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We are right out of Brum history now. but the classic street name is Letsby Avenue, an airport approach road (I believe Manchester) which has only one building (a police station) on it. Peter

I've done a bit of delving in the Street Directories in the old Kelly's directories to which I have access here. The properties were numbered consecutively on the northe-east side of the road, starting at the corner with Broad Street. 1 Ladywood Road: Five Ways Inn, Licensee William Ellis in...

I think the attached map taken from the excellent Victoria History of Warwickshire (also available as History on Line) shows the choice of routes through Birmingham fairly clearly. It is misleading in that it does not show the through line from the Midland (or indeed the old LNW London main...

I just got me ticket to ride and hope to see you all at the Black Eagle (lovely place - remember it from my childhood) on 27th. Not far away now - can't wait. Peter

I have been doing some ferretting and have discovered the following. Emile Oscar Garcke (born Saxony, 1856 – died London? 1930) He joined the Anglo-Brush Electric Light Corporation, an American subsidiary, as Secretary in 1883, rising to become Manager in 1887 and Managing Director of its...

I think it's fascinating to see anything on record about the early days of Midland Red. The firm did some amazing things, and had an amazing structure with two strong guiding lights, who it is hard to imagine would always be in harmony. The two Good Books about the company mentioned in previous...

As I remember it, the 'semi streaks' were simply the Princess Royal class streamlined engines 6200-6201 and 6203 - 6212 built in 1934, with the streamlining removed. The top of the smokebox was tapered. The next batch of express engines, Coronation Class 6220 - 6255 were almost identical but not...

I've traced what I was looking for, but it occurred much later. The fifth and last Act of Parliament obtained by the Street Commissioners was passed in 1828. One of the clauses provided that "whereas in one of the principal streets or throughfares leading from Birmingham to Holyhead, called Snow...

Shortie, The 'machine' was a public weighbridge. I believe the first one was owned and maintained by the Parish, but I imagine that the Streets Commissioners took over the responsibility some time after they were formed in 1769. I have read something about them somewhere. I will have a look...

It's the entrance to the old permanent way yard on the north side of Miller Street, opposite the running sheds. I should think the picture was taken in late 1953, shortly after the trams were replaced, as the overhead wires had been removed. Also the two parked buses bore the destination Miller...

I have a copy of the Death certificate of Leslie Ernest Cantell, died at 77 Dudley Road, Winson Green, 29 August 1955, age 67. He had served in the navy for many years, but retired and became an attendant at Mitchell's and Butler's power station in the early thirties. He would have been my great...

His series is continuing this week with a very roundabout run from Derbyshire through Brum to London. Peter

Mike, yes you have pinpointed the location exactly. Phil, why do you say the stone was placed into the building about 1838? The building was erected in the later 1700's, certainly before 1778. And where would the stone have been before 1838?. The boundary between Aston and Brum ran along...

I've followed this discussion with interest, as I do remember the area quite well from, yes, 60 years ago, when I regularly went on the 10 tram to St Mark's Church, Washwood Heath, where my dad was organist. I don't see any problem with accepting that the picture is of an original stone carved...

Bernard and dek, The date of the original photo was taken was Saturday 4 July, 1953, the time was about 11.13 am, and the location was on Lichfield Road, corner of Victoria Road on the right, looking towards Aston Cross. The occasion was the last 'official' tram (invited guests only) which did a...

This is a fascinating story, and it's really good to see so much history being recorded here. I'm quite surprised at the suggestion that Summer Lane power station supplied only AC from the start, which I think was around 1904 when the trams opened. Although they ran at about 600 volts dc (plus...

Just come across this interesting thread. What I haven't seen mentioned is that Corporation bus and tram receipts were taken to the Municipal Bank, once it was founded around the end of World War 1. Another speciality was the ticket vans, which issued all the tickets in bulk to the garages and...

David, On the topic of the steepest tram routes in Birmingham, I don't suppose anyone ever got round to measuring the gradients exactly. The early steam trams could not tackle gradients like the new-fangled electrics. I would guess that the steepest bits on steam lines were Park Road, Aston (up...

If you had a garden, you could always have a compost heap, in which case you didn't need a bin in the street. As I remember, there were two sort of wooden bins they put out in the street towards the end of WW2 and shortly after. I think the green painted ones came first for the pig food - as I...

I always thought cobblers was rhyming slang, with the same meaning as orchestra stalls. Peter