Whilst having a mooch round the net the other day, I visited the excellent site curated by Dave Cresswell and Rob Taylor, dedicated to the past, present and future of the South Staffordshire railway line that used to run from Walsall, through Ryecroft, Pelsall and Brownhills, onwards to Lichfield. The South Staffordshire Rail Group are a very passionate, enthusiastic band of campaigners and enthusiasts, dedicated to reviving the much-missed line, torn up in the early eighties. This is a cause I fully support, and I have covered their fascinating work here before.
South Staffordshire Rail Group have on their site a wealth of media, from videos to recollections of the line in use, to some fantastic photos; it is those I sample today, in particular, the wonderful images of Norton Junction. Stood near the dangerous accident blackspot High Bridges, on the Pelsall Road, I remember the sidings being all but abandoned, filled with decaying wagons and a vandalised signalbox. To a geeky, technically minded kid, it was heaven, with the added bonus that occasionally you’d get to see a goods train rumble by on the main line. I think most Brownhills kids spent time here at some point. It’s now just a field; the hated road bridge, now rebuilt, just spans the adjacent canal. Some adjacent newbuild housing has been constructed at the south end of the former yard.
Please do take time to explore the site, and join the group on Facebook. It would be wonderful to see the return of trains to Brownhills. I thank Dave and Rob for their fascinating and important work.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction’ gallery.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction’ gallery.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction’ gallery.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction signalbox’ gallery.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction signalbox’ gallery.
I didn’t realise the sidings were lifted as early as 1983. Note here that the author refers to them as ‘Ryders Hayes Junction’ rather than by their correct name. I was sad when it went, I loved messing around here. From ‘Around Pelsall and Brownhills’ by David F. Vodden.
Image taken from South Staffordshire Rail Group’s ‘Norton Junction’ gallery.
RSS - Posts
i have enjoyed looking at the site but does anyone have knowledge of the cottages adjacent to the bridge in pelsall lane. i was born there in 1948 and i have history suggesting that my family may have been employed in the construction of the railway as far as 1886 i am aware that possibly my grandmother lived in the cottages and the agent on an old rent book was named Huges from heath End. the cottages were demolished in abouti1954 and i am trying to get any photograph of them possible taken during the construction of the railway and the bridge next to it.
anyone who can help i will provide a contact number
thankyou
Pingback: Train of thought | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: The wind blew up the Watling Street | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: Streets ahead | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
Pingback: A desperate attempt to stave-off bankruptcy | BrownhillsBob's Brownhills Blog
The photo with the crossing keeper sign shows Ryder Hayes cottage Ryder Hayes lane pelsall where the crossing keeper lived. I was born there I 1949. And lived there for ten years . it was surrounded by nothing but fields ,the nearest neighbour being harry Rowe’s farm ( far end of the present lake) .the cottage site is now occupied by three detached houses
I lived there from when I was born in 1960, my mom was the crossing keeper till it closed down