Fossway Crossing, Lichfield.

Image: © Nick Allsop Taken: 27 May 2010

A rather surprising survivor is the little signal box at Fossway Crossing just outside Lichfield. The box is situated on the former South Staffordshire line from Wichnor Junction (M.R. spelling) to Walsall and was brought into use in 1875 containing a 10 lever LNWR tumbler frame. After an uneventful existence closure came 98 years later on 16th December 1973 when the crossing was automated with AHB's supervised by Lichfield City No1. The box remained however as the crossing attendant's accommodation for times when the barriers were on 'local control'. Eleven years later on 19th March 1984 the through route closed but the double line remained from Lichfield to Anglesea Sidings at Brownhills for deliveries of heating oil to Charringtons depot. Bizarrely the double line was worked as a one-train single line with a train staff, trains going as before on the up and returning on the down merely because of the automatic crossing here. This situation remained until the cross-city line was electrified and with the closure of Lichfield City box on 10th October 1992 control of the signalling passed to Aston and - the opportunity was taken to single the branch line and renew the half barriers here. The final delivery of heating oil took place in 2001 and the branch was mothballed, there are still long term plans to reinstate the through route to Walsall so trains may once again pass this way... In the meantime someone should surely look at preserving this diminutive little LNWR type 3 for posterity.

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