BIBLIOGRAPHY
This section lists all of the major publications that have been consulted in the preparation of this web site followed by other publications, web sites, individuals and organisations. Where conflicting information has been found an attempt has been made to resolve the differences. Where this has not been possible dubious or alternate information is indicated as such in the text. An "*" indicates that a copy is held in the Archives of the MIAC.
MAJOR PUBLICATIONS
Birmingham to Bristol Portrait of a Famous Midland Route (Part One) (*)
(Stephen Mourton & Bob Pixton, Runpast Publications, 2001, ISBN 1 870754 53 0)
This book is a detailed look at the Birmingham to Bristol railway line (part one covers the Birmingham to Cheltenham section). It is A4 size with 96 pages of photographs with very interesting and informative text . Quality of reproduction of the photographs is excellent with many of the photographs being previously unpublished. Absolutely superb and unbeatable value.
Central Birmingham (*) Andrew Doherty Silver Link Publishing Ltd 2007 ISBN 978 1 85794 298 9 |
The Black Country and South Staffordshire (*) Andrew Doherty Silver Link Publishing Ltd 2009 ISBN 978 1 85794 322 1 |
|
Coal Mining Around Halesowen (*) N.A.Chapman Heartland Press 1999 ISBN 0 9517755.9.6 |
Freight Only - Volume 2: Southern & Central England Michael Rhodes & Paul Shannon Silver Link Publishing Ltd 1988 ISBN: 0947971246 |
GWR Stations, Layouts and Illustrations, Volume Four
C.R. Potts, Oxford Publishing Co, 1985, ISBN 0 86093 1919)
For those seeking to model layouts of any of the key stations in Worcestershire during GWR/BR days this is the definitive volume of this extensive but somewhat haphazard review of stations. Rather than provide layouts by area the author has chosen places seeming at random thus this volume include not only Worcester but also places as far afield as Yeovil, Corwen and Taplow. This criticism apart this volume in the series covers Droitwich, Great Malvern, Malvern Wells, (but not Malvern Link!), Hartlebury, Henwick, Honeybourne, Stourbridge and Worcester. As well as full descriptions of the locations there are ample black & white photographs and line drawings showing layouts of trackwork and buildings. A fascinating work that is obviously the product of much exhaustive research.
Industrial Railways and Locomotives of Worcestershire (*) Andrew C. Smith 2005 ISBN 1 901556 32 8 |
This book lists all the industrial sites and locomotives known to have been used in the County together with full details about all of the contractors who built the main line railways. There is also a section on numerous non-locomotive and hand worked lines as well as covering the present preserved railways in the county (n.b the book covers the current county not the one that existed in 1900).
Herefordshire & Worcestershire's Lost Railways (*) Peter Dale Stenlake Publishing Ltd 2004 ISBN 1 84033 313 8 |
Lost Lines - Birmingham and the Black Country (*) Nigel Welborne Ian Allan Ltd 2002, reprinted 2006 ISBN 0 7110 2844 3 |
Lost Railways of Herefordshire & Worcestershire (*) Leslie Oppitz Countryside Books 2002, reprinted 2004 ISBN 1 85306 754 7 |
Middleton Press
These books are part of the authors' mammoth project for 'Evolving the Ultimate Rail Encyclopedia'.
Geoffrey Body, MCIT British Rail (Western) & Avon-AngliA Publications & Services 1985 ISBN 0 905466 72 1 |
NE/SW Main Mine Album (*) John Chalcraft Ian Allan 1982 ISBN 0 7220 2272 9 |
John Chalcraft's book covers the sections of this line from Bristol and Cardiff to Leeds and York. Like all Ian Allan books of the period the printing is exemplary and some of John's photos display a magical quality.
The Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway (*)
(S.C.Jenkins & H.I.Quayle, The Oakwood Press, 1977)
This book provided essential background reading about the early years of the railways at Worcester. However the next book is better if you are seeking more modern information.
The Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway (*) John Boynton Mid England Books 2002 ISBN 0 9540839 0 3 |
The book is well printed and highly recommended.
Oxford Worcester & Wolverhampton - Portrait of a Famous Route (*)
(Bob Pixton, Runpast Publications, 2003 & 2004, Part One (Oxford to Worcester) ISBN 1 870754 59X; Part Two (Worcester to Wolverhampton) ISBN 1 870754 60 3)
This work, which is published in two volumes, is primarily a picture album with extended captions. All the photographs are in black and white and many have not previously been published but there is a smattering of familiar material also. It is the quality of the printing and choice of photos that makes these books an enjoyable experience. There are 96 A4 sized pages in each book.
The first half of Part One covers Oxfordshire before giving an extended selection of photos at Honeybourne. The book then makes its way down the main line to Worcester including a rather nice photo of a GWR bus at Pershore. Highlight of a selection of photos at Worcester is 'Hall' class No.7928 'Wolf Hall' passing the Metal Box sidings at Perry Wood.
Part Two has a further selection of photos at Worcester before making its way to Droitwich (represented by an ex LMSR 2-6-0 No.42822 in 1949), Stourbridge (where there is a fine photo of GWR 4-4-0 No.9073 taken in 1947), Dudley and Wolverhampton.
Some of the captions are way off the mark such as the suggestion in the text to Adrian Booth's photo on page 94 as of No.7025 'Sudeley Castle' outside the goods engine shed at Worcester that 'the larger (engine) shed has been demolished (by 1964)'. The goods engine shed was also the furthest one away from the Shrub Hill to Droitwich line not the nearest as stated in the text.
A similar error occurs on page 11 in Part Two in the caption to one of C.H.A. Townley's photos taken on 17th July 1953 of a loco emerging from Underwood's Coal Siding where it states that it shows 'the (goods engine) shed that was demolished in the 1950s' (despite it being in Adrian's picture in Part One of No.7025 'Sudeley Castle which was taken in 1964.
These historical quibbles apart this book was an most enjoyable read.
Past & Present Series
Several books in this series cover locations in Worcestershire and these are listed below.
Past & Present 5 - The West Midlands (*) REVIEW TO FOLLOW John Whitehouse & Geoff Dowling 1994 ISBN 1 858950 75 9 |
Past & Present 15- Oxfordshire (*) Lawrence Waters & Tony Doyle 1992 Silver Link Publishing ISBN 0 947971 87 4 | |
Past and Present 16 - Avon, Cotswolds and the Malverns (*) John Whitehouse & Geoff Dowling Past & Present Publishing Ltd 1993 and subsequent revised editions ISBN 1 85895 077 5 | |
Past and Present 33 - Worcestershire (*) Roger Siviter Past & Present Publishing Ltd 1999 ISBN 1 85895 161 5 | |
Past and Present 61 - Birmingham (*) John Whitehouse & Geoff Dowling Past & Present Publishing Ltd 2010 ISBN 1 85895 260 4 |
Railways of the Black Country - Volume One The Byways (*)
(Ned Williams, Uralia Press, 1984, ISBN 0 9500533 8 4)
This book is by same author as the one above and follows a similar pattern. There is a very good section about the lines around Halesowen.
Railways of the Cotswolds (*) Colin Maggs Peter Nicholson Publishing 1981 ISBN 0 907036 07 4 |
Steam Trails: Cotswolds and South Midlands(*) Michael Clemens Ian Allan 2007 ISBN 978 0 7110 3220 0 |
Rails through the Hills (*) John Boynton Mid England Books 1995 ISBN 0 952228 2 8 |
The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway (*)
(P.J. Long and Reverend W.V. Awdry, Alan Sutton Publishing, 1987, ISBN 0 862993 29 6).
This seems to be the definitive guide to this railway line and includes a wealth of detail, photographs and statistical information. Recommended.
