RAILWAYS of the WEST MIDLANDS A Chronology 1954 – 2017 Compiled by Robert Darlaston from the sources listed on last page Introduction In the 1950s railway history books were few and far between, so when the Stephenson Locomotive Society published Mr C.R. Clinker’s Railways of the West Midlands: a Chronology 1808-1954 it was widely welcomed and has remained a useful source of information ever since. More than sixty years have now passed in which the railway scene has changed significantly thus encouraging the writer to attempt an update of Clinker’s work. For convenience, the chronology is broken into three parts: 1954-1974, 1975-1993 and 1994-2017, covering three distinct periods in railway history. In 1954 the railways of Britain would have been immediately recognisable had any of the pioneers, say Robert Stephenson of the London & Birmingham or Joseph Locke of the Grand Junction, been reincarnated. Motive power, stations, signalling and the whole structure had evolved gently and seamlessly for more than a century. But the toll of the war years from 1939-45 and the gradual drift of rail traffic to motorised road transport had left a system that was rundown, barely profitable and less than wholly popular with its customers. Nationalisation, which might have presented an opportunity for real change, initially resulted merely in administrative upheavals and a wasted search for standardisation. In 1955 came the government-sponsored Modernisation Plan which promised an era of improvement, but, alas, the money was too late and not always wisely spent. Operational losses spiralled out of control. Thus after only eight years came the Reshaping (“Beeching”) Plan which aimed to eliminate loss-making services and to develop the profitable core of the system. This resulted in a significant shrinking of the network, sometimes carried out too hastily without thought to future requirements. Part One of this Chronology covers these dramatic years of Modernisation and Reshaping. In the late 1960s it became evident that reshaping the network would not necessarily result in a profitable railway and the Transport Act 1968 was passed which for the first time accepted the principal of subsidising loss-making services deemed to be socially important. It was a few years before the benefits of the Act became evident, but from 1974 the railway system entered a period of greater stability with some lines and stations being re-opened, although the search for a reduction in subsidy meant that the threat of major cuts still remained. Part Two of this Chronology covers these years, during which the regional legacy of the pre-nationalisation companies gave way to business-led management by sectors dedicated to specific aspects of the railway’s operations. In the early 1990s the railway system was still incurring substantial losses and the government decided to privatise the network in an endeavour to relieve the government of some of the financial burden. Part Three covers the privatisation era from 1994 as management and operations were devolved to the private sector bringing in new attitudes which were to see significant growth in custom and development of services. The area covered by this chronology follows the precedent of Clinker’s work, that is a somewhat eccentric region bounded by Stafford, the Trent Valley line, Rugby, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Alcester, Bromsgrove, Stourbridge Junction, and Wolverhampton (although Clinker curiously omitted reference to intermediate points on the Oxley – Kingswinford Jc line and his omission of the Stourbridge Jc – Kidderminster section also seems somewhat arbitrary). I am indebted to Richard Maund who suggested a number of points of reference for gathering the information contained in this Chronology. Sources are indicated by references after each entry, referring to a list at the end of each part. The Chronology as set out and any errors therein are my responsibility. If anyone notices an error or an omission, I shall be grateful to hear from them. I may be contacted at robertdarlaston[at]btinternet.com (replacing [at] with @ ).
		Part One: Modernisation and Reshaping; 1954 – 1974 The two other parts of this Chronology may be found at: RAILWAYS of W. MIDLANDS pt 2.htm RAILWAYS of W. MIDLANDS pt 3.htm
		1954 (From April)	Next reference
Sep 20	W.R.	Regular interval local services introduced on W.R. Birmingham suburban lines, all steam-operated (except for the Dudley service). Contemporary B.R. handbills listed the following services: 1. Wolverhampton - Knowle & Dorridge; 2. Leamington Spa - Birmingham (Moor St.); 3. Dudley - Birmingham (Snow Hill); 4. Stourbridge Junc - Birmingham (Snow Hill); 5. Henley in Arden - Birmingham (Moor St.); 6. Leamington Spa - Stratford-upon-Avon; 7. Leamington Spa – Birmingham (S.H.) – Wolverhampton (additional fast trains); 8. Stratford-upon-Avon - Birmingham (Snow Hill) (semi-fast trains). [BR]	1957
Sep 20	W.R.	Sleeping Car service Paddington – Birmingham (Snow Hill) – Birkenhead (Woodside) via Oxford introduced. (The up train called at Snow Hill 12.32 – 1.00 am and was quite popular as it was not necessary for sleeping cars to be vacated at Paddington until 7.30, but the down train (12.5 am from Paddington) called at Snow Hill 3.53 – 4.3 am and was used less by Birmingham passengers). [BR]	1967
		1955
Jan 23	L.M.R.	Diverted York-Bristol express derailed at Sutton Coldfield with loss of seventeen lives. Caused by driver error in failing to observe speed restriction. [HMSO]
Jan 25	B.T.C.	£1,240m Railway Modernisation Plan announced by H.M. Government. This envisaged, inter alia, electrification of the main line out of Euston and of most former L.N.W.R. lines in the West Midlands, with diesel traction on all other services in the area. Signalling was to be renewed and principal stations rebuilt. Note: the Plan had an official publication date of 1954, but details were not released to the public until January 1955. [RM]
May 2	L.M.R.	Hourly steam operated push-pull service Birmingham New Street – Sutton Coldfield introduced (extended to Four Oaks in July). [TI]	1956
May 2	L.M.R.	The first diesel multiple unit trains to enter service in the West Midlands appeared from May 2 – 13, operating a special service from Birmingham New Street to the British Industries Fair at Castle Bromwich (The d.m.u.s were subsequently despatched for local service in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.) [RM]	1956
May 29	B.R.	Commencement of strike by ASLEF which continued until 14th June. [RM] The strike has been widely regarded as contributing significantly to the substantial transfer of freight from rail to road transport in subsequent years.
		1956
Mar 5	L.M.R.	Diesel multiple unit service introduced New Street – Lichfield on regular interval pattern, replacing an experimental steam push-and-pull service between New Street and Four Oaks introduced in 1955. Claimed resultant increase in traffic of 256%. D.m.u.s were subsequently phased into other L.M.R. (Western Division) local services as and when new units became available. [TI, RM]
March	L.M.R.	Vauxhall & Duddeston station rebuilt. [RM]	1963 1974
Oct 17	W.R.	Smethwick Junction station renamed Smethwick West. [Q]	1996
		1957
