Midlands Metro at Handsworth

Image: © David Stowell Taken: 2 Jul 2006

This is the site of the former Handsworth and Smethwick Station on the ex-GWR Main Line between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton Low Level and is an excellent example of railway regeneration. In the post-Beeching era the original main line was closed on 4th March 1972 and most of the track was removed. All that remained was a track from Smethwick Junction serving some sidings just out of view to the left of the picture. In 1995 two lines were relaid for the re-instatement of the cross-city passenger services from Snow Hill to Smethwick and onwards to Worcester. The train on the right is operating one of these services. Subsequently the other two tracks were replaced and opened in 1999 as part of the Midlands Metro tram service between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. The tram tracks can be seen rising up over a bridge giving access to the original "heavy-rail" sidings mentioned above.

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