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LMS Route: Birmingham West Suburban Railway

Bournville Station

Bournville Station (33) Bournville Shed (142)

Bournville Station was opened in 1876 on the Midland Railway's Birmingham and West Suburban Railway single track branch line as Stirchley Street and comprised a modest timber ticket office and platform. In 1880 the station name was changed to Stirchley Street and Bournville reflecting the Cadbury family's decision in 1879 to build their new chocolate factory and model village nearby under the direction of George Cadbury. The change of name occurred at a time when the Midland decided to use the the Birmingham and West Suburban Railway as an alternative means to gain access to New Street station from Gloucester and the station was upgraded to two platforms when the line was doubled in 1885.

This required the construction of a new southbound platform being erected in the very narrow space between the existing line and the Birmingham-Worcester canal hence the rather narrow platform! By 1888 in recognition of the importance of Bournville to the local economy the station name was changed again by placing the Bournville name first to read Bournville and Stirchley Street. By 1904 such was the fame of the Cadbury works and its complete domination of the local economy the Midland changed the station name again by removing the original name altogether with the station now simply Bournville. The station was never equipped with a goods yard or a set of sidings although the further development of industry in the area led to a number of private sidings being connected with the main line, the most famous being Cadbury's own extensive railway works.

Bournville Station

The only known photo of the Birmingham West Suburban Railway's Stirchley Street station, taken in 1879
Ref: mrb1436
Postcard
The only known photo of the Birmingham West Suburban Railway's Stirchley Street station, taken in 1879
Bournville station, seen through the arch of the bridge carrying Maryvale Road, on Sunday 12th September 1954
Ref: mrb1485
Postcard
Bournville station looking in the direction of New Street station with the main buildings on the up platform
Looking towards New Street from Maryvale Road bridge with the footpath and steps leading to the station in the centre
Ref: mrb1482
Anon
Looking north from Maryvale Road bridge with the footpath and steps leading to the station in the centre
An Edwardian view of the station with the station buildings being located on the up, the original, platform
Ref: mrb489
Postcard
An Edwardian view of the station with the station buildings being located on the up, the original, platform
Close up showing that Bournville's staff decorate the platform with flower beds, boxes and tubs
Ref: mrb489a
Postcard
Close up showing that Bournville's staff decorate the platform with flower beds, boxes and tubs

Close up of up platform showing it was in fact two buildings butted against each other with each retaining a hip roof
Ref: mrb489b
Postcard
Close up of up platform showing there were two buildings next to each other with each retaining a hip roof
Another view of the new platform canopy in this view of the station, taken in the late fifties
Ref: mrb1488
Anon
Another view of the new platform canopy in this view of the station, taken in the late fifties
A late 1950s view of Bournville station showing the new extension to the down platform's passenger shelter
Ref: mrb687
Anon
A late 1950s view of Bournville station showing the new extension to the down platform's passenger shelter
An elevated view showing the station's ground level booking office on the right and Station Lodge on the left
Ref: mrb1483
Cadbury Brothers
An elevated view showing the station's ground level booking office on the right and Station Lodge on the left
Close up showing Bournville station's booking office and the steps and lift from ground level to the platform
Ref: mrb1483a
Cadbury Brothers
Close up showing Bournville station's booking office and the steps and lift from ground level to the platform

Bournville Station and Maryvale Road bridge with Cadbury's main works in background circa 1911
Ref: mrb1484
Cadbury Brothers
Bournville Station and Maryvale Road bridge with Cadbury's main works in background circa 1911
An elevated close up view of Bournville station which remained more or less the same for one hundred years
Ref: mrb1484a
Cadbury Brothers
An elevated close up view of Bournville station which remained more or less the same for one hundred years
Close up showing the footpath from Maryvale Road which ran to the shed, the only pedestrian access to the shed
Ref: mrb1484b
Cadbury Brothers
Close up showing the footpath from Maryvale Road which ran to the shed, the only pedestrian access to the shed
Bournville station, seen through the arch of the bridge carrying Maryvale Road, on Sunday 12th September 1954
Ref: mrb474
DJ Norton
Bournville station, seen through the arch of the bridge carrying Maryvale Road, on Sunday 12th September 1954
Close up of Bournville station, seen through the arch of the bridge carrying Maryvale Road, looking towards New Street station
Ref: mrb474a
DJ Norton
Close up of Bournville station, seen through the arch of Maryvale Road bridge looking towards New Street station

