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Tamworth Low Level Station

LMS Route: Trent Valley Line

General Introduction

Tamworth was a small market town and was historically split between Staffordshire and Warwickshire, with the county boundary running through the town centre although the station was within Warwickshire. Following the county boundary changes in 1887, the station lay just outside Warwickshire with the approaches to the station being within the county. Tamworth's original stations were provided first by the Birmingham & Derby Junction Railway (B&DJR) in 1839 - absorbed in to the Midland Railway (MR) in 1844 - and then shortly afterwards by the Trent Valley Railway (TVR), which was taken over by the LNWR before it opened in 1847. The Midland station was situated on the Birmingham to Derby line whilst the LNWR station was constructed at right angles immediately beneath. Their strategic relationship to each other can be ascertained by the construction of a connecting line joining between the two in June 1847 whereas the TVR was opened in September 1847. Tamworth's importance lay in the development of the Royal Mail services which with the Penny Post saw an immense expansion in this important service.

Being government traffic, the railways were obliged to provide services for the transportation of mail throughout the country which was also a lucrative commercial business. The layout of John William Livock's designed station building was from the outset meant to facilitate the transfer of mail and passengers between the two important routes with part of the TVR station providing a direct connection to the B&DJR station. This was later superceded by the LNWR mail lifts sited on either side of the TVR station which led up to the down Midland Railway platform. It should be noted that whereas the LNWR's up and down lines centered on London - with up traffic heading to the metropolis, the MR's focus was towards Derby, therefore the down line was Derby to Birmingham. Tamworth's importance as an exchange station saw some 2000 bags of mail being handled each night during the 1950s which necessitated many trains stopping at both stations with Powell Hendry et al reporting some 18 being provided by the LMS in each direction alone on the Midland line.

Tamworth Low Level Station (42) Tamworth High Level (28) Report on 1870 Irish Mail Accident

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

Illustrated News lithograph view of the original 1847 Livock designed station showing an early LNWR 2-2-0 arriving at Tamworth
Ref: lnwr_tam1239
Illustrated News
View of the original 1847 Livock designed station showing an early LNWR 2-2-0 arriving at Tamworth
External view of Tamworth Low Level station with the connecting corridor to the High Level station seen on the right
Ref: lnwr_tam1255
Lens of Sutton
View of the main station building with the connecting corridor to the High Level station seen on the right
Looking north towards Stafford from the High Level station with Tamworth's replacement up platform on the right
Ref: lnwr_tam1744
Preston-Hendry
Looking towards Stafford from the High Level station with Tamworth's replacement up platform on the right
Close up showing a goods train at exchange sidings after traversing the connecting line from Tamworth High level
Ref: lnwr_tam1744a
Preston-Hendry
Close up showing a goods train at exchange sidings after traversing the connecting line from Tamworth High level

Close up showing the station buildings on Tamworth's up platform which was well equipped with passenger facilities
Ref: lnwr_tam1744b
Preston-Hendry
Close up showing Tamworth's buildings on up platform which was well equipped with passenger facilities
View of the station master's house at Tamworth station which also included an annex providing other railway staff with accommodation
Ref: lnwr_tam1743
RS Carpenter
Station master's house at Tamworth which also included an accommodation annex for other railway staff
View of Tamworth Low Level station during the early demolition work with the High Level station seen on the left
Ref: lnwr_tam1257
Anon
View of Tamworth Low Level station during the early demolition work with the High Level station seen on the left
Close up showing the platform side of Livock's main station building and an assortment of  trollies with both parcels and mail bags
Ref: lnwr_tam1257a
Anon
Close up showing the platform side of Livock's building and an assortment of trollies with both parcels and mail bags

Close up showing the extension to the down platform building which was built in a much more simple architectural style
Ref: lnwr_tam1257b
Anon
Close up of the extension on the down platform which was built in a much more simple architectural style
Looking towards Nuneaton and the disused Tamworth No 1 signal box from above the down slow line on 2nd June 1962
Ref: lnwr_tam2362
DJ Norton
Looking to Nuneaton and the disused Tamworth No 1 signal box from above the down slow line on 2nd June 1962
Close up showing Tamworth No 2 signal box and the rail entrance leading to the goods yard and shed
Ref: lnwr_tam2346a
RS Carpenter
Close up showing Tamworth No 2 signal box and the rail entrance leading to the goods yard and shed
Close up showing some of the former MR High Level station's structures as viewed from the ex-LNWR station
Ref: lnwr_tam2353a
DJ Norton
Close up showing some of the former MR High Level station's structures as viewed from the ex-LNWR station

