Penns Station (for Walmley) and Goods Yard

LMS Route: Water Orton to Walsall

Penns station opened in 1879 on the Midland Railway's Walsall to Water Orton line. It was the first station on the route after leaving the junction between Castle Bromwich and Water Orton on the Birmingham to Derby line. The station had two platforms sited opposite each other with brick built structures on both. The main station building; which accommodated the station master's office, booking office and hall plus first class and ladies waiting rooms; was located on the down platform whilst the up platform was equipped with a small single storey structure housing just passenger facilities. The passenger station was located in a cutting with two bridges crossing the railway at each end. On the Walsall side was an occupation bridge - for farm traffic - whilst at the Water Orton end was Penns Road bridge from where the station derived its name. The goods yard was located on the up side and to the 'south' of the passenger station being sandwiched between Eachelhurst Road to the north and Ashurst Road to the south, with access to the goods yard via the former. There was a passing loop siding with two sidings branching off; one to the goods shed and the other to a cattle dock. The passenger station was closed in 1965 at the same time as Sutton Park and Streetly as part of Beaching's rationalisation; Sutton Town having been closed previously.

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

Ref: mrp1146 xxxx Looking towards Walsall from Penns Lane bridge with the main station building sited on the down platform

Ref: mrp334 ES Russell Looking to Water Orton from the down platform as a local passenger service arrives at Penns station circa 1930s

Ref: mrp334a ES Russell Close up of Penns station building showing the general symmetry of the structure and its run down appearance

Ref: mrp334b ES Russell Close up showing details of Penns station building including Posterboards, signage and platform lighting

Ref: mrp1144 M Mensing A two-car Gloucester RCW Diesel Multiple Unit passes Penns goods yard on 2nd October 1959

Ref: mrp1144a M Mensing Close up showing Penns goods shed and yard which was located some distance from the passenger station

Ref: mrp1149 M Morant Looking along the down platform from the Walsall end of Penns station with the main building on the left

Ref: mrp1148a RJ Buckley Close up of the building located on Penns station's up platform viewed from the Water Orton end of the station

Ref: mrp1148 RJ Buckley Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45648 'Wemyss' is seen passing through Penns at the head of the down relief Pines Express

Ref: mrp1145 M Mensing Ex-LNWR 7F G2a 0-8-0 No 49210 trundles through Penns on a north bound freight on 5th September 1959

Ref: mrp1147 M Morant British Railways built 4MT 2-6-0 No 43045 passes through Penns station on an ordinary passenger service

Ref: mrp1150 M Mensing BR Standard Class 4 4-6-0 No 75022 is seen running tender first on a down freight on 5th September 1959

Ref: mrp334c ES Russell Close up of LMS 4P 2-6-4T No 2337 arriving at Penns station on a local New Street to Walsall service

Ref: mrp1143 Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey map showing the location of Penns station in relation to its goods yard facilities