Goods train leaves the Halesowen branch
Introduction
The photograph on this page of Goods train leaves the Halesowen branch by Martin Tester as part of the Geograph project.
The Geograph project started in 2005 with the aim of publishing, organising and preserving representative images for every square kilometre of Great Britain, Ireland and the Isle of Man.
There are currently over 7.5m images from over 14,400 individuals and you can help contribute to the project by visiting https://www.geograph.org.uk
Image: © Martin Tester Taken: Unknown
D8139 heads a goods train around the sharp bend on the Halesowen branch as it nears the junction with the Stourbridge line at Old Hill station. The train has just left Haden Hill Tunnel. The open wagons suggest it might be carrying tubes from the Somers foundry at Halesowen Canal Basin. The elevated camera position suggests I might be standing on the station's footbridge. (It was a long time ago & I regret I can't remember the details nor can I explain the 5 cables!) The Halesowen branch originally went as far as Longbridge Junction on the main Birmingham to Gloucester line. The public passenger service finished as early as 1927, although an unadvertised service for workmen at Longbridge Austin factory lasted until August 1958. The line south of Halesowen remained open for goods traffic until January 1964. The short length from Old Hill to Halesowen (less than 2 miles) lingered on serving the Somers foundry until October 1969.