An aerial view of Tamworth High Level and Low Level stations and the connecting line between the two
Ref: mrthl1112
Tamworth Castle Museum
An aerial view of Tamworth High Level and Low Level stations and the connecting line between the two
View of the layout of Tamworth's High Level Midland station and the LNWR's Low Level stations including connecting spur
Ref: lnwr_tam1745
Powell-Hendry
Layout of Tamworth's High Level Midland station and the LNWR's Low Level stations including connecting spur
LNWR 5XP 4-6-0 Claughton class No 2305 'Private E Sykes VC' stands at the up platform at the head of a semi-fast express to Euston
Ref: lnwr_tam1241
RS Carpenter
LNWR 5XP 4-6-0 No 2305 'Private E Sykes VC' stands at the head of a semi-fast express to Euston
LNWR 4-6-0 Experiment class No 2627 'President Lincoln' is seen at the head of the 10 05 am Euston to Perth express as it passes a line of Tamworth Colliery wagons
Ref: lnwr_tam1244
RS Carpenter
LNWR 4-6-0 Experiment Class No 2627 'President Lincoln' approaches Tamworth on the 10:05 am express to Perth

LNWR 2F 0-6-0 'Cauliflower' class No 1235 is seen passing Tamworth's distinctive Pump House on a down local passenger train
Ref: lnwr_tam1250
HL Salmon
LNWR 2F 0-6-0 'Cauliflower' class No 1235 passing Tamworth's Pump House on a down local passenger train
LNWR 3P 4-4-0 George Fifth class No 82 'Charles Dickens' is seen standing at Tamworth's up platform at the head of an express service
Ref: lnwr_tam1256
RS Carpenter
LNWR 3P 4-4-0 George Fifth class No 82 'Charles Dickens' stands at the up platform at the head of an express
Great Northern Railway 4-4-2 No 1449 is seen passing Tamworth's Pump House at the head of the 10 am Euston to Glasgow express service
Ref: lnwr_tam1251
CB Harley
GNR 4-4-2 No 1449 passes Tamworth's Pump House at the head of the 10 am Euston to Glasgow express service
LNWR 1P 2-4-0 Precedent class No 1672 'Talavera' is seen standing at the up platform on a Stafford to Rugby local passenger service
Ref: lnwr_tam1245
RS Carpenter
LNWR 1P 2-4-0 No 1672 'Talavera' stands at the up platform on a Stafford to Rugby local passenger service

LNWR 1P 2-4-0 Precedent class No 1519 'Duchess' is seen standing light engine near Tamworth good's yard circa 1924
Ref: lnwr_tam1246
RS Carpenter
LNWR 1P 2-4-0 Precedent class No 1519 'Duchess' is seen standing light engine near Tamworth good's yard
LNWR 2-4-0 Improved Precedent No 1676 'The Nile' is seen standing at the up platform on a up semi-fast express service circa 1901
Ref: lnwr_tam1261
LGRP
LNWR 2-4-0 No 1676 'The Nile' is seen standing at the up platform on a up semi-fast express service circa 1901
LNWR 2F 0-6-0 'Cauliflower' class No 143 is seen standing in the yard in Tamworth's goods yard as the fireman opens the tool box
Ref: lnwr_tam1248
RS Carpenter
LNWR 2F 0-6-0 No 143 is seen standing in the yard in Tamworth's goods yard as the fireman opens the tool box
LNWR 1P 2-4-0 Precedent class No 381 'Patterdale' is seen waiting for the off whilst at the head of a Stafford to Rugby local passenger service
Ref: lnwr_tam1249
RS Carpenter
LNWR 1P 2-4-0 Precedent class No 381 'Patterdale' at the head of a Stafford to Rugby local passenger service

LNWR 4-4-0 Alfred the Great class No 1956 'Illustrious'  is seen on a down mixed goods train with cattle trucks immediately behind the tender
Ref: lnwr_tam1243
RS Carpenter
LNWR 4-4-0 Benbow class No 1956 'Illustrious' on a down through goods train with cattle trucks behind the tender
LNWR 2P 4-6-0 Experiment class No 1455 'Herefordshire' is seen double-heading LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class No 268 approaching Tamworth station
Ref: lnwr_tam1237
RS Carpenter
LNWR 2P 4-6-0 Experiment class No 1455 'Herefordshire' double-heads LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class No 268
Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a class No 9278 is seen on the fast line at the head of an express mixed goods train approaching Tamworth in August 1929
Ref: lnwr_tam1252
WL Good
Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a class No 9278 is seen on the fast line at the head of an express mixed goods train
LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a class No 2034 is seen on the fast line at the head of a train of empty wagons as it approaches Tamworth
Ref: lnwr_tam1253
RS Carpenter
LNWR 7F 0-8-0 No 2034 is seen on the fast line at the head of a train of empty wagons near Tamworth

