The Branch Lines of Worcestershire

The branch lines of Worcestershire are especially interesting because of their variety, ranging from parts of the Severn Valley Railway, one of the country s largest preserved main lines, to former main lines, down to lines which have always been branches. Many are now closed, yet several are still active and may be enjoyed by today s traveller. Although most branches were steam-worked until the 1960s when diesel power took over, one branch was cable-worked in its early days. Some of the lines were worked by steam rail motors a coach and locomotive combined in the same vehicle. The Stourbridge Town branch was one of the last haunts of the GWR rail motors and less than six months after it ceased to use the line, early diesel railcars took over working the same branch. One branch has even been electrified that from Barnet Green to Redditch. Most of the stations still open have been modernised, but a few retain their nineteenth-century buildings, while the preserved Severn Valley Railway has erected a terminus at Kidderminster in the GWR style of 1890. Other celebrated structures include the timbered viaducts, as well as others in stone, brick or steel. In addition to describing the traffic on each branch line and its history, well-known railway historian Colin G. Maggs tells of some of the mishaps which occurred on the Old Worse and Worse , the aptly nicknamed Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway. Illustrated with over 180 photographs this book will appeal to railway enthusiasts and local historians alike.