Jun 17	W.R.	Diesel multiple unit trains introduced on new and accelerated services between Snow Hill and South Wales via Gloucester. D.m.u.s also entered service on W.R. Birmingham suburban services. Services to South Wales via Hereford gained d.m.u.s a year later. [RM]
June	W.R.	New d.m.u. depot opened at Tyseley alongside existing steam depot. (Extended in 1964 to include full workshop facilities.) [RoW]
Sep 16	L.M.R.	Winson Green closed P. [Q]
Sep 30	L.M.R.	Butlers Lane opened P (described as “temporary station”) [Q]	1991
		1958
Jan	W.R.	Hockley Basin closed G. [C]
Feb 3	L.M.R.	Colwich closed P and G. [C]
Apr 14	L.M.R.	First regular d.m.u. service introduced on ex-Midland lines in district, with interval service to Leicester. [RM]	1960
June 1	L.M.R.	Car-sleeper service (branded “Motorail” from 1967) introduced for the summer season between Sutton Coldfield and Stirling, initially running twice weekly. In later years the frequency was increased and Inverness, Newton Abbot and St Austell were added to the destinations served. The trains used the terminal platform at Sutton Coldfield which had seen little regular use after extension of the line to Lichfield in 1884.	1972
June	L.M.R.	Ryecroft (Walsall) loco depot closed to steam. [B]	1965
Sep 1	W.R.	Unadvertised workmen’s service Old Hill – Longbridge withdrawn and the following stations closed P: Halesowen Hunnington (Last trains ran Friday 29th August) [Q]	1968 1964
Sep 15	L.M.R.	Leamington – Weedon passenger service withdrawn. [Q] Through services between New Street and Napton & Stockton curtailed to Leamington Avenue. [PT]	1965
Nov 17	L.M.R.	Monument Lane closed P. [Q]	1968
Nov 17	L.M.R.	Pleck closed P. [Q]
Nov 17	L.M.R.	Chester Road coal wharf closed. [C] (Official date: rail deliveries ceased in March 1956 on introduction of interval d.m.u. service as line occupation of the section between Erdington and Sutton Coldfield did not allow time for handling wagons at Chester Road. [WT]
		1959
Apr 6	L.M.R.	Brindley Heath closed P. [Q]
Jun 15	L.M.R.	Passenger service Rugby – Leamington Avenue withdrawn and the following stations closed P: Marton Birdingbury Dunchurch [Q]	1966
Jun 15	L.M.R.	Four Ashes closed P. [Q]	1965
Jul 1	W.R.	Last use of curve between Bearley station and Bearley North Junction (Stephenson Locomotive Society railtour).	1960
Oct 5	L.M.R.	Wednesbury Town closed G, but public siding retained at Mesty Croft. [C]	1964
Nov 2	L.M.R./ W.R.	Principal L.M.R. express services between Euston, Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton H.L. withdrawn to permit engineering work for electrification of line. Enhanced main line service (generally at hourly intervals SuX) provided by W.R. from Paddington to Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton L.L. in lieu. [PT]	1967
Nov 2		M1 motorway opened between Watford and Rugby with a link (M45) to Coventry. [AA] (The direct M6 link to Birmingham was completed in November 1971.) Immediately following the opening of the M1 a non-stop express motor coach service was introduced between Birmingham and London by the Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company ("the Midland Red"). Coinciding with the withdrawal of Euston – Birmingham express services, it was widely expected that railway passenger loadings would be severely affected, but this proved not to be the case as the motorway and coach services developed new markets.
		1960
Jan 4	L.M.R.	Unadvertised workmen’s service New Street – Longbridge withdrawn and Longbridge closed P. [Q] (Last train ran Friday 1st January.)	1978
Feb 1	L.M.R.	Albion closed P. [Q]	1964
Feb 14	L.M.R.	Bournville loco depot closed. [RoW]
Mar 7	L.M.R.	Milford & Brocton closed G. [Q]
Mar 7	L.M.R.	Binton and Bidford closed G. [C]	1960
Apr 11	L.M.R.	Stockingford closed G. [C]	1968
Apr 25	L.M.R.	Hourly regular interval passenger service Birmingham New Street – Redditch introduced, operated by dmus.	1965
Jun 13	L.M.R.	Armitage closed P. [Q]	1969
Jun 13	W.R.	New connection opened, Stratford-upon-Avon Old Town – Stratford-upon-Avon New Junction (on Honeybourne line), primarily for use by iron ore trains from Banbury to South Wales. Stratford-upon-Avon Old Town – Broom Junctions abandoned. [BR]	1965
Aug 28	W.R.	Bearley North Junction - Bearley East Junction down connection taken out of use. (Up connection remained available until 8/1/61). (Last recorded use was Royal Train stabled on 23/10/1959).
Sep 11	W.R.	New power signalling installation inaugurated at Birmingham Snow Hill. North and South signal boxes closed. [RM]	1972
Sep12	W.R.	Diesel Multiple Unit “Blue Pullman” service introduced Wolverhampton L.L. – Birmingham Snow Hill – Paddington. Two return trips daily SX from Snow Hill, one in 1hr 55 min and one in 2hr 5 min. [RM]	1962
Sep 12	L.M.R.	Brandon & Wolston closed P. [Q]	1964
Nov 7	L.M.R.	Arley & Fillongley closed P. [Q]	1965
Nov	W.R.	Swan Village station rebuilt.	1972
		1961
Jul 2	LMR/WR	Connection Leamington Spa General – Leamington South Junction removed. [BLS list]	1966
Jul 24	L.M.R.	Shustoke closed G [C]	1968
		1962
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Passenger service Rugby Midland – Leicester withdrawn. Rugby – Wigston South closed to all traffic. [Q, RM]
Feb 12	L.M.R.	Monument Lane loco shed closed to steam. [SLS]	1967
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Collision at Stechford between New Street to Coventry dmu and up freight train leaving the Aston line. One passenger injured. [BP]	1967
Apr 15	L.M.R.	Coventry power signal box commissioned. [RCTS-W]	2007
May 1	L.M.R.	Rebuilt passenger station at Coventry officially opened. [RCTS-W]
Jul 20		M5 motorway opened southwards from Lydiate Ash (Rubery). [MA-W] The Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company ("the Midland Red") introduced an express coach service between Birmingham and Worcester. It was not successful and was later withdrawn.
Jul 30	W.R.	Passenger service Wolverhampton L.L. – Stourbridge Junction withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Bilston West Daisy Bank & Bradley Princes End & Coseley Tipton Five Ways Blowers Green Round Oak Brierley Hill Brettell Lane (The line remained available for occasional diversionary use)	1965 1966 1968 1965 1965 1967
Aug 1	B.T.C.	Transport Act 1962 received Royal Assent, providing, inter alia, for restructuring of railway finances, the breakup of the British Transport Commission and the establishment of the British Railways Board. [G-1]	1963
Sep 3	L.M.R.	Walsall Wood closed G. [C]	1965
Sep 10	W.R.	Introduction of accelerated service Paddington – Birmingham Snow Hill and beyond, operated by diesel hydraulic locomotives. The inaugural train reached Birmingham Snow Hill non-stop in 1hr 43min behind D1038 Western Sovereign. [BEM]	1967
Sep 10	W.R./ L.M.R.	Daily through services Birmingham Snow Hill to West of England and South Wales via Stratford-upon-Avon, Winchcombe and Cheltenham Spa (Malvern Road) diverted to run from New Street via Bromsgrove and Cheltenham Spa (Lansdown). Certain trains extended to run to and from Derby and beyond. Twice daily service, Leamington Spa – Gloucester Central via Winchcombe inaugurated. Summer Saturday trains from Snow Hill to West of England also continued to run via Winchcombe. [PT]	1968
Sep 10	L.M.R./ W.R.	The Pines Express, Manchester – Birmingham (New Street) - Bath (Green Park) – Bournemouth (West), diverted to run via Wellington, Birmingham (Snow Hill), Reading and Southampton. Initially routed via Market Drayton, but later via Shrewsbury. [PT]	1967
