's main office block being repaired some two months after the air raid
The new Amenities Block located in the north-west corner of the goods yard between 'Top' shed and Pitsfield Street
Ref: gwrhd673
NRM
The new Amenities Block sited in the north-west corner of the goods yard between 'Top' shed and Pitsfield Street
View showing Hockley's rebuilt main office block and balcony prior to the closure of the yard in 1967
Ref: gwrhd696
John Davies
View showing Hockley's rebuilt main office block and balcony prior to the closure of the yard in 1967
View of the rebuilt entrance to Hockley's bonded store as seen from Pitsford Street in the 1960s
Ref: gwrhd697
John Davies
View of the rebuilt entrance to Hockley's bonded store as seen from Pitsford Street in the 1960s

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Hockley Depot's Offices

An internal view of the Comptometer Office based within Hockley's main offices adjacent to the' Farm'
Ref: gwrhd687
Lens of Sutton
An internal view of the Comptometer Office based within Hockley's main offices adjacent to the' Farm'
An interior view of the new elevated Invoicing Office seen shortly after its completion on 2nd May 1939
Ref: gwrhd717
NRM
An interior view of the new elevated Invoicing Office seen shortly after its completion on 2nd May 1939
An internal view of Hockley's Invoicing and Staff Office seen in 1967 just prior to its closure
Ref: gwrhd733
John Davies
An internal view of Hockley's Invoicing and Staff Office seen in 1967 just prior to its closure
An internal view of the staff section of the Invoicing Office which was kept discrete from other activities
Ref: gwrhd734
John Davies
An internal view of the staff section of the Invoicing Office which was kept discrete from other activities
A 1967 internal view of the Chief Clerk's Office which was situated within the new elevated Invoice Office
Ref: gwrhd735
John Davies
A 1967 internal view of the Chief Clerk's Office which was situated within the new elevated Invoice Office

An internal view of the Delivery Office located at the Icknield Street end of Hockley's main office block
Ref: gwrhd744
John Davies
An internal view of the Delivery Office located at the Icknield Street end of Hockley's main office block
Another internal view of the Delivery Office located adjacent to the Bottom Shed shortly before closure in 1967
Ref: gwrhd740
John Davies
Another internal view of the Delivery Office located adjacent to the Bottom Shed shortly before closure in 1967
An internal view of Hockley's Correspondence Office seen in 1967 shortly before its closure
Ref: gwrhd728
John Davies
An internal view of Hockley's Correspondence Office seen in 1967 shortly before its closure
A 1967 internal view of the clerical dining room located on the top floor of Hockley's rebuilt main offices
Ref: gwrhd739
John Davies
A 1967 internal view of the clerical dining room located on the top floor of Hockley's rebuilt main offices
An internal view of the canteen for wages grade staff located on the top floor of Hockley's rebuilt main offices
Ref: gwrhd737
John Davies
An internal view of the canteen for wages grade staff located on the top floor of Hockley's rebuilt main offices

Internal view of Hockley's Document Store used to store current consignment notes and invoices circa 1967
Ref: gwrhd726
NRM
Internal view of Hockley's Document Store used to store current consignment notes and invoices circa 1967
An internal view of Hockley's last Account's Office which was located adjacent to the Main Offices
Ref: gwrhd674
John Davies
An internal view of Hockley's last Account's Office which was located adjacent to the Main Offices
An internal view of Hockley's kitchen serving the the two dining rooms on the top floor of Hockley's office block
Ref: gwrhd738
John Davies
An internal view of Hockley's kitchen serving the the two dining rooms on the top floor of Hockley's office block

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Hockley Goods Yard - The End

The outward transhipment shed viewed looking north west in the direction of Wolverhampton
Ref: gwrhd3190
M Jee
The 'new' outward transhipment shed viewed looking north west in the direction of Wolverhampton
The remains of the old Inwards shed located at the bottom of the yard used for warehouse purposes
Ref: gwrhd3187
M Jee
The remains of the old Inwards shed located at the bottom of the yard used for warehouse purposes
Looking towards the tunnels to Snow Hill and the old Outwards and Tranship shed used as a warehouse on the right
Ref: gwrhd3185
M Jee
Looking towards the tunnels to Snow Hill and the old Outwards shed used as a warehouse on the right
Looking across to the former Great Western Railway's offices which backed on to Pitsford Street
Ref: gwrhd3184
M Jee
Looking across to the former Great Western Railway's offices which backed on to Pitsford Street
View from ground level of the tunnel which led under the railway to the passenger station circa 1971
Ref: gwrhd3189
M Jee
View from ground level of the tunnel which led under the railway to the passenger station circa 1971