The Birmingham Gloucester Line (*) Colin Maggs Line One Publishing Limited 1986 ISBN 0 907036 10 4 |
This book provides a history of the line, many historic photographs and good track plans.
Steam on the Great Western: Severn & Cotswolds (*)
(Rex Kennedy, Ian Allan, 1993, ISBN 0 7110 2064 7)
Like myself, Rex was educated at Worcester Royal Grammar School and he was very active throughout the last twenty years of steam at Worcester. The book contains a wealth of notes and photographs covering an area from Shrewsbury, through Worcester to Oxford. This book is a must for anyone interested in the railways of Worcestershire and the Great Western Railway.
Steam in Action: Castles (*)
(Lawrence Walters, Ian Allan, 1991, ISBN 0 7110 2006 X)
The author has drawn on the material held by the Great Western Trust at Didcot for this fascinating insight into the GWRs express locomotives. There are many photographs of the Worcester to Paddington express trains in the final years of steam coverage including some in colour. There are also extensive and useful lists in seven appendices.
This issue in Johns continuing series of books covers the Birmingham to Worcester and Hereford lines.
The Bromyard Railway (*) William H.Smith 1998 ISBN 0 953477 50 9 |
The Railways of Dudley (*)
(Ned Williams, Uralia Press, 1994, ISBN 1 898528 02 0)
The author can be relied upon to undertake comprehensive research about his subject and this book does not disappoint with its 80 pages of A4 being packed with interesting information. The section about the Earl of Dudley's Railways is particularly impressive.
The Railway at Kidderminster in the 1940s (*)
(A.J.Turley, published by the author, 2005, ISBN 0-9537869-2-7)
Within the 141 pages of A4 in the book can be found the most amazing wealth of information about Kidderminster's railways in the 1940s. The author lived near to the railway and seems to have spent every waking hour recording the scene with pen and paper and in photographs. There are numerous lists of locos seen and details about such rarely recorded events as the Hospital Trains during World War 2. The photographic selection is truly amazing and that alone would recommend this book. A must to anyone interested in the GWR
The Railways of Cadbury and Bourneville (*)
(Derek Sharpe, Bournbrook Publications, 2002, ISBN 0 954212 90 8)
The 100 page A4 size book contains detailed information about not just the Cadbury factory but also the Midland Railway engine shed at Bourneville. There is a lot of detailed and interesting information in this book that is well illustrated with a good selection of both black and white and colour photographs.
The Railways of Stourbridge (*)
(Clive Butcher, The Oakwood Press, 1998, ISBN 0 85361 533 0)
This is a work of monumental proportions weighing in at 256 pages with just about everything you need to know about the railways at Stourbridge. Highly enjoyable
The Severn Valley Railway
(Roger Siviter, The Nostalgia Collection, 1998, ISBN 1 85895 145 3)
This is another book that it is well worth getting hold of, even though some of the book covers areas outside of the county. The author provides good coverage by extending his remit to include stations from Kidderminster to Worcester. The bulk of the book comprises of 'before' and 'after' photos of locations on the Severn Valley Railway and the branch to Tenbury Wells.
This book are packed with photographs and information.
The Severn Valley Railway (*)
(John Marshall, David & Charles, 1989, ISBN 0946537 45 3)
This book is a detailed record of the history of the Sever Valley Railway from its origins beyond closure by BR and into the era of the new preservation company. The author draws on many sources of information and there is also a nice selection of black and white photographs. This book is recommended.
The Tenbury & Bewdley Railway (*)
(Keith Beddoes & William H.Smith, Wild Swan Publications, 1995, ISBN 1 874103 27 5)
This excellent book contains over 200 pages packed full of information and photographs about the history of this railway. The quality of the printing of the photographs is superb and this alone justifies the price of this book. Essential reading. Highly commended.