Sep 17	L.M.R.	Flyover for up Birmingham line brought into use at Rugby. [RM]
Sep 24	L.M.R.	Newly rebuilt station at Tamworth officially opened. [RM] Other stations rebuilt at this time were Perry Barr and Lichfield Trent Valley High Level.
Oct 1	W.R.	Passenger service Redditch – Evesham and freight service Alcester – Evesham (excl) temporarily withdrawn. [Q, C] The following stations closed G:. Broom Junction Salford Priors Harvington (rail-borne traffic ceased, but not officially closed G until 1st July 1963)	1963 1963 1963 1963
Dec 31	W.R.	Henley-in-Arden closed G. [C]
Dec 31	L.M.R.	Stafford station formally opened after rebuilding. [RM]	1963
		1963
Jan 1	B.R.B.	British Railways Board takes over railway business of B.T.C. Principal effect to be greater centralisation of control and greater commercial freedom of operations. [G1]	1992
Jan 1	L.M.R./ W.R.	All Western Region lines northwards from Ardley, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cutnall Green transferred to London Midland Region control, thus eliminating duplication of railway management in Birmingham and the West Midlands and also in North Wales. [RM]	1982
Jan 7	L.M.R.	Electric operation between Crewe and Stafford inaugurated. [RM]	1964
Mar 27	B.R.B.	Report “The Reshaping of British Railways” (generally referred to as "the Beeching Report") published by H.M.S.O., envisaging inter alia development of principal inter-city services, abandonment of lightly used lines and introduction of freightliner operations.	1965
Jun 17	W.R.	Redditch – Evesham closure made permanent and the following stations closed P: [Q] Studley & Astwood Bank Alcester Broom Junction Salford Priors Harvington	1964 1964 1963
Jul 1	L.M.R.	Harvington closed G (official closure: no rail traffic since 1st Oct 1962) [C]
Jul 1	L.M.R.	Rowley Regis closed G. [C]
Aug 15	L.M.R.	Three railwaymen killed when 1.0 pm Snow Hill – Paddington Pullman train collided with a shunting movement at Knowle & Dorridge; caused by a signalling irregularity. The usual Blue Pullman diesel train had been replaced by a train comprising engine and carriages. [HMSO]
Sept	LMR.	Preliminary work commenced on rebuilding Birmingham New Street. First work undertaken was to join bay platforms 1 and 2 to 1A and 2A to provide additional through platforms.	1964
Sept	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton Stafford Road loco shed (ex-GWR) closed.
Sept 15	L.M.R.	Nuneaton Trent Valley – Abbey Junction re-opened P. (Sundays only). [SLS]	1966
Oct 7	L.M.R.	Coventry Loop line (freight only) abandoned from Gosford Green to Humber Road Junction: subsequently worked as siding from Three Spires Junction. [Chr]	1968
Nov 4	L.M.R.	Harborne Railway abandoned and the following stations closed G: [C] Hagley Road Harborne
Nov 4	L.M.R.	Saltley Wharf closed G. [C]
Nov	L.M.R.	Vauxhall & Duddeston closed G. [C]	1974
Nov 11	L.M.R.	Lapworth, Hatton and Warwick Cape Yard closed G. [C]
Nov 11	L.M.R.	Leamington Spa Milverton closed G. [C]	1965
Nov 11	L.M.R.	Stratford-upon-Avon Old Town (Ex-S.M.J.) closed G. [C]	1965
Nov 11	L.M.R.	Wilmcote closed G. [C]
		1964
Jan 6	L.M.R.	Hunnington closed G and Rubery – Halesowen (both exclusive) abandoned. [C]	1964
Mar 2	L.M.R.	Electric operation inaugurated between Stafford and Nuneaton Trent Valley. [RM]	1964
Mar 2	L.M.R.	Hammerwich closed G. [C]
Apr 6	L.M.R.	Great Bridge South closed G. [C]	1964
Apr 6	L.M.R.	Old Hill closed G. The depot was located at the end of the freight branch from Cradley Heath to Spinner’s End which also closed. [C, CB]	1964
Apr 9	L.M.R.	Formal start of rebuilding of New Street station, beginning with platform 11 of the former Midland Railway station. [P]	1968
Apr 21	L.M.R.	Preliminary announcement by General Manager, L.M.R., at a Birmingham press conference, of intention to close Birmingham Snow Hill and to withdraw services thence to Wolverhampton L.L. and also via the North Warwickshire line to Stratford-upon-Avon. The announcement immediately preceded the inauguration of celebrations for the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's birth, causing much adverse comment.	1968, 1972
May 4	L.M.R.	Spon Lane closed G. [C]	1964
May 4	L.M.R.	Coventry, Whitley Wharf closed G. [C]
June 1	L.M.R.	Castle Bromwich closed G. [C]	1968
June 1	L.M.R.	Great Barr closed G. [C]
June 1	L.M.R.	Danzey closed G. [C]
June 1	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton Stafford Road locomotive works (ex-GWR) closed.
June 15	L.M.R.	Spon Lane and Ettingshall Road & Bilston closed P. [Q]	1965
June 15	L.M.R.	Passenger services Dudley Port High Level – Dudley, Birmingham Snow Hill – Dudley and Old Hill – Dudley withdrawn. The following stations and halts closed P: [Q] Great Bridge South Old Hill High Street Halt Darby End Halt Windmill End Halt Baptist End Halt Dudley (ex-G.W.R. platforms only) All traffic ceased Swan Village – Horsley Fields Jcn, but line retained for diversions [BLN54]	1964 1964 1968
July 6	L.M.R.	Passenger services Dudley – Walsall withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Dudley Dudley Port Low Level Great Bridge North Wednesbury Town	1966 1981 1964
July 6	L.M.R.	Bordesley and Solihull closed G. [C]
July 6	L.M.R.	Earlswood Lakes closed G. [C]
July 6	L.M.R.	Lifford, Northfield and Rubery closed G. [C] Longbridge West to Rubery closed completely. [SLS]
July 6	L.M.R.	Marston Green closed G. [C]
July 6	L.M.R.	Tettenhall, Wombourn and Himley closed G. [C]	1965
July 6	W.R.	Studley & Astwood Bank and Alcester closed G. [C] The line south of Redditch was abandoned.
July 12	L.M.R.	Dudley Port HL – Sedgeley Jc taken out of use.. [SLS]
Aug 10	L.M.R.	The following stations closed G: Erdington Sutton Coldfield (continued to handle coal traffic until 1/5/67) Four Oaks (continued to handle coal traffic until 7/12/64) Short Heath (continued to handle coal traffic until 7/12/64) [C]
Aug 10	L.M.R.	Lye Hayes Lane and associated Hayes Lane branch abandoned. [CB, Chr]
Aug 10	L.M.R.	Albion closed G. [C]
Aug 10	L.M.R.	Brownhills and Pelsall closed G. [C]
Aug 10	L.M.R.	Ex-Midland Railway Wolverhampton – Walsall line severed by motorway construction and Short Heath – Birchills power station abandoned (power station served from Walsall direction). [BLN19/1964]	1964
Sept †	L.M.R.	All Sunday local services operating from Birmingham withdrawn and local stations closed on Sundays except Hampton-in-Arden, Solihull and Knowle & Dorridge which were served by selected Inter-city trains. (Local Sunday services were eventually restored to most lines, starting with the Cross-city line on 14th May 1978 and extending piecemeal to other lines and stations over the next twenty years). [PT]
Sep 7	L.M.R.	Knowle & Dorridge closed G. [C]
Sep 7	L.M.R.	Oldbury (Town, ex-GW) closed G. [C]	1995
Sep 14	L.M.R.	Rugby signal box commissioned, replacing 22 mechanical boxes. [BR]	2008
Nov 2	L.M.R.	Banbury Street and Fazeley Street closed G. [C]
Nov 2	L.M.R.	Smethwick Rolfe Street and Soho Park closed G. [C]
Nov 2	L.M.R.	Stafford Doxey Road (ex-G.N.) closed G. [C]
Nov 30	L.M.R.	Electric operation extended from Nuneaton to Rugby. [RM]	1965
Dec 7	L.M.R.	Aldridge and Sutton Park closed G. [C]	1965
Dec 7	L.M.R.	Four Oaks closed G. [C]
Dec 7	L.M.R.	Short Heath closed G. [C] Line from Willenhall (Mid) to Short Heath abandoned. [SLS]	1965
Dec 7	L.M.R.	Wednesbury Town Mesty Croft closed G. [C]