Looking along the abandoned Hockley station island platform towards Wolverhampton
Ref: gwrhd3183
M Jee
Looking north west along the long abandoned Hockley station island platform towards Wolverhampton
Looking along the down relief line with the steel girders carrying the railway over Icknield Street in the foreground
Ref: gwrhd3186
M Jee
Looking along the down relief line with the steel girders carrying the railway over Icknield Street in the foreground
View of the Snow Hill end of the former station's platforms with the tunnel in the distance and signal box on the left
Ref: gwrhd3182
M Jee
View of the Snow Hill end of the former station's platforms with the tunnel in the distance and signal box on the left
One of several internal views of the now closed Hockley Goods Outward Transhipment Shed
Ref: gwrhd3188
M Jee
One of several internal views of the roof of the now closed Hockley Goods Outward Transhipment Shed

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GWR Publications on Railhead Distribution

Booklet giving information on the GWR's new service of 'Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction'
Ref: gwrhd1647
GWR Magazine
Booklet giving information on the GWR's new service of 'Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction'
Flyer advertising the GWR's new service of 'Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction'
Ref: gwrhd1646
GWR Magazine
Flyer advertising the GWR's new service of 'Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction'
Map showing locations covered by the GWR's new Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction service
Ref: gwrhd1648
GWR Magazine
Map showing locations covered by the GWR's new Railhead Distribution for Speed and Satisfaction service
GWR 1934 revised Railhead Distribution Booklet detailing the facilities available for large commercial customers
Ref: gwrhd2663
GWR Publications
GWR 1934 revised Railhead Distribution Booklet detailing the facilities available for large commercial customers
Great Western Railway's 1936 Map showing their five Railhead Distribution Areas in grey shade
Ref: gwrhd2662
GWR Publications
Great Western Railway's 1936 Map showing their five Railhead Distribution Areas in grey shade

Extract from the 1935 Birmingham ABC Rates Book showing how the GWR worked with the LMS
Ref: gwrhd2664
GWR Publications
Extract from the 1935 Birmingham ABC Rates Book showing how the GWR worked with the LMS
A booklet issued by the GWR to bring to the notice of manufacturers the facilities and special vehicles that existed
Ref: gwrhd3096
GWR Publications
A GWR booklet to bring to the notice of manufacturers the facilities and special vehicles that existed

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Maps of Hockley Station and Goods Depot

An 1888 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
Ref: gwrhd1663
National Library of Scotland
An 1888 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
An 1888 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing the layout of the canal wharf and the goods yard
Ref: gwrhd1663a
National Library of Scotland
An 1888 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the layout of the canal wharf and the goods yard
An 1888 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left
Ref: gwrhd1663b
National Library of Scotland
An 1888 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left
A 1902 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
Ref: gwrhd1664
National Library of Scotland
A 1902 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
A 1902 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing the layout of the canal wharf and the goods yard
Ref: gwrhd1664a
National Library of Scotland
A 1902 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the layout of the canal wharf and the goods yard

A 1902 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left
Ref: gwrhd1664b
National Library of Scotland
A 1902 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left
A 1913 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
Ref: gwrhd3179
National Library of Scotland
A 1913 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Hockley station, goods yard and transit sheds
Close up of map showing All Saints Street and the canal wharf's two road wagon hoist adjacent to the church
Ref: gwrhd3179a
National Library of Scotland
A 1913 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the layout of the canal wharf and the goods yard
A 1913 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left
Ref: gwrhd3179b
National Library of Scotland
A 1913 25 inch to the mile OS map showing the Inwards shed on the right and the Outwards shed on the left

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Hockley Station (28) Hockley Goods Yard (137)