Tamworth field trainspotting

[Radiorails]

Noting the Devonian I remembered when I was stationed at Weston-super-Mare, for a while when in the RAF and before I bought my fist car, I used to catch the Devonian to Paignton. After the train left Taunton I made my way to the dining car for afternoon tea. Always enjoyable and I was a also interested in how the train climbed the bank to Whiteball Tunnel. Sometimes it seemed little faster than walking pace; other times faster.

 

[Neville Philpott]

I can help with acouple of your timings based on my 1962/3 London Midland Region book which is the earliest that i have.

Northbound. The Mancunian left Euston at 18.05.
Southbound. The Mancunain left Manchester at 09.40 arriving Euston at 13.30.
Southbound. The Ulster Express left Heysham at 06.55 arriving Euston at 11.55. weekdays.
Southbound. The Ulster Express left Heysham at 06.55 arriving Euston at 13.00. saturdays.

HTH..

 

[Edifi]

Anyone interested in A 1939 full LMS timetable in excellent order and a network railway map

 

[Stubby]

Yeah.. I spent a few hours in the 1950's in the field at Tamworth...came back hoarse when some good Kops had been had...... bottles of Cheethams lemonade from the cafe.... I must dig out some photos I bought from the cafe....they were taken by someone called Burrows I think...... One Shilling and Fourpence Ha'penny return from New St.... used to get there for the 9'o clock stopper...usually a good Kop....saw the Eastern region Garratt in Saltley one journey as it had been on trials on the Lickey Incline.... such happy days...

Can anyone remind me precisely where the cafe was? My recollection is that it was at the eastern end of the low level down platform (near the "field") but looking at the old aerial photo I think it must have been at the western end, beyond the main station buildings. I visited from Sheffield 3 times in 1956 - 1957. I note it cost me 6/3 return (breaking my journey at Derby) - almost a week's wages for delivering my paper round! At quiet times, I enjoyed visiting the cafe and playing Elvis records on the juke box. I attach a pic I took of South Australia on 12th April 1957, my last visit. Happy days!

 

[Edifi]

You had to pass the cafe when you came down from the high level and under the bridge to the field.

 

[pistonvalve]

I don't remember the new style 'clangers' shown in the photo, must have been replaced after my last visit.

Mike.

 

[Stubby]

You had to pass the cafe when you came down from the high level and under the bridge to the field.

Thanks Edifi. Does that mean it was on the eastern side of the down platform after all? And was there road access to the rear? The attached pic I found elsewhere seems to have a kerb in front of it, whereas I recall going in directly off the platform.

 

[Edifi]

Stubby ,After nearly 70 years cant remember whether it was

North ,South ,,East ,or West of the Station.

But do remember the Pin Ball machines in there

 

[Stubby]

Yes, lovely memories, Edifi. At first, I was slightly puzzled when you said you had to go under the bridge before passing the cafe. Then I realised that, as a "master brummie", you would have got off the train from Birmingham on the northbound platform (then under the bridge), whereas coming from Sheffield I got off on the opposite side. Looking at the modern map, the caravan park (where the field was) is on the SE side of the station, and there would have been an access road to it under the high level line where the access to the caravan park is now. Think that sorts it now! Thanks again.

 

[mikeflan]

Can anyone remind me precisely where the cafe was? My recollection is that it was at the eastern end of the low level down platform (near the "field") but looking at the old aerial photo I think it must have been at the western end, beyond the main station buildings. I visited from Sheffield 3 times in 1956 - 1957. I note it cost me 6/3 return (breaking my journey at Derby) - almost a week's wages for delivering my paper round! At quiet times, I enjoyed visiting the cafe and playing Elvis records on the juke box. I attach a pic I took of South Australia on 12th April 1957, my last visit. Happy days!

 

[Edifi]

How did us young Brummies get to know about the field at Tamworth and then Rugby and Crewe

 

[mikeflan]

The cafe was on the west side of the forecourt to low level station........I went back with a pal in 1981 and as you might guess the scene was changing, the cafe had gone and chatting to the station master he told us it had blown down, we said we were just recollecting our 1950's memories......and he said...I see you have a camera....take a photo of those LMS warehouses as they're going soon for the new road to come through...he was saying how good the kids were in those days unlike what he had to put up with in 1981.....so it was quite complimentary in a way....so why did they ban us from going on it...lol......... can you imagine though all those kids on a platform...lol..... we went into the field to find static holiday caravans then....and the tiny tunnel to get to the field.....I think that's a little larger now and as there are Park Homes on there ....it's residential I take it........ Oh those happy days...... when the one time we found the farmer had put a bulldog in there........I'm so appreciative of being able to have such a good time there........somewhere I still have some photo postcards the cafe used to sell...with the name of John M Burrows of Two Gates on the back........some people will never know just what MAGIC they missed !!!!!

 

[Edifi]

In the school holidays between 1952-55 I worked for my Uncle who had a Crisp firm.Sat & Sun was out Spotting.2/9 to Rugby,3/7d hapney to Crewe,and I think 1/6 to Tamworth.Used to get £1:10 shillings for 5days 9-5 but loved it so I could go train spotting at the Weekend

 

[mw0njm.]

we used to get on the train at Saltley station. to go to Tamworth. when there we stood on a metal bridge over the track.

 

[mikeflan]

In the school holidays between 1952-55 I worked for my Uncle who had a Crisp firm.Sat & Sun was out Spotting.2/9 to Rugby,3/7d hapney to Crewe,and I think 1/6 to Tamworth.Used to get £1:10 shillings for 5days 9-5 but loved it so I could go train spotting at the Weekend

When I first started spotting it was 1 shilling and penny ha'penny....then it skyrocketed to 1shilling and fourpence ha'penny......and I do recall there was a one off black semi still roaming the lines at first...can't remember which one it was now....so long ago.....

