LMS Route: Birmingham West Suburban Railway

Five Ways Station: mrf933

Looking along the double track main line to Kings Norton with the single line on the left for Central Goods in 1955. On the left in the deep cutting is the flat roofed structure which stood on the down platform of Five Ways station as can be seen (see image 'mrf473'). The water crane is protected by a 'fire devil' which provided warmth in winter to prevent the water crane from freezing. There is also has a gas lit lamp post to its right as this part of the line would have very little light from surrounding buildings. The small timber structure just past the lamp post appears to be a box containing sand, no doubt to be used by locomotive crews and guards to replenish their stocks should there be a need. The line to Central Goods was a falling gradient which combined with the damp created within the tunnel could cause slipping to occur.

back