A pair of unidentified LNWR 2-2-2-0 Webb Compound locomotives are seen at the head of an up express service as the train enters Tamworth station
Ref: lnwr_tam1258
RS Carpenter
A pair of unidentified LNWR 2-2-2-0 Webb Compound locomotives are seen at the head of an up express service
LNWR 2P 4-4-0 Renown class No 1946 'Diadem' is seen approaching Tamworth station at the head of a local Rugby to Stafford passenger service
Ref: lnwr_tam1259
Anon
LNWR 2P 4-4-0 Renown class No 1946 'Diadem' approaches Tamworth station at the head of a local service Stafford
Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a class No 9276 is seen on the slow line at the head of an express goods with unfitted stock as it approaches Tamworth circa 1929
Ref: lnwr_tam1254
WL Good
Ex-LNWR 7F 0-8-0 G2a class No 9276 on an unfitted express goods approaching Tamworth circa 1929
Ex-LNWR 4P 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class locomotive No 25627 'Lewis Carrol' is seen approaching Tamworth station at the head of a down parcels train
Ref: lnwr_tam1260
RS Carpenter
Ex-LNWR 4P 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class No 25627 'Lewis Carrol' approaches Tamworth at the head of a parcels train

LNWR 4-6-0 Claughton class No 163 'Holland Hibbert' is seen standing at Tamworth station at the head of a down express train
Ref: lnwr_tam1242
RS Carpenter
LNWR 4-6-0 Claughton class No 163 'Holland Hibbert' standing at Tamworth at the head of a down express train
LNWR 4-6-0 Compound No 170, a member of the 1400 class nicknamed Bill Baileys, is seen standing along side Tamworth's Pump House
Ref: lnwr_tam1262
Anon
LNWR 4-6-0 Compound No 170, a member of the 1400 class is seen standing along side Tamworth's Pump House
Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class No 5859 double-heads an unidentified classmate on a down express service as it proceeeds through Tamworth station
Ref: lnwr_tam1264
Real Photos
Ex-LNWR 4-6-0 Prince of Wales class No 5859 double-heads an unidentified classmate on a down express
Ex-LNWR 4-4-0 Precursor class No 5308 'Simmon' is seen waiting for the off at Tamworth on an up express service to Euston
Ref: lnwr_tam1748
M Bentley
Ex-LNWR 4-4-0 Precursor class No 5308 'Simmon' waits for the off at Tamworth on an up express service to Euston

An unidentified LNWR 4-6-0 Claughton class locomotive is seen travelling at speed through Tamworth station on a down express
Ref: lnwr_tam1270
Real Photos
An unidentified LNWR 4-6-0 Claughton class locomotive is seen travelling at speed through Tamworth station
LNWR 2-8-0 Class E No 2558, with fireman acting as lookout, is seen running tender first near Tamworth on a long train of coal wagons
Ref: lnwr_tam1238
WL Good
LNWR 2-8-0 Class E No 2558 is seen running tender first near Tamworth on a long train of coal wagons
LNWR 2P 4-6-0 Experiment class No 1991 'Palmerston' is seen approaching Tamworth with a local Rugby to Stafford service
Ref: lnwr_tam1247
RS Carpenter
LNWR 2P 4-6-0 Experiment class No 1991 'Palmerston' approaching Tamworth with a local Rugby to Stafford service
LNWR 4P Prince of Wales Class 4-6-0 No 145 passes through Tamworth on a down  Euston to Carlisle express
Ref: lnwr_tam2360
LGRP
LNWR 4P Prince of Wales Class 4-6-0 No 145 passes through Tamworth on a down Euston to Carlisle express

Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 Patriot class No 45533 'Lord Rathmore', with steam blowing hard from its safety valves, is seen ready for the off
Ref: lnwr_tam1741
B Bill
Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45533 'Lord Rathmore' is ready for the off with steam blowing hard from its safety valves
Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48134 is seen passing under the bridge carrying the former MR Derby to Birmingham line
Ref: lnwr_tam2103
CA Clayson
Ex-LMS 2-8-0 8F No 48134 passes under the former MR Derby to Birmingham line on 8th September 1960
An unidentified LMS Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive leaving Tamworth on an up express service on 11th June 1935
Ref: lnwr_tam2345
RS Carpenter
An unidentified LMS Class 5 4-6-0 locomotive leaving Tamworth on an up express service on 11th June 1935
Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 Jubilee class No 45638 'Zanzibar' is seen standing at Tamworth Low Level's up platform with an express service for Euston
Ref: lnwr_tam1740
B Bill
Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45638 'Zanzibar' stands at Tamworth Low Level's up platform with an express service for Euston