The West Midland Lines of the GWR (*)
(Keith M.Beck, Ian Allan, 1983, ISBN 0 7110 1211 3)
This book is now out of print but it is well worth trying to get hold of as it contains over 100 pages of photographs and text. It covers in detail the major lines in Worcestershire that later became part of the Great Western Railway.
Vanishing Points (*) Steam in Worcestershire Michael Dowty, Alan Sutton Publishing 1985 ISBN 0 86299 286 9
|
This is a brave effort and worth getting if you see it.
(S.L. Swingle & K. Turner, The Oakwood Press, Locomotion Papers No.73, 1987, ISBN 0 85361 333 8)
The Kinver Light Railways qualifies for an entry on this site by virtue of its southerly terminus being at Amblecote, Stourbridge. When time permits we will write a proper page on the Railway but until then you can do no better than obtain this definitive little volume with 52 pages of facts and figures and some really nice black & white photographs.
Rail Centres: No.9 - Oxford (*) Laurence Waters Ian Allan/Booklaw Publications 1986 ISBN 1-901945-19-7 |
Whishaw's Railways of Great Britain & Ireland (*)
This book was first printed in 1842 but was reprinted by David & Charles in 1969. It is nevertheless long since out of print and difficult to obtain. Francis Whishaw who wrote the original was a Civil Engineer and this book details many early railways from his viewpoint. He devotes nearly 14 pages to the Birmingham & Gloucester Railway and also include a line drawing of a locomotive. Very information information but the book is perhaps best referred to in a library archive.
The Worcester & Birmingham Canal (*)
(Revd. Alan White, Brewin Books, 2005, ISBN 1 85858 261 X £19.99)
Although the history of canals is outside the scope of this web site this is a fascinating reference work that will be of interest to many of our readers. Packed with maps and good quality photographs the author has produced the definitive work on this subject. There is a chapter devoted to the history of tramways that had links with the canal and some other historical information of interest to railway enthusiasts. The book is excellent value and highly recommended.
Worcester Locomotive Society (*)
'The Big Four' magazine
|
Most of the issues of this journal contain some information about the locomotives and railways of Worcestershire.
Worcestershire Railways (*)
(Mike Hitches, Sutton Publishing Ltd, 1997, ISBN 0 7509 1367 3)
This is an excellent book with many details of the history of railways in Worcestershire as they existed in 1900. There is a series of good photographs of many of the long closed stations and the accompanying narrative is both clear and informative. For information the photo at the bottom of page 113 is captioned Bransford Road in error for Newland Halt. There is a similar book by the same author on Warwickshire Railways. Recommended.
Other Reference Sources
British Steam Locomotive Builders (*), James W. Lowe, Guild Publishing, London, 1985, reprinted 1989, ISBN 0 905100 81 6.
This is an invaluable guild to all builders of locomotives in the UK. It is the only known published source of a list of locomotives built by the Worcester Engine Company.
City of Worcester Guides - 1960, 1980 and 1982 (*)
For general information about firms in Worcester
The Defence of Worcestershire and the southern approaches to Birmingham in World War 2. (*)
Mick Watts, Longaston Press, 2007, ISBN 978 1 904396 80 2.
This fascinating book provides an interesting insight into how it was planned to defend the county during World War 2 including a section on the RoF factory at Blackpole.
Magazine Articles and Other Publications
The following magazines and other publications contain very interesting articles and photographs:
Back Track
Summer 1997 - 'More Light on the Lickey' by C.P. Atkins and 'Banking after Bertha' by Bob Danes. Two articles over five pages with twelve photographs.
May 1996 - 'The Worcester Line' by Stanford Jacobs. Seven page article with ten photographs.
March & April 2002 - 'Happy End - Redditch' two-part article by Geoffrey Skelsey. Thirteen pages over two issues with eleven photographs.
August 2003 - 'Oxford to Worcester Line' by Michael Mensing featuring nine of his classic photographs.