		1965
Jan 4	L.M.R.	Arley & Fillongley closed G. [C]
Jan 4	L.M.R.	The following stations closed G: Hampton-in-Arden Berkswell & Balsall Common Kenilworth [C]
Jan 18	L.M.R.	Passenger services Leamington Spa Avenue – Coventry – Nuneaton Trent Valley withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Leamington Spa Avenue Leamington Spa Milverton (for Warwick) Kenilworth Coundon Road Daimler Halt Foleshill Hawkesbury Lane Bedworth Chilvers Coton	1972 2004
Jan 18	L.M.R.	Kenilworth – Berkswell line closed P. The remaining service from Leamington Spa Avenue was diverted to run between Coventry and Birmingham New St. [BLN24]	1969
Jan 18	L.M.R.	Passenger services Walsall – Rugeley Trent Valley withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Bloxwich Wyrley & Cheslyn Hay Cannock Hednesford Rugeley Town	1989 1997 1989 1989 1989 1997
Jan 18	L.M.R.	Passenger services Wolverhampton – Walsall – Burton-on-Trent withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Willenhall (Bilston Street) Darlaston Pelsall Brownhills Hammerwich Lichfield Trent Valley High Level Alrewas	1965 1965 1988
Jan 18	L.M.R.	Passenger services Birmingham New Street – Walsall via Penns (ex-Midland Railway) withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Penns Sutton Park Streetley Aldridge	1965
Jan	L.M.R.	Ryecroft (Walsall) diesel depot closed. [B]
Feb	B.R.B.	Report: The Development of the Major Railway Trunk Routes published by British Railways Board, including routes selected for development by 1984. (Often informally referred to as “Beeching, Part 2”).
Feb 1	L.M.R.	Penns closed G. [C]
Mar 1	L.M.R.	Oxley Junctions – Baggeridge Jcn via Wombourn abandoned. [BLN42]	1968
Mar 1	L.M.R.	Adderley Park closed G. [C]
Mar 1	L.M.R.	Hazelwell closed G. [C]
Apr 12	L.M.R.	Corngreaves goods line from Cradley Heath closed. [CB, SLS]
Apr 12	L.M.R.	Bushbury loco depot closed. [B]
Jun 28	L.M.R.	Bromford Bridge racecourse station officially closed P: last use some time earlier (date unknown) [Q]
Jul 5	L.M.R.	Blowers Green, Brettel Lane and Netherton closed G [C] and Windmill End Jc – Netherton goods abandoned [BLN36].	1968
Jul 5	L.M.R.	Aldridge (BICC Siding) - Walsall Wood abandoned. [BLN138]
Jul 5	L.M.R.	Stratford & Midland Junction line, Burton Dassett sidings- Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse Junction, closed G and abandoned. (Burton Dassett served from Fenny Compton). [SLS]
Aug 9	L.M.R.	Proposed withdrawal of Birmingham New Street - Redditch service rejected by Minister of Transport, but hourly local service subsequently reduced to peak periods only. [B.]	1980
Aug 16	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton power signal box commissioned. [BR]
Sep 6	L.M.R.	Ettingshall Road & Bilston closed G. [C]
Sept 20	L.M.R.	Stourbridge Basin and Town Goods closed G. Goods line from Stourbridge Middle Junction abandoned after stock clearance on 30^th Sep. The last revenue earning freight working on the branch had been on 30^th April 1965. [CB, SLS]	1979
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Bilston West closed G. [C]
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Darlaston closed G. [C]
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Tipton Owen Street, Deepfields, and Monmore Green closed G. [C]
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Four Ashes and Bushbury closed G. [C]
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Wednesfield (ex-Midland) and Wednesfield Heath (ex-LNWR) closed G [C]
Oct 4	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton Mill Street closed G. [C]
Oct 11	L.M.R.	Aston loco depot closed. [RoW]
Nov 1	L.M.R.	Willenhall Bilston St (ex-LNWR) and Willenhall Stafford St (ex-Mid) closed G. [C]
Nov 1	L.M.R.	Wednesfield - Willenhall (ex-Midland Rly) abandoned. [BLN120]
Nov 22	L.M.R.	Electric operation inaugurated from Rugby to Euston, including through services via the Trent Valley line. [RM]	1966
Dec 6	L.M.R.	Walsall power signal box commissioned (first stage). [BR]	2013
Dec 12	L.M.R.	Birmingham: up main line between Proof House Junction and Grand Junction diverted to formation of former goods lines, passing under Grand Junction line, thus forming a ‘dive-under’. [SLS]	2000
Dec 31	L.M.R.	Last advertised steam-hauled departure from Snow Hill (6951 on 17.35 to Lapworth) [BP]	1967
Dec 31	British Transport Hotels	Queen’s Hotel, Birmingham, closed and subsequently demolished as part of rebuilding of New Street station.
		1966
Jan 3	L.M.R.	Limited electric working Rugby – Coventry inaugurated	1966
Jan 3	L.M.R.	Princes End & Coseley closed G. [C]
Jan 3	L.M.R.	Tipton Bloomfield Basin closed G. [C]
Jan 9	L.M.R.	First phase of Birmingham New Street power signal box inaugurated. On completion of the final phase on July 3rd, the box controlled the area from Berkswell (adjacent to the area controlled from Coventry) to Watery Lane Tipton (adjacent to the area controlled from Wolverhampton). The box also controlled as far as Great Barr (adjoining the Walsall box area). New Street box also controlled the line to Erdington and ex-Midland Railway lines out of New Street station as far as Church Road Jc and Exchange Sidings. It replaced 34 manual signal boxes in the area, mainly on ex-L.N.W. lines. [BEM, RM]	2003
Feb 7	L.M.R.	Camp Hill closed G. [C]
Mar 7	L.M.R.	Water Orton closed G. [C]
Mar 28	L.M.R.	Bescot loco depot closed to steam.
Apr 4	L.M.R.	Leamington Spa Avenue – Marton Jcn abandoned. Freight to and from Southam Cement Works operated from Rugby with reversal at Marton Junction. [BLN54]
Apr 18	L.M.R.	Full electric service Crewe – Euston via Trent Valley inaugurated, with limited electric operation between Rugby and Coventry. [RM]	1967
Apr 18	L.M.R.	Blackwell closed P. [Q]
May 2	L.M.R.	King’s Heath closed G. [C]
May 27	L.M.R.	New connection Leamington Spa General – Leamington Spa Milverton opened G. (Line connected 15^th May 1966 when line to General Station South closed). [BLN60] First passenger use of new connection on 23^rd July by a Wolverhampton – Portsmouth relief train. [SLS]	1977
Jun 1	L.M.R.	Connection Smethwick West – Galton Junction reopened G and for limited use by passenger excursions. [BLN60]	1967
Jun 6	L.M.R.	Connection Nuneaton Trent Valley – Abbey Street reopened P. [BLN58]	1992, 2004
Jul 11	L.M.R.	Stourbridge loco shed closed to steam. [Misc on-line]
Aug 1	L.M.R.	Dudley closed G. [C]	1967
