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Alcester

LMS Route: Evesham to Birmingham

GWR Route: Alcester to Bearley

Alcester station was situated between Coughton and Wixford and opened for goods traffic on 16th June 1866 and to passenger traffic two months later on 17th September. Initially it was the terminus for the line from Evesham as the extension to Redditch did not open until 4th May 1868. Later the station became a block post on the MR line and a terminus to the Bearley branch line operated by the GWR.

When first opened the station had just one platform and single line through the station but very quickly received an up platform on the newly built passing loop. The signalling at the station was revised several times as the original signal box situated just to the south of the station was moved to be on the southern portion of the down platform. The signal box built to accommodate the junction with the GWR branch was replaced on 24th April when the signal box on the down platform also closed both being replaced by the new signal box to the north of the goods yard. The LMS replacing both to reduce both maintenance and labour costs, the latter being required twenty-four hours per day.

The station was provided with two sets of services, one operated by the GWR the other by the MR. The former providing access to the Birmingham to London line via Bearley and Hatton, the latter providing access to the southwest and a more direct line to Birmingham. In Bob Essery's book 'An Illustrated History of the Ashchurch to Barnt Green Line - The Evesham Route', Bob uses the MR 1909 timetable to demonstrate that the GWR did not time their trains to coincide with any MR connections. Clearly the GWR wished their passengers to use their route to the southwest via Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham.

Goods traffic was principally agricultural with the large cattle market offering business for both railway companies. Coal formed a major part of inward traffic with several local merchants and the Alcester Co-operative Society vying for trade. The GWR services were casualties during the two World Wars, the first time seeing the line uplifted to provide materials for the front on 1st January 1917 with the line reinstated on 29 July 1923. The second closure occurred on 25th September 1939 when passenger traffic was ceased and whilst goods traffic did not officially cease until 1st March 1951, Bob Essery believes that goods traffic most likely ceased with passenger traffic.

The GWR junction was taken out of use on 31st May 1953. The MR line from Redditch to Ashchurch was closed to both passenger and goods services in installments ending on 6th July 1964 with Alcester closing officially on 17th September 1963 although the last train ran on 1 October 1962 being replaced by a bus service.

Alcester Station - MR Alcester Station - GWR Alcester Shed - GWR

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

LMS railway photo
Ref: mra545 - HC Casserley
View of the forecourt and front elevation of the station from the station approach
Close up showing the station masters house and the extension provided to the property
Ref: mra545a - HC Casserley
Close up showing the station masters house and the extension provided to the property
Close up showing the station facilities and the extension to the booking offices
Ref: mra545b - Anon
Close up showing the station facilities and the extension to the booking offices

View of the original station building prior to the station offices and facilities be entended
Ref: mra393 - Anon
View of the original station building prior to the station offices and facilities be entended
Looking towards Evesham  with the original signal box opened in the 1870s located just past the end of down platform
Ref: mra463 - Lens of Sutton
Looking towards Evesham with the original signal box opened in the 1870s located just past the end of down platform
Close up of showing the original signal box shortly before it was replaced by a new signal box located on the end of the down platform
Ref: mra463a - Lens of Sutton
Close up of showing the original signal box shortly before it was replaced by a new signal box located on the end of the down platform

Close up showing the main portion of the station passenger facilities and booking office which was extended sometime in the 1870s
Ref: mra463b - Anon
Close up showing the main portion of the station passenger facilities and booking office which was extended sometime in the 1870s
Close up showing the original portion of the station when first opened for passenger traffic on 17th September 1866
Ref: mra463c - Anon
Close up showing the original portion of the station when first opened for passenger traffic on 17th September 1866
Alcester Station staff  with both Great Western and Midland Railway station masters present
Ref: mra462 - RS Carpenter
Alcester Station staff with both Great Western and Midland Railway station masters present