January 2004 - 'On the Worcester Line Again' by Michael Mensing and Derek Penney. More classic photography.
May 2009 - The World of Worcester' by David Idle with three photographs.
August 2009 - 'More on the Malvern Line' by Michael Mensing. Seven classic photographs including two at Henwick Station.
British Railway Illustrated
Volume 4 April & May 1992 - 'Wandering Worsdells' by Chris Hawkins includes photographs of LNER locomotives at Worcester in the 1940s.
Volume 7 No.2, November 1997 - '72 hours at Worcester' (from 8/7/58) by Ian Sixsmith. This extensive article is full of fascinating maps, photographs and technical notes. (*)
September 2000 - Last Days for the Hereford's August 1963. 'Hymeks' and 'Castles' at Paddington
April & May 2005 - Two extensive articles by Bryan Wilson about the operation of the Lickey Incline.
Volume 13 No.10, July 2004 - 'Urchin Tales' by Adrian Booth. Article about a rail tour to Worcester in 1964. *)
British Railway Journal
No.11 Spring 1986 - 'Birmingham & Gloucester Railway and the Lickey Incline' by Peter Truman. Written article with eleven classic photographs.
No.28 Autumn 1989 - 'Going Great Western in the 1940s' by V.R. Webster includes photographs of Worcester sheds in the 1940s.
No.45 Winter 1993 - ' Upton-upon-Severn' by Roger Carpenter. 11 page article with 16 photographs.
(Wild Swan Publications Ltd)
Spring
1995
No.14. Worcester Shrub Hill. Four
photographs.
Spring
1998 No.26 Pershore Fruit and Vegetable Traffic by Harold
Tuppen. Ten-page article with twelve superb photographs.
Spring
2004 No.50 Worcester
Shrub Hill in the 1930s and 1940s by
Harold Tuppen. Comprehensive forty-page article with maps. Details
about the engine sheds, yards, Wylds Lane and the Vinegar Works
branch. Thirty-five photographs.
Spring 2005 No.54 (*). This issue of the Journal contains a detailed article covering fifteen pages about
the 'Vinegar Works' branch line in Worcester. One or two errors have crept into what us
otherwise an accurate and excellent description of the history of the line eg the map on page 314 suggests that the Vulcan (Iron) Works was
situated on the site of the Omnibus Depot whereas the original buildings were immediately to the south on the depot on the other
side of Cromwell Street also the suggestion that he branch line crossed Pheasant Street twice is in error: the correct sequence of
roads crossed being Shrub Hill Road, Padmore Street and Pheasant Street. The article contains an excellent aerial photograph of the
Worcester Engine Works taken in 1934 but alas provides no light on the location of Heenan & Froude's engine shed.
Summer and Autumn 2011 (Nos.79 & 80) Honeybourne Junction by Richard Parker, John Copsey and Chris Turner.
Sixty-one pages of written material over two issues with maps and lists of station staff etc and thirty-two photographs. Recommended.
Winter 2015 No.93 (*). This issue features a twelve page article on Worcester Running Shed in the 1950s and 60s written by Brian Penney and Richard Parker. Includes a double page line drawing of the depot ared and nine facinating photographs. Commended.
The Railway Magazine (*)
Over the many years that The Railway Magazine has been published the railways of Worcestershire have not featured very often but when they have it has usually been with very interesting and informative articles. In particular the following issues are to be commended:
August 1935 - a letter from H. Pearce Higgins about the Bromsgrove boiler explosion of 1840.(*) See this page for details
July
1953 - 'Stoke works: An unusual station' by William Skillern, a
five page written article with one photograph from the 'up 'platform
and a full page map of the railways in the Stoke Works area showing
the present junction (1953) and the railways to the salt works as
authorised in 1845. (*)
September
1953 -
five page article titled 'The Railways of Halesowen' by P.B.
Whitehouse with a map of the railways serving Halesowen and four photographs.