Aug 7	L.M.R.	New connection installed, Wolverhampton North Junction – Stafford Road Junction incorporating the former G.W.R. line from Stafford Road Junction to Victoria Basin. First recorded use by passenger train on 17^th Sept 1966 (Derby – Aberystwyth excursion). Regular passenger services from Wolverhampton Queen Street (later High Level) to Shrewsbury had ceased on 14^th November 1854 on opening of the line between Stafford Road Junction and Wolverhampton Low Level.	1967
Aug 15	L.M.R.	Overhead electric traction equipment energised: Coventry - Stechford – Proof House Junction and Stechford - Aston - Bescot (Grand Junction line). [RM]	1966
Aug 29	L.M.R.	Swan Village closed G. [C]	1999
Sep 5	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton (H.L.) – Victoria Basin opened G. [BLN70]. The line had been connected on 7^th August and the first passenger use was an excursion on 17^th September. [SLS]	1967
Sep 6	L.M.R.	Ettingshall Road & Bilston closed G. [C]
Oct 3	L.M.R.	Electric freight operation inaugurated: Bescot – Aston – Stechford – Coventry. [BEM, RM]	1966
Oct 9	L.M.R.	Birmingham New Street: new Ringway entrance, concourse and booking office opened. Stephenson Street entrance closed. [RM]	2013
Oct-31	L.M.R.	Overhead electric traction equipment energised at Birmingham New Street and on Stour Valley line to Wolverhampton. [RM]	1966
Nov 7	L.M.R.	Tyseley loco depot closed to steam. [RoW] (The shed’s final allocation included three pannier tank locos, the last standard gauge GWR locos officially in B.R. service, but in practice a further pannier tank remained informally in use at Wrexham after official withdrawal).
Nov 17	L.M.R.	Final appearance of B.R. steam locomotive at New Street, by 2-6-0 locomotive 43002, propelling a failed Coventry – New Street d.m.u. [BEM]
Nov 25	L.M.R.	Press demonstration of first electric multiple unit (AM4 unit 029) to enter Birmingham New Street. [BEM]	1966
Dec 5	L.M.R.	Limited electric services inaugurated between New Street and Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton. [BEM]	1967
		1967
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Regular electric operation inaugurated; Coventry – Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton and Walsall. [BEM]	1967
Feb-28	L.M.R.	Collision at Stechford between a Manchester - Coventry emu and a locomotive running round an engineer's train as part of an unauthorised shunting movement. The accident, which resulted in nine fatalities, occurred only six days before inauguration of full electric service to Euston [HMSO]
Mar 5	L.M.R.	Last day of operation of diverted passenger trains over Priestfield Junction – Stourbridge Junction North. [BLN75]	1968
Mar 6	L.M.R.	Formal opening of rebuilt station at Birmingham New Street. Inauguration of full service and accelerated timetables on electrified former LNW lines through New Street, with an hourly service from Euston taking about 1hr 35min to reach New Street. [PT]	2013
Mar 6	L.M.R.	Most of Snow Hill's services permanently diverted to New Street (but see 9/1/68) and through Paddington – Snow Hill – Birkenhead services withdrawn (including Sleeping Car service). Operations at Snow Hill subsequently confined to platforms 2,3,4, and 6. To enable diversion of services the following connections were brought into use for passenger traffic: Bordesley South Junction (GWR line) to Bordesley Junction (Midland Rly line) opened P. Galton Junction to Smethwick West re-opened P. Wolverhampton North Junction to Stafford Road Junction re-opened P. [BLN76]
Mar 6	L.M.R.	Birmingham Central Goods closed G and line from Church Road Junction abandoned. [BLN75]
March	L.M.R.	Monument Lane loco shed closed (diesel allocation only since 1962). [RoW] Saltley loco shed closed to steam.	2005
May 1	L.M.R.	Bilston Central closed G. [C]	1972
May 1	L.M.R.	Sutton Coldfield closed G. [C]
May 1	L.M.R.	West Bromwich closed G. [C]	1972
May 1	L.M.R.	Walsall Lichfield Road Junction - North Walsall Junction officially closed G (no traffic since 7^th January 1965). [BLN87]
May 22	L.M.R.	Selly Oak, Bournville, Kings Norton, Northfield, Barnt Green, Alvechurch all unstaffed. [BLN85/1967]	1978
May 23	L.M.R.	Derailment of 09.40 Poole - Newcastle express north of Tyseley station following failure of bracket supporting equipment beneath the locomotive. No serious injuries, despite derailment of all 12 carriages. [HMSO]
Jul 16	L.M.R.	Dudley freightliner terminal completed (first train on Nov 6^th). [BLN1298]	1989
Aug 7	L.M.R.	Hockley closed G. [C]	1972
Sep 4	L.M.R.	Lifford canal branch officially closed (already out of use since 1966) [SLS, BLN96]
Oct 8	L.M.R.	Atherstone, Lichfield TV, Polesworth, Rugeley TV all unstaffed. [BLN95]	2004
Nov	L.M.R.	Birmingham Lawley Street Freightliner terminal opened on site of ex-Midland Rly freight depot. [B]
Nov	L.M.R.	Stechford rebuilt with new booking hall and entrance in Victoria Road replacing that in Station Road. Ex-LNWR platform buildings were replaced by glass ‘bus shelters’ as had become customary when local stations required structural alterations. [P]	1968
		1968
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Swan Village South- Horsley Fields Junction abandoned (last use, 15^th June 1964). [BLN101]
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Dudley North - Priestfield Junction closed G and abandoned. [SLS]
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Old Hill – Blowers Green closed G and abandoned. [SLS]
Jan 1	L.M.R.	Darlaston (Fallings Heath Crossing) - Wednesbury (Patent Shaft siding) closed G and abandoned (part Old Darlaston branch). [SLS]
Jan 9	L.M.R.	Final through working Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton L.L.-Birmingham Snow Hill- Paddington (train diverted because of closure of New Street for several hours following heavy snowfall). [RM]
Feb	L.M.R.	Gosford Green closed G but line retained until 1981 for traffic to private siding at Chrysler factory.	1981
Feb 27	L.M.R.	Relief lines Lapworth - Solihull taken out of use (but down relief retained as a loop from Knowle & Dorridge to Bentley Heath). [Cooke]	1968
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Remaining services southwards from Birmingham Snow Hill withdrawn and line thence to Moor Street sb closed P and G. [BLN99/103]	1968
