GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

GWR Route: Hatton to Stratford on Avon

Wilmcote Station: gwrwil654

View looking towards Bearley station of the original single mixed gauge station and goods yard which opened in October 1860. This view was taken just prior to the doubling of the line between Honeybourne to the south of Stratford upon Avon and what was to become Bearley junction with the North Warwickshire line, part of the development of the Great Western Railway's new route to the West of England. The station was opened on 9th October for goods traffic and 10th October for passenger traffic. From the outset the line was worked by the Great Western Railway but it was not until 1st July 1863 that the line was officially absorbed into the GWR with the company paying £135-worth of Great Western ordinary shares for £100-worth of Stratford upon Avon shares. Although all regular trains on the branch were standard gauge from the 1st January 1863 the line retained its mixed gauge for a further six years and it is thought were occasionally used for broad gauge special trains.

back