December
1953 - six page article on the Worcester, Bromyard &
Leominster Railway by C.R. Clinker with a history of this line from
1853 to 1953. Includes photos at Bromyard Station, Suckley, Rowden
Mill Station (closed by then) and of No.4573 at Knightwick on 22nd
August 1953. (*)
July
1958 - Details of a run from Paddington to Worcester
logged by Cecil J. Allen.
April
1959 - three page article on the Vinegar Works Branch Railway by
Anthony A.Vickers. This is a well known and researched article much
quoted from by other sources. Illustrated with photos from the
author's own collection including one showing the lifting bascule
type bridge. (*)
July
and August 1959 - These two issues feature J.E. Norris's
definitive article on The Worcester & Hereford Railway. Well
illustrated with photographs from various sources. There are good
pictures of No.4153 crossing the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and
of No.2938 'Corsham Court' at Malvern Link. (*)
October
1960 -
Notes and tow photographs about the removal of the Butts Branch
bridge at Croft Road, Worcester.
July
1962
-
Two photographs showing Hinton and Ashton under Hill stations on the
Ashchurch to Evesham line.
July
1964 - Notes about ex-GWR 'Castle' class 4-6-0 No.5054 'Earl of Ducie'.
September
1971 - Article called 'A Summer Saturday on the Lickey' by
Geoffrey Bannister with photographs of diesel locomotives on the incline.
January
1990 - seven pages and thirteen photographs about ex-GWR
'Castle' class 4-6-0 steam locomotives on Paddington line trains and
Worcester sheds.
Trains Illustrated to 1962; Modern Railways from 1963 (*)
July 1952 - Group photograph of railwaymen at Worcester in front of No.6334.
January to March 1957 - 'Birmingham Bristol Main Line of the Midland' (three parts) by G. Freeman Allan. 21 pages of maps and photographs with details about all of the stations.
August 1959 - A Worcester Industrial Line' by T.A.C. Rudway. Short article with two photographs about the Vinegar Works line.
February 1954 - 'The Cleobury Mortimer & Ditton Priors Light Railway' by Geoff Bannister. Short article with photographs.
September 1958 - "The Longbridge, Halesowen & Old Hill Branch' by S.L. Jacobs. Good article with six photographs and map.
May 1961 - 'Ashchurch, Upton-upon-Severn, Tewkesbury Branch Services under the Axe'. Photographs of stations threatened with closure.
September 1965 - 'Diesel Traction on the Western'. Photographs at Worcester shed and Newland.
September 1973 - 'A Question of Grant Aid' (Worcester to Hereford) by John Boynton (*)
November 1977 - 'Reflections At Worcester' by John Boynton. (*)
December 1989 - 'New Life in the West Midlands' by John Boynton. (*)
May 1993 - 'Regional Railways Central' by James Abbott. (*)
March 1996 - 'West Midlands Growth' by Mark Causebrook. (*)
Patent No.17195 of 1895 (*)
The patent was accepted on 26th October 1895 and was called "Dutton and Neville's Apparatus for Ensuring Safety on Single Lines of railway". Ref: Patent No.17195 (copy held in the Archives of the MIAC).
Railway Bylines
October & November 1997 - Stourport Power Station by Adrian Booth, Written article over eight pages with eleven photographs showing an aerial view of the site, with various views of the motive power and site views.
Railway Bylines Annual No.5
(ISBN 1 903266 24-6)
This publication covers many different railway systems across the U.K. but Annual No.5 features a definitive article titled 'Branch Lines of Halesowen' by Oswald J.Barker. The author devotes over 20 pages to recording the history of this railway and lavishly illustrates the article with many maps, diagrams and photographs collected for a variety of sources. This is a must for anyone interested in the Halesowen Railway.