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Remaining services northwards from Wolverhampton L.L. withdrawn and Dunstall Park closed P. Line from Low Level station to Stafford Road Junction closed P and G. [BLN99/105] (But line reopened for the day on 7^th October 1968 because of a derailment near High Level) [SLS]	1969
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Cannock Road Junction - Bushbury Junction closed G. [BLN105]	1969
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Queen's Head, Handsworth closed G. [C]
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Stopping passenger services Birmingham New Street - Tamworth (-Derby) withdrawn and Kingsbury closed P. [Q]
Mar 4	L.M.R.	Stopping passenger services Birmingham New Street - Nuneaton (-Leicester) withdrawn and the following stations closed P: Saltley Castle Bromwich Coleshill Whitacre Shustoke Stockingford Nuneaton Abbey Street Nuneaton Abbey Street - Midland Junction closed P. [Q, BLN99]	2007
March	L.M.R.	Remodelling of stations between Moor Street and Leamington Spa (exclusive) commenced. Platform awnings at all stations except Tyseley were removed, all platform buildings demolished at Bordesley, Small Heath & Sparkbrook, Acocks Green, Widney Manor, Lapworth and Hatton and facilities reduced at Olton, Solihull, Knowle & Dorridge and Warwick. Glass "bus shelters" were installed where all other platform buildings had been removed. Only Tyseley was left without significant alteration. [BEM]
Mar 25	L.M.R.	Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse officially closed P (last use on 14/3/68). [BLN99,102]
April 1	L.M.R.	Baggeridge Junction - Pensnett (Lunt, Comley & Pitt Coal depot) closed G . [NW] (The line from Kingswinford Jc to Pensnett (LCP siding) remained available for use until at least 1994, but subsequently ceased to be available for traffic)
Apr 27	L.M.R.	Last use of The Hawthorns by passenger services. [Q]	1972
May 6	L.M.R./ W.R.	Passenger service Leamington Spa - Stratford-on-Avon - Gloucester Central via Honeybourne East and West Junctions and Winchcombe withdrawn. [B]	1969
May 6	L.M.R.	The stations listed below renamed by dropping the portion of the name shown in brackets in normal type leaving the portion of the name shown in bold. [Q] Acocks Green (and South Yardley) (Churchill and) Blakedown Coseley (Deepfields) Cradley (Heath and Cradley) Danzey (for Tanworth) Handsworth (and Smethwick) Knowle (and Dorridge) Oldbury (and Bromford Lane) (Oldbury and ) Langley Green Rowley Regis (and Blackheath) Rugeley (Trent Valley) Small Heath (and Sparkbrook) Stechford (for Yardley) Tipton (Owen Street) Wednesbury (Central)	1969,1981 1972 1974 1984 1969 1996 1971 1968
May 6	L.M.R.	The following closed G: [C] Hall Green Shirley Stratford-on-Avon
Jun 3	L.M.R.	Monument Lane closed G. [C]
Jul 5	L.M.R.	Relief lines Solihull to Tyseley taken out of use. [Cooke]
Aug 5	L.M.R.	Lichfield City closed G. [C]
Aug 5	L.M.R.	Stafford Common (ex-GNR) closed G. [C]
Sep 9	L.M.R.	The following stations closed G: Halesowen Handsworth & Smethwick Soho (ex-LNWR) Tyseley Wednesbury (ex-GWR) [C]	1969 1972 1972
Sep 23	L.M.R.	Birmingham Curzon Street closed G. [C]
Oct 25	B.R.B.	Transport Act 1968 receives Royal Assent. Inter alia, the Act provided for the reconstruction of B.R.B. finances, with a distinction between 'commercial' and 'social' passenger services (the latter being eligible for grant-aid) and the establishment of local Passenger Transport Authorities. This Act was a significant factor in the development of local passenger services in subsequent years. [G1]	1969
Nov 11	L.M.R.	Birmingham Snow Hill to Birmingham Moor Street abandoned. [SLS]	1987
		1969
Jan 6	L.M.R.	Armitage closed G. [C]
Jan 12	L.M.R.	Hatton West Junction to Bearley Junction singled. [Cooke]
Jan 17	L.M.R.	Kenilworth Junction - Berkswell abandoned (track damaged: last train on 16/1/69) [BLN123].
Feb 10	L.M.R.	Aldridge Junction – BICC Siding abandoned. [SLS]
Mar 10	L.M.R.	Tamworth Low Level - High Level connection abandoned (regular traffic ceased earlier). [BLN126]
Mar 31	L.M.R.	Langley Green closed G. [C]
May 2	B.R.B.	Injunction granted by the Appeal Court restraining B.R. from withdrawing passenger services between Birmingham and Stratford-on-Avon via the North Warwickshire line. Ruling made on afternoon prior to planned final day of services. (The injunction related to incomplete arrangements for alternative ‘bus services in lieu of trains. B.R. did not apply for the injunction to be lifted until 1984 by which time local authority financial support for services was available so that subsequent closure proposals were withdrawn.) [BP, B]
May 5	W.R.	Passenger service Stratford-upon-Avon - Honeybourne (-Worcester) withdrawn (but line Stratford –Honeybourne East – Cheltenham Spa remained available for diversionary use). [BLN137].	1976
May 5	L.M.R.	The following stations unstaffed henceforth: Birmingham Snow Hill, Hockley, Winson Green, Handsworth, West Bromwich, Swan Village, Wednesbury, Bilston Central, Priestfield, Wolverhampton Low Level. [BLN135]	1972
May 19	L.M.R.	The following closed G: Leamington Spa Avenue Leamington Spa General [C]
Jul 28	L.M.R.	Cradley closed G. [C]
Sept 8	L.M.R.	Saltley Power Box fully commissioned, replacing manual boxes on ex-MR lines to Tamworth, Nuneaton Abbey Street, Aldridge, and to Blackwell via Kings Heath plus the Birmingham West Suburban line to Church Road Jcn and also on ex-GW lines Moor Street to Leamington Spa (excl) and Hall Green (excl) plus Hatton - Bearley. [BLN139]
Oct 1	WMPTE	Inauguration of West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive (later Centro) in accordance with provisions of Transport Act 1968, intended at a date yet to be determined to carry out the policy of the newly-established West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority with regard to all passenger transport within a specified area of the West Midlands. Early announcements suggested a lack of interest in local rail services but policy subsequently changed to encourage development of rail services. [PC]	1972 1975
Oct 1	L.M.R.	Old Hill - Halesowen Canal basin closed G and abandoned. [BLN138]
Oct 6	L.M.R.	Cannock Road Junction - Stafford Road Jcn and Bushbury Jcn reopened G. (Used by Littleton colliery - Buildwas coal trains reversing at Cannock Road Junction.) Cannock Road Junction - Wolverhampton L.L. abandoned and lifted. [BLN146]	1983

