This is a walking plus service tram, train and bus tour to visit some historic examples of railway architecture (and a few canal tunnels!) in the Birmingham area – starting in the morning and running well into the afternoon, finishing approximately at 4pm. There is extensive walking! But if you are interested in railway architecture and might be interested in a few canal tunnels too, then why not give this tour a try – with time to enjoy mini histories and some historic photos for these structures. The tour starts outside the Woodman pub (near Millennium Point) at 10AM with the aim of visiting to see from public locations (in this order):
1. Old Curzon Street station building (1838)
2. Lawley Street Viaduct (1838) and later viaduct atop (1893)
3. Ashted canal tunnel (Digbeth Branch Canal 1799)
4. 1838 section of railway bridge into Curzon Street station over Digbeth Branch Canal
5. Curzon Street canal tunnel
5. The Birmingham Gun Barrel Proof House wharf
6. The cast iron gentlemen’s convenience on Allison Street (1880-1890)
7. Moor Street Railway Goods Station Shed B (1909)
8. Moor Street station (1914)
9. Great Western Arcade (1875)
10. The former Livery Street gateway/entrance into Snow Hill station
11. BCN Birmingham & Fazeley Canal railway arch
12. Henrietta Street railway arch
The tour then continues by tram from St. Paul’s stop to Edgbaston Village stop and then by bus into the heart of Edgbaston for a walk along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to see:
1. Edgbaston canal tunnel;
2. The site of the former Birmingham West Suburban Railway’s Church Road station; and
3. The site of the former Church Road Junction for the former branch to Birmingham Central Goods station.
We will travel from Five Ways station by service train to Bournville for a short walk to see the remaining former Cadbury Railway bridge. Please note public transport fares are not included in the price! This tour involves extensive walking and you will need to be of reasonable fitness. Participants will need to wear comfy footwear, weather appropriate clothing and bring a sandwich and drink (we will take a break along the way). Minimum age 12 and anyone 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult and requires a ticket. There is a maximum of one 12-16 year old per accompanying adult. No alcohol is allowed on or near the tour. If someone is found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, even if consumed prior to tour, they will be removed from the tour. Please arrive at least ten minutes before the tour time at the designated meeting point.
A shorter version of this tour is available on Sun 20 Sept
How to get there:
Millenium Point in Birmingham has a dedicated West Midlands Metro tram stop, providing direct access to the wider tram network. It is also within a 10-minute walk of Moor Street Station and near several central bus routes.
Organised by the Branch Line Society