Looking towards Redditch as a MR goods train is seen passing through the station from Birmingham
Ref: mra131 - Postcard
Looking towards Redditch as a MR goods train is seen passing through the station from Birmingham
Close up showing the Midland goods train is being hauled by one of Kirtley's double-frame 0-6-0 locomotives
Ref: mra131a - Postcard
Close up showing the Midland goods train is being hauled by one of Kirtley's double-frame 0-6-0 locomotives
Another view of the MR Kirtley 0-6-0 Goods train paused at the station
Ref: mra132 - Postcard
Another view of the MR Kirtley 0-6-0 Goods train paused at the station

Looking towards Redditch with a GWR trailer standing in the goods yard
Ref: mra133 - Anon
Looking towards Redditch with a GWR trailer standing in the goods yard
An ex-LNWR guards van protects the end of a goods train as it runs north past the junction with the GWR branch to Bearley
Ref: mra130 - Anon
An ex-LNWR guards van protects the end of a goods train as it runs north past the junction with the GWR branch to Bearley
Close up of the throat to the goods shed, the cattle dock and carriage landing
Ref: mra130a - Anon
Close up of the throat to the goods shed, the cattle dock and carriage landing

LMS railway photo
Ref: mra135 - Anon
Looking towards Evesham with the station still neat and tidy but lacking the platform furniture and greenery
Ex-LMS Ivatt 4MT Mogul No 43036 running tender first on an Evesham to Birmingham local passenger train
Ref: mra134 - Anon
Ex-LMS Ivatt 4MT Mogul No 43036 running tender first on an Evesham to Birmingham local passenger train
Looking towards Redditch with the junction to the GWR Bearley branch beyond and to the right of the GWR shed
Ref: mra136 - Anon
Looking towards Redditch with the junction to the GWR Bearley branch beyond and to the right of the GWR shed

Looking towards Evesham with the main line to the left and the twelve vehicle siding beyond the barrow crossing
Ref: mra550 - Anon
Looking towards Evesham with the main line to the left and the twelve vehicle siding beyond the barrow crossing
The up platform's substantially built but sparse passenger waiting room
Ref: mra551 - Anon
The up platform's substantially built but sparse passenger waiting room
View looking towards Evesham in the 1950s featuring the MR pattern lower quadrant starting signal
Ref: mra547 - Anon
View looking towards Evesham in the 1950s featuring the MR pattern lower quadrant starting signal

The dual operation Midland Railway signal post with the buffer stop to the twelve vehicle siding on the right
Ref: mra548 - J Moss
The dual operation Midland Railway signal post with the buffer stop to the twelve vehicle siding on the right
Looking towards the front of the MR goods shed which had an open doorway and windows
Ref: mra469 - J Moss
Looking towards the front of the MR goods shed which had an open doorway and windows
Looking from the LMS built signal box looking towards the junction with the GWR branch curving to the right
Ref: mra470 - J Moss
Looking from the LMS built signal box looking towards the junction with the GWR branch curving to the right

Close up showing the nature of the layout of the junction with the GWR branch to Bearley
Ref: mra470a - J Moss
Close up showing the nature of the layout of the junction with the GWR branch to Bearley
Close up showing the coal stacking area and the hut and area beyond and under the trees was occupied by Butlers
Ref: mra470b - J Moss
Close up showing the coal stacking area and the hut and area beyond and under the trees was occupied by Butlers
The signalman stretches up to the fireman as they exchange the single line staff in this view taken from a Birmingham bound train
Ref: mra471 - RJ Essery
The signalman stretches up to the fireman as they exchange the single line staff in this view taken from a Birmingham bound train

The junction with the GWR branch to Bearley with the GWR water tower and shed to its right
Ref: mra474 - Anon
The junction with the GWR branch to Bearley with the GWR water tower and shed to its right
View of the flood damage caused to the bridges between Alcester and Wixford
Ref: mra138 - RS Carpenter
View of the flood damage caused to the bridges between Alcester and Wixford
Workman are rebuilding the final span on this girder bridge damaged by the storms and flood water of the winter of 1900/1901
Ref: mra139 - Anon
Workman are rebuilding the final span on this girder bridge damaged by the storms and flood water of the winter of 1900/1901

Close up showing a railway gang repairing the bridge
Ref: mra139a - Anon
Close up showing a railway gang repairing the bridge
LMS railway photo
Ref: mra385 - Anon
Location of station