		1970
Oct 5	L.M.R.	Witton closed G. [C]
Nov 2	L.M.R.	Selly Oak closed G. [C]
		1971
May 3	L.M.R.	Whitacre Junction - Kingsbury junction closed to regular passenger services but remained available for diversions and seasonal services. [BLN171]	1980
Jul 5	L.M.R.	Stechford closed G. [C]
Jul 19	L.M.R.	Nuneaton (Weddington Jcn) - Market Bosworth closed G and abandoned.
Nov 1	L.M.R.	Winson Green closed G. [C]
		1972
Jan 1	WMPTA.	Responsibility for local rail services within the West Midlands county passed to West Midland Passenger Transport Authority
Feb 7	L.M.R.	Redditch passenger station replaced by a new station further north and branch shortened by 8 chains. [BLN196]	1977
Mar 6	L.M.R.	Passenger services Birmingham Snow Hill - Wolverhampton Low Level and Birmingham Snow Hill - Smethwick West - Langley Green withdrawn and the following stations closed P: [Q] Birmingham Snow Hill Hockley Winson Green Handsworth The Hawthorns (last use on 27/4/1968) West Bromwich Swan Village Wednesbury Bilston Priestfield Wolverhampton Low Level	1999 1995 1987 1999 1999 1999 1995 1999 1999 1999 1999 1999
Mar 6	L.M.R.	Birmingham Snow Hill - Winson Green and Handsworth Junction - Swan Village North abandoned. Winson Green - Queen's Head Sidings retained for Engineer's traffic only. (Queen's Head sidings served from Smethwick West via Handsworth Junction). [BLN228}	1974
Mar 27	L.M.R.	Great Bridge North closed G.
Mar 27	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton Herbert Street closed G. [C]
April 1	L.M.R.	Electrification extended from Wolverhampton North Jc to Oxley carriage sidings. (This was the first length of the former Great Western Railway to be electrified at 25Kv). [RM]
May 1	L.M.R.	Birmingham New Street - London Euston service frequency increased to every thirty minutes throughout the day (SuX). [B]	2008
Aug 3	L.M.R.	Buildings on down platform at Sutton Coldfield destroyed in an arson attack. [P]
Sep 17	L.M.R.	Last use of Sutton Coldfield Motorail terminal on arrival of final working from St Austell. The final working from Inverness and Stirling had arrived on 15^th September. Commencing on 20^th May 1973, the terminal was switched to Crewe until withdrawal of Motorail services in 1987. Sutton Coldfield yard was taken out of use at some date between 23 April and 15 May 1976, having seen little, if any, use since the cessation of Motorail services in 1972.
Nov 6	L.M.R.	Birmingham Moor Street closed G. [C]	1987
		1973
May 7	L.M.R./ W.R.	Birmingham New Street - Paddington service via Bicester reduced to one each way daily, later curtailed to operate south of Banbury only. Other New Street - Paddington services diverted via Oxford. [RM]	1993
May 23	L.M.R.	Wolverhampton Low Level – Priestfield (Walsall St Jc) abandoned. [BLN226] (Line north of Swan Village to Wolverhampton Steel Terminal at Walsall Street accessed via Wednesbury Town. Wolverhampton Low Level Parcels depot accessed via the ex-Midland Railway connection from Heath Town).	1999
Nov 19	L.M.R.	Stafford Common (R.A.F. siding) - Stafford No 5 abandoned. [BLN238]
		1974
May 6	L.M.R.	The following stations renamed: Earlswood Lakes became Earlswood Great Barr became Hamstead Grimes Hill and Wythall became Wythall Knowle became Dorridge Vauxhall & Duddeston became Duddeston Wootton Wawen Platform became Wootton Wawen [Q]
May	L.M.R.	Soho Pool closed G but branch from Soho East Junction retained for access to Texaco oil terminal. [C]	1982

