Warwickshire Railways: Book Review

Monument Lane Loco shed by Tony Higgs

For over ten years Tony Higgs researched the history of Monument Lane loco shed. Monument Lane existed for around 10 years, having opened in the 1850s. It was responsible for both passenger and freight services, the pick of which were mainline trains between Birmingham, London, Liverpool and Manchester. Local services operated across the West Midlands as far as Staffordshire and Northamptonshire, whilst the depot was also responsible for a number of freight services around the Birmingham area, including the well known Harborne branch.

The shed was the first in Birmingham to operate diesel services, running them alongside steam from 1956. The text is supported by many rare photographs of locomotives and buildings, which trace the history of Monument Lane from Victorian times to the 1960s.

Chapter 1 - The history of the shed
Chapter 2 - Main line workings
Chapter 3 - Local and secondary passenger services
Chapter 4 - Goods and shunting duties
Chapter 5 - Monument Lane engines
Chapter 6 - The men
Chapter 7 - Anecdotes and incidents
Appendix 1 - Monument Lane locomotive allocations
Appendix 2 - Monument Lane sample duties
Appendix 3 - Drivers by link in 1951
Appendix 4 - Monument Lane locomotive workings Summer 1955
Appendix 5 - Monument Lane Local trip and shunting workings 1883 and 1938

Cardcover, 95 pages, 104 Black and White Photographs and Illustrations

Brewin Books, ISBN 978 1 85858 435 5 - Price £11.95 plus £1.40 p&p. from Tony Higgs at 22 Maxstoke Close, Matchborough West, Redditch, B98 0EJ

A thorough piece of research that balances historical detail with personal recollections. A must for all LNWR/LMS/BR railway enthusiasts whether from Birmingham or not. Thoroughly recommended - Mike Musson

Tony Higgs' new book on Monument Lane provides a concise and well-illustrated history of the depot... The choice of photography has been well-considered, using good-quality images printed in sensible sizes with detailed captions... For enthusiasts of the area, the LNWR or even the LMS, this book makes a good read." Steam Railway Magazine - March 2009

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