Bournville station photographed from the southern end of the down platform on Sunday 11th March 1956
Ref: mrb477
DJ Norton
Bournville station viewed from the southern end of the down platform on Sunday 11th March 1956
Looking south from Bournville station with Maryvale Road bridge in the foreground on Monday 10th June 1963
Ref: mrb478
DJ Norton
Looking south from Bournville station with Maryvale Road bridge in the foreground on Monday 10th June 1963
Close up showing the passenger steps which led up from Bournville station's platform to Maryvale Road
Ref: mrb478a
DJ Norton
Close up showing the passenger steps which led up from Bournville station's platform to Maryvale Road

Bournville Road bridge

A Cadbury Brothers Scammell 'mechanical horse' passes beneath heavily graffitied Bournville Lane bridge in 1936
Ref: mrb1481
Cadbury Brothers
A Cadbury Brothers Scammell 'mechanical horse' passes beneath heavily graffitied Bournville Lane bridge
An Edwardian view showing another view of the same side of the rail underbridge on Bournville Lane
Ref: mrb488
Postcard
An Edwardian view showing another view of the same side of the rail underbridge on Bournville Lane
View of the low bridge which was strengthened to carry the railway and canal over Bournville Lane
Ref: mrb1479
Anon
A 1950s view of the low bridge which was strengthened to carry the railway and canal over Bournville Lane
The railway bridge over Bournville Lane and main station entrance, photographed on Monday 10th June 1963
Ref: mrb476
DJ Norton
The railway bridge over Bournville Lane and main station entrance, on Monday 10th June 1963

Miscellaneous

An unidentified ex-LMS 4F 0-6-0 is shunting wagons at the closed Bournville engine shed site on Wednesday 5th July 1961
Ref: mrb666
DJ Norton
An ex-LMS 4F 0-6-0 is shunting wagons at the closed Bournville engine shed site on Wednesday 5th July 1961
Bournville Signal Box in colour seen from the access path to the engine shed on Wednesday 6th June 1956
Ref: mrb676
DJ Norton
Bournville Signal Box in colour seen from the access path to the engine shed on Wednesday 6th June 1956
A wintry view looking south towards Bournville signal box, taken on Monday 12th January 1959
Ref: mrb1490
DJ Norton
A wintry view looking south towards Bournville signal box, taken on Monday 12th January 1959
A view of a Cadburys seaside excursion train, standing at Bournville station's up platform in 1912
Ref: mrb1487
Cadbury Brothers
A view of a Cadburys seaside excursion train, standing at Bournville station's up platform in 1912
The third excursion train of Cadbury employees to the White City, headed by a Johnson 0-6-0, stands at the up platform
Ref: mrb1480
Cadbury Brothers
The third excursion train to the White City, headed by a Johnson 0-6-0, stands at the up platform

An LMS Cadbury's excursion to Bournville has arrived at the down platform, headed by an ex-MR  3P 4-4-0
Ref: mrb1563
Anon
An LMS Cadbury's excursion to Bournville has arrived at the down platform, headed by an ex-MR 3P 4-4-0

Maps and Diagrams

View of the gradient post near Proof House Junction showing the change in the descent towards New Street station
Ref: mr_generic1430b
Midland Railway
Part of MR Distance Diagram dated 1913 showing the two routes south from New Street to Kings Norton
An 1882 Ordnance Survey Map showing the location of Bournville station prior to the erection of the shed
Ref: mrb1510
National Library of Scotland
An 1882 Ordnance Survey Map showing the location of Bournville station prior to the erection of the shed
Ordnance Survey Map of Bournville Station and Cadbury's works dated 1902 and published in 1905
Ref: mrb1548
National Library of Scotland
Ordnance Survey Map of Bournville Station and Cadbury's works dated 1902 and published in 1905
Ordnance Survey Map of Bournville Station and Cadbury's works dated 1913 and published in 1921
Ref: mrb1547
National Library of Scotland
Ordnance Survey Map of Bournville Station and Cadbury's works dated 1913 and published in 1921
Location Map of Bournville station showing its relationship to Cadbury works and Bournville Lane
Ref: bournville_map
A Doherty
Location Map of Bournville station showing its relationship to Cadbury works and Bournville Lane