The two other parts of this Chronology may be found at:

RAILWAYS of W. MIDLANDS pt 2. (1975-1993)

RAILWAYS of W. MIDLANDS pt 3. (1994-2014)

Abbreviations

B.R.B. British Railways Board

B.T.C. British Transport Commission

L.M.R. British Railways London Midland Region

WCML West Coast Main Line

W.R. British Railways Western Region

Sources:

AA Automobile Association

B John Boynton: Century of Railways around Birmingham (and other publications).

B&H I. Baxter and R. Harper: Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street (2 books).

BEM Contemporary issue of Birmingham Evening Mail

BP Contemporary issue of Birmingham Post

BR Contemporary British Railways publications, handbills and staff notices

C C.R. Clinker and J.M. Firth: Register of Closed Passenger Stations and Goods Depots

CB Clive Butcher: The GWR at Stourbridge and in the Black Country

CC Corrections to Col. M.H. Cobb Historical Atlas

Chr R. Christiansen: Forgotten Railways of West Midlands

Cooke Track Layout Diagrams of GWR and BR WR

F&S R. Freeman & J. Shaw: All Change: British Railway Privatisation

G1 T.R. Gourvish: British Railways 1948-73

G2 -do- British Railways 1974-97

HMSO Her Majesty’s Stationery Office (Accident Reports)

MA-W Motorway Archive web page

NAO papers published by National Audit Office

NW Ned Williams: By Rail to Wombourn, Uralia Press 1969

P Personal notes/observations

PC Paul Collins: Birmingham Corporation Transport (Ian Allan 1999)

PT Contemporary Public Timetables

Q Michael Quick: Railway Passenger Stations in Great Britain

RC Railway Codes web site

RCTS-W Railway Correspondence and Travel Society web page

RM Contemporary issue of Railway Magazine

RoW Railways of Warwickshire web site

SB Signal Box web site

SLS Contemporary issue of S.L.S. Journal

SRS Signalling Record Society website

TI Contemporary issue of Trains Illustrated

WT Contemporary Working Timetable