GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Handsworth Junction and The Hawthorns Halt

Handsworth Junction

Ref: gwrhs1943 J Alsop GWR 645 Class 0-6-0ST No 766 on the down fast line at head of a goods service to Wolverhampton

Ref: gwrhs1944 J Alsop GWR 2-6-2T No 3138 on a local service from Snow Hill to Stourbridge consisting of six-wheel coaching stock

Ref: gwrhs1945 J Alsop GWR 4-4-0 No 3531 heads a local down service to Stourbridge comprised of four-wheel coaching stock

Ref: gwrhs1946 J Alsop GWR 2-4-2T No 3624 is seen on an up Stourbridge to Snow Hill service comprising four-wheel coaching stock

Ref: - gwrhs1592 L&GRP GWR 4-4-0 No 3809 'County Wexford' on an up West of England service passing Handsworth Junction

Ref: gwrhs1591 Anon An unidentified GWR 0-6-0 Goods passes Handsworth Junction Signal Box whilst at the head of long goods train

Ref: gwrhs1947 J Alsop GWR 2-6-2T No 3909 is seen with an up empty stock working comprising of six-wheel coaches

Ref: gwrhs1948 J Alsop GWR 2-6-0 No 4312 is seen passing Handsworth Junction on the up fast at the head of a long goods train

Ref: gwrhs1949 J Alsop GWR 2-6-2T No 4559 is seen on the down fast passing Handsworth Junction with six-wheeled coaching stock

Re: gwrhs1590 Ian Allen Library GWR Star class 4-6-0 'King Henry' No 4027 is seen on an up Birkenhead express service at Handsworth Junction

The Hawthorns Halt

The Hawthorns Halt was only for football fans. It opened on Christmas Day Friday 25th December 1931, for a local derby between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City (score 0 - 1), and closed on 27th April 1968. All the public timetables of the Birmingham to Dudley (via Swan Village) service contain the following footnote* 'The Hawthorns' Halt situate between Handsworth and Smethwick and West Bromwich is opened when Football Matches are being played on the West Bromwich Albion Football Ground which is adjacent. See local announcements.'.

The opening of the new Halt featured in the February 1932 edition of the GWR Magazine

The enterprise of the Great Western Railway in constructing a new halt at 'The Hawthorns' for the convenience of West Bromwich Albion football supporters has received general commendation. The halt which consists of three platforms, was completed on December 24, in readiness for the 'local Derby' on Christmas morning between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham. The Mayors of West Bromwich and Smethwick, together with aldermen and civic officers, and the directors and principal officials of the West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham teams, were present to witness the arrival of the first train at the new halt, the engine of which broke a tape consisting of the club colours of the two teams concerned.

Robert Ferris

Ref: gwrhs3172 GWR Magazine The Mayors, aldermen and civic officers and directors of the two teams shake hands with the driver of the train

Ref: gwrhs3173 GWR Magazine The GWR 2-6-2T locomotive arrives at the new Halt breaking a tape consisting of the two teams club colours

Ref: gwrhs3174 British Railways A British Railways Handbill dated August 1963 advertising the special fares available only on match days

Ordnance Survey Maps and Signal Diagram

Ref: gwrhs3169 National Library of Scotland A 1913 25 inches to the mile Ordnance Survey Map of Handsworth Junction showing its then rural setting

Ref: gwrhs3170 National Library of Scotland A 1937 25 inches to the mile OS Map of Handsworth Junction showing a Halt on the Wolverhampton line

Ref: gwrhs3171 KRM A 1950s copy of Handsworth Junction Signal Box's diagram showing the track layout and locations of signals