Severn Valley Railway News (*) Severn Valley Railway Company Periodic Magazine |
Railway World
February 1958. 240 miles on the footplate of a Castle by Pat Dalton. A written article on an up & down run, Worcester-Paddington-Worcester featuring Harry Cureton, Inspector Wade, driver Widdowsan & fireman Dancox, written over five pages with six photographs showing 4-6-0 'Castle' class steam locomotive No.7007 'Great Western' outside Worcester passenger shed and three express trains at Pershore and Stoulton.
Steam Days
Most issues of this popular magazine contain interesting items and articles that refer, possibly indirectly to railways in Worcester. The following are of particular note:
May
1993.
A Castle on the Worcester Road by
Colin J. Chunchen. A four-page article with six photographs on the
Paddington Expresses written by the author who had access to the
footplate to accompany Driver Crocker and fireman Dennis from Oxford
to Worcester and also driver Smith and fireman Smith using No.7037
'Swindon' and No.7005 'Sir Edward Elgar'.
July
1993
& August 1993. Steam on the Lickey Incline (*)
by Derek Harrison. A two-parter reflecting on the history and
subsequent development of Britain's steepest main-line incline. Part
one covers the period to 1947 with later history in part two.
December
1993.
Steam Days at Worcester. Rex
Kennedy recalls steam at Worcester in eleven pages with eighteen
photographs and a map.
September
1994.
Main Line Steam - Decline and Fall by
Michael Harris. Ten page article with sixteen photographs about the
Paddington, Worcester and Hereford services.
December
1996. The Malverns by Rex Kennedy. Nine page article with
nineteen photographs about the three stations at Malvern.
July
1998. Life before Preservation - Severn Valley Railway (*)
by Michael Harris. This article is superbly illustrated with a wide
variety of interesting views to accompany a very readable text.
January
1999. The Bromyard Branch by
Stanley Jenkins. Twelve page article with sixteen photographs.
March
2000. The Great
Western 'Castles' (*)
by John Hodge. This is a generic history of the 'Castles' including
some nice photographs of Worcester based examples.
January
2001. Gloucester GWR and BR Western Region (*)
by Stanley Jenkins. A lengthy history of the development of railways
in nearby Gloucestershire which includes a superb photograph by W.
Potter showing Horton Road shed on 16th October 1965.
October
2001. Ashchurch
to Malvern. A large article by David Postle about the Ashchurch
to Malvern railway. (*)
December
2001. Steam Days at Hereford by
William H. Smith and Gordon Wood. Comprehensive article.
February
2002. The Vinegar
Works Express by
Rex Kennedy and Howard Griffiths. Howard, a former 85A firemen used
to fire on the branch line and so this article provides a good
perspective on the difficulty of working the steeply graded line.
Four pages with seven photographs.
May
2004. Castle Swansong (*).
Account by Andrew Wilson of the special high-speed run between
Paddington and Plymouth on 9th May 1964. There are some superb
photographs to accompany the article.
December
2005 Hereford & Worcester weeds & all. Chris Gammel
travels on the last train over the Worcester to Bromyard line and
then on to Leominster in 1958 - plus other lines in the area, written
over five pages with six photographs showing Presteigne station, 4571
on the SLS special last train, Easton Court, Kington, Ludlow and
Wooferton stations.
July
2006. Steam on the Lickey Incline.
Photographic
feature in colour over eight pages with fifteen photographs.
September
2006. Special Working on the Redditch Line by Bob Yate. Eight
page article with fifteen photographs.
February
2007. Steam Days in Colour on the Worcester to Oxford line. Eight
pages consisting of fifteen photographs.
June
2008. Summer Saturdays at Hereford
(*)
by Steve Bartlett. Steve recalls Hereford in the summer of 1963 with
its numerous Summer Saturday holiday excursions over the North &
West route interspersed with the last express passenger workings for
Worcester's 'Castle class' 4-6-0s.
November
2009
(*).
