Station Name: LONGBRIDGE 2nd site[Source:
Terry Callaghan]
Looking south from the station platform during 1920 at what was the original bridge which carried the A38 Bristol Road over the line. Presumably the station buildings were located to the right.
Photo by S Mourton supplied by Bob Pixton Reproduced with kind permission from the Austin Memories website The 1936 1:2500 scale map shows how the Longbridge Motor Works has built up around the station the original plant was situated on the opposite side of the Bristol Road below the existing rail lines. The 1965 os plan at 1:1,2500 scale still shows the station with its booking office on the Bristol Road very little had changed in the area in the intervening period apart from the station now being officially closed. A charming scene from the 1950's with the station busy after the arrival of two workmens trains the train in the foreground is the LMS train from Birmingham New Street composed of an LMS 9 compartment Third Class carriage, designed by William Stanier, followed by a non-corridor compartment coach from the 1920 to 1939 period with a more modern LMS built coach, the fore runner of the BR Mk1. The GWR train is on the opposite platform headed by an 0-6-0 Pannier Tank with some pre-grouping GWR stock wth all the coaches carrying the British Railway's livery. Photographer unknown Reproduced with kind permission from the Austin Memories website Looking south from the same vantage point as the 1920 picture but this time in 1954. The late 1940's station building can be seen spanning the two lines which pass under the reconstructed A38 overbridge. Photo by D J Norton To see more of the D J Norton collection click here Looking towards Rubery during June 1954 and the close proximity of the motor works is apparent. The platform that the children are standing on was essentially an access walkway to the part of the works on the opposite side of the Bristol Road although passengers did alight on this side. Photo from the John Mann collection Looking now from the far north end of the station during March 1962 the Longbridge West box is a MR type 4a design fitted with a 16 lever frame. The box opened on 15 April 1914 and closed on 10 August 1922 it reopened on 21 July 1923 and was finally abolished on 29 October 1961.The platform ramp can be seen along with several sidings and access lines directly into the works. Photo by D J Norton To see more of the D J Norton collection click here The Last Train on the Harbourne Brach and Farewell to the Halesowen Branch SLS railtour makes a stop at Longbridge on 2 November 1963. Many of the passengers are taking the opportunity to explore the station and photograph the train. LMS Ivatt 2MT class 2-6-0 is at the head of the train for its initial working up the branch. Also of interest is the four plank goods wagon in the foreground with a BR mineral wagon standing a little further on. Photo by Geoffrey Head The station site viewed from the Bristol Road in October 1966 the platforms are still very much intact although nature is taking over the platforms. Several mineral wagons are stabled in the works sidings. Photo from the John Mann collection By the time this 1977 shot was taken the platforms appear to have been cleared of weeds and resurfaced. The footbridge and the curious sheds on the island platform have also been removed although the ubiquitous mineral wagons still grace the works sidings. Photo by Michael Westley reproduced under Creative Commons Licence from Geograph The 1940's ticket office was a feature of the Bristol Road and stood here for over 50 years after closure. Seen here on 28 December 2009 sporting BR Corporate double arrow logos and just two letters from the original 'TICKETS PARCELS' sign. To see more pictures of Longrbidge 2nd site click here
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