Ex-LMS Princess Coronation Class 8P 4-6-2 No 46234 'Duchess of Abercorn' passes the water tower at the head of 'The Caledonian'
Ref: lnwr_tam2106
CA Clayson
Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 No 46234 'Duchess of Abercorn' passes the water tower at the head of 'The Caledonian'
Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 44910 passes Tamworth's Pump House on an up express freight on 16th April 1949
Ref: lnwr_tam2354
DJ Norton
Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 44910 passes Tamworth's Pump House on an up express freight on 16th April 1949
Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45032 stands at Tamworth Low Level station waiting to take forward an express service to Euston
Ref: lnwr_tam1742
B Bill
Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45032 stands at Tamworth Low Level station waiting to take forward an express service to Euston
Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 is seen at the head of a down coal train as it approaches Tamworth Low Level station on 22nd August 1965
Ref: lnwr_tam2361
W Wright
Ex-LMS 8F 2-8-0 No 48681 at the head of a down coal train approaching Tamworth station on 22nd August 1965

Ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0 No 40552 passes Tamworth No 2 signal box on a down train during the mid-1950s
Ref: lnwr_tam2346
RS Carpenter
Ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0 No 40552 passes Tamworth No 2 signal box on a down train during the mid-1950s
Ex-War Department 2-8-0 No 90512 is seen being re-railed adjacent to Tamworth No 2 signal box on 28th April 1951
Ref: lnwr_tam2347
HC Casserley
Ex-WD 2-8-0 No 90512 is seen being re-railed adjacent to Tamworth No 2 signal box on 28th April 1951
Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45510 pilots ex-LMS 7P 4-6-0 No 46100 'Royal Scot' on an up express near Tamworth
Ref: lnwr_tam2348
RS Carpenter
Ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45510 pilots ex-LMS 7P 4-6-0 No 46100 'Royal Scot' on an up express near Tamworth
Ex-LMS 6P 4-6-0 No 45523 'Bangor' storms through Tamworth station on an up express service
Ref: lnwr_tam2349
RS Carpenter
Ex-LMS 6P 4-6-0 No 45523 'Bangor' storms through Tamworth station on an up express service

Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-0 No 46135 'The East Lancashire Regiment' thunders through Tamworth on a down express on 16th April 1949
Ref: lnwr_tam2364
DJ Norton
Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-0 No 46135 'The East Lancashire Regiment' thunders through Tamworth on a down express
An unknown Class 24 Diesel locomotive pilots ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45689 'Ajax' during the early 1960s
Ref: lnwr_tam2351
J Neave
An unknown Class 24 Diesel locomotive pilots ex-LMS 5XP 4-6-0 No 45689 'Ajax' during the early 1960s
Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 No 46249 'City of Sheffield' storms past on the fast down line at the head of the Mid-day Scot
Ref: lnwr_tam2352
R Conway
Ex-LMS 8P 4-6-2 No 46249 'City of Sheffield' storms past on the fast down line at the head of the Mid-day Scot
Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-2 No 46203 'Princess Margaret Rose' passes on the up fast line at the head an Euston express
Ref: lnwr_tam2353
DJ Norton
Ex-LMS 7P 4-6-2 No 46203 'Princess Margaret Rose' passes on the up fast line at the head an Euston express

Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45380 on a down Trent Valley local service passeing Tamworth Pumping station
Ref: lnwr_tam2359
W Wright
Ex-LMS 5MT 4-6-0 No 45380 on a down Trent Valley local service passeing Tamworth Pumping station
British Railways built Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0 No 43003 runs tender first on a Trent Valley local passenger service
Ref: lnwr_tam2356
W Wright
British Railways built Ivatt Class 4MT 2-6-0 No 43003 runs tender first on a Trent Valley local passenger service
Ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0 No 40659 passes Tamworth No 1 signal box on the 4:39pm Nuneaton to Lichfield local passenger service
Ref: lnwr_tam2357
W Wright
Ex-LMS 2P 4-4-0 No 40659 passes Tamworth No 1 signal box on the 4:39pm Nuneaton to Lichfield local service
Ex-LMS rebuilt Patriot Class 4-6-0 No 45521 'Rhyl' leaves Tamworth on an up express on 12th February 1957
Ref: lnwr_tam2363
J Payne
Ex-LMS rebuilt Patriot Class 4-6-0 No 45521 'Rhyl' leaves Tamworth on an up express on 12th February 1957

Tamworth Low Level Station (42) Tamworth High Level (28) Report on 1870 Irish Mail Accident