There
are two articles of interest in this issue. Firstly 'A Summer Saturday
at Paddington' by
Alan Teatherton gives details of locomotive movements in July 1957 -
including those on Hereford & Worcester express services. There
is also an interesting and detailed article titled 'Gloucester and
Cheltenham Revisited' by Steve Bartlett.
November
2011.
Article
by ex-85A engineman William Roberts with a selection of his paintings.
December
2011. The Worcester to Hereford Railway by David Postle. An
interesting article with thirty nice photographs.
November
2012. The GW in Worcestershire - 1940s
by
Rex Kennedy. This fourteen page article recalls the author's early
days as a railway enthusiast from World War 2 through to the first
years of Nationalisation around Worcester, Evesham, Tenbury Wells,
the Black Country and Malvern. 31 black and white photographs
gathered together from various sources. Recommended reading.
March
1990. Banking on the Lickey
by J.D. Wood. Five-page article with six photographs.
June
1990 (*).
85A home of Vinegar Castle by John Tandy. Four-page
article with seven black and white photographs
by leading photographers such as R.C.Riley.
March
1991. The Evergreen Castle 4-6-0s by
Clem Hussey. Three-page article with five photographs of Worcester engines.
April
1992.
Railway Roundabout
Story by
Patrick B. Whitehouse. Article and photographs about the filming of
No.5054 'Earl of Ducie' at Honeybourne in 1964.
May
1997. Bromsgrove and the Lickey by Clem Hussey. Six pages with
eight photographs.
March
1999. Lickey Preview and April 1999 The Lickey -
England's most infamous Incline
by John Edgington. Ten pages into total with fourteen
photographs and traffic notes.
June
2001. Two-page colour spread of No.7031 'Cromwells Castle' (85A
engine) at Paddington.
April
2004. Flying Carpets from Kidderminster by
Paul Chancellor and Brian Moore. Six pages with ten photographs.
July 2005. The Castle Farewell. Four-page article over four pages.
December 2005. 'Hereford & Worcester weeds & all. Chris Gammel on
the last train over the Worcester to Bromyard line and then on to
Leominster in 1958 - plus other lines in the area, written over five
pages with six photographs showing Presteigne station (4571 on the
SLS special last train), Easton Court, Kington, Ludlow and Wooferton stations.
November 1995. Return to Worcester by Clem Hussey (*). Full colour article with many photographs.
March 2007. Hiking up from Honeybourne by Brian Hicks. Five pages with eight photographs.
Worcestershire Rail freight In The 1980s by David J. Hayes. A two-part freight feature published in 2014 TRACTION magazines issues 221 & 222 looking at freight traffic passing through Worcester Shrub Hill in the 1980s, but also mentioning the 1970s and 1990s periods. The articles include time tables and have been richly illustrated using a splendid selection of pictures provided by friends including Paul Dorney. Recommmended.
The Severn Valley Railway Guide Book (*)
The first edition of this guide was published by the preservation body in September 1968 and is an invaluable reference in its own right. It contains 60 pages of notes and photographs which by their very nature of of historic interest. The gradient profile of the line is very interesting as are the sketch maps of the stations on the line but perhaps of most interest are the superb selection of photographs many covers the BR era.
Worcester News - 28th November 2005 (*)
Article by Mike Pryce recounting the 1963 theft of one of the nameplates from 'Castle class' 4-6-0 steam locomotive No.7013 'Bristol Castle'. The locomotive was on shed at Worcester at the time of the theft which must have involved several people acting in conspiratorial fashion as the size and weight of the plate would have needed at least two people to carry it away. The nameplate has never been found and nor have the culprits been apprehended.
Worcester Rail Open Days Souvenir Programmes (*)
On 2nd May 1993 and 22nd May 1994 Souvenir Programmes were produced by BR Regional Railways on the occasion of the second and third Worcester 'Open Days. Both programmes are collectible and contain a mixture of notes, anecdotes and interesting hotographs.
Andrew Smith