 

[mw0njm.]

Stubby ,After nearly 70 years cant remember whether it was

North ,South ,,East ,or West of the Station.

But do remember the Pin Ball machines in there

ed.. I remember being nosy and opening a box on the station to look inside. the lid was loose,it fell off and broke my foot. i spent the night in Sutton hospital. it did not put me off spotting and being nosy. that was 60 yrs ago. Tempus fugit

 

[Edifi]

It Certainly does Pete.But we have good memories of it .Keep Well Ed

 

[Bob Davis]

ed.. I remember being nosy and opening a box on the station to look inside. the lid was loose,it fell off and broke my foot. i spent the night in Sutton hospital. it did not put me off spotting and being nosy. that was 60 yrs ago. Tempus fugit

Forget about your broken foot, we are all desperate to know what was in the box. By the way did the foot heal OK
BOB

 

[Radiorails]

ed.. I remember being nosy and opening a box on the station to look inside. the lid was loose,it fell off and broke my foot. i spent the night in Sutton hospital. it did not put me off spotting and being nosy. that was 60 yrs ago. Tempus fugit

Well, it could have been worse; it might have been this guy!

 

[Edifi]

 

[Edifi]

Pete, was it Firehose in the box.

 

[mw0njm.]

Pete, was it Firehose in the box.

no ed a telephone.

 

[Edifi]

Pete that was handy for the Ambulance then

 

[mw0njm.]

Pete that was handy for the Ambulance then

na ed it was only for station coms.......

 

[Stubby]

The cafe was on the west side of the forecourt to low level station........I went back with a pal in 1981 and as you might guess the scene was changing, the cafe had gone and chatting to the station master he told us it had blown down, we said we were just recollecting our 1950's memories......and he said...I see you have a camera....take a photo of those LMS warehouses as they're going soon for the new road to come through...he was saying how good the kids were in those days unlike what he had to put up with in 1981.....so it was quite complimentary in a way....so why did they ban us from going on it...lol......... can you imagine though all those kids on a platform...lol..... we went into the field to find static holiday caravans then....and the tiny tunnel to get to the field.....I think that's a little larger now and as there are Park Homes on there ....it's residential I take it........ Oh those happy days...... when the one time we found the farmer had put a bulldog in there........I'm so appreciative of being able to have such a good time there........somewhere I still have some photo postcards the cafe used to sell...with the name of John M Burrows of Two Gates on the back........some people will never know just what MAGIC they missed !!!!!

Thanks for your memories, Mikeflan. However, I am now confused again (doesn't take much!). I must say I was surprised to find that the West Coast Main Line (that I fully expected to be aligned more or less North-South), actually heads almost exactly East-West at this point. Edifi says that having descended from the high level, presumably having got off the train from Birmingham, you had to pass under the bridge (no doubt the one carrying the Birmingham-Derby Line) and past the cafe to get to the field. This accords with my recollection too, and I'm pretty sure it's correct because that is where the caravan park is now. On this basis, the cafe would have been at the eastern end of the platform, not the west. Approaching the main station building from the road at the front, having gone through to the platform, you would have had to turn right. Do you agree? Sorry to be a pedantic old s*d. It comes with the territory at our age!

 

[Edifi]

Stubby.when we got of the train. We came down the stairs out onto the road turned Left went passed the Cafe and under the Bridge and into the field.The railway line over the Bridge was the Bham to Derby and Sheffield .

 

[mikeflan]

Thanks for your memories, Mikeflan. However, I am now confused again (doesn't take much!). I must say I was surprised to find that the West Coast Main Line (that I fully expected to be aligned more or less North-South), actually heads almost exactly East-West at this point. Edifi says that having descended from the high level, presumably having got off the train from Birmingham, you had to pass under the bridge (no doubt the one carrying the Birmingham-Derby Line) and past the cafe to get to the field. This accords with my recollection too, and I'm pretty sure it's correct because that is where the caravan park is now. On this basis, the cafe would have been at the eastern end of the platform, not the west. Approaching the main station building from the road at the front, having gone through to the platform, you would have had to turn right. Do you agree? Sorry to be a pedantic old s*d. It comes with the territory at our age!

.
If you looked at the low level station from the road...Birmingham at the back of you....the cafe was on your left......tunnel to field on your right... high level also on your right running from Birmingham to Derby !!! By the way...DON'T call them caravans...you'll get 'lynched' by those now PARK HOME residents.....you wished to be pedantic so you MUST address these new type homes correctly...I sited many of these so I know how the residents feel at them being called Caravans ha ha...
Where the cafe WAS....is a new car park......do you also remember the goods yard at the back of the cafe...?? on the Lichfield side !!! there were also LMS warehouses there too...which I may put photos of of when I was there in 1981...

Just to add another question.....I wonder how many of you knew there was a 'Link Line' from the low level line (Lichfield side) to the High level line ???????

 

[mikeflan]

Stubby.when we got of the train. We came down the stairs out onto the road turned Left went passed the Cafe and under the Bridge and into the field.The railway line over the Bridge was the Bham to Derby and Sheffield .

Hit the nail on the head mate !!!!!!

 

[mikeflan]

Now....here is the shot I took on advice of the Station Master 15th June 1981....with the warehouses towards the shunting/goods yard at the rear of the cafe side ...that's the Lichfield side if anyone is confused.....

 

[Edifi]

Mikeflan,We bought our first house in Lichfield in 1966 and lived there till 73, we lived just off Burton Old Rd which had level crossing gates.This was the goods line that ran from Walsall to Burton & Derby..It ran at the bottom of my garden.Were those goods trains slow.Never used to spot then.