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LMS Route: Nuneaton to Birmingham New Street

Forge Mills Station

(Coleshill from 9th July 1923)

Forge Mills station (for Water Orton, Coleshill and Castle Bromwich) these places being carried on the name board before those stations were opened, was opened by the Birmingham and Derby Junction Railway (B&DJR) on 10th February 1842 when the new line, the Birmingham extension from Whitacre Junction to Lawley Street, was opened. It was one of five stations opened between Tamworth and Birmingham including Lawley Street, the terminus, with the other stations being: Castle Bromwich, Water Orton and Wilnecote. The station was renamed 'Forge Mills for Coleshill' on 1st November 1849 a name it retained until 1st April 1904 when it reverted back to Forge Mills. It retained this name until 9th July 1923 when the London Midland Scottish Railway (LMS), the successor to the B&DJR, renamed the station 'Coleshill', whilst the station that originally carried this name on the Whitacre to Hampton line took the name Maxstoke. It has been stated that the stations were built in part to boost passenger numbers to counter flagging passenger numbers caused by a number of issues firstly with the London and Birmingham Railway and later the Midland Counties Railway over running rights and competition, respectively.

Forge Mills retained a simple one siding goods yard suitable for a rural station together with a refuge siding, both accessed via the down line. The station was closed on 4th March 1968. Behind the station and connecting to the running lines in the 1960s was a large industrial gasification plant with a complex of sidings provided. Today the sidings have been lifted and the old buildings, with their mass of piping, are now demolished. Two sidings had been provided by 1938 for local power stations. The first one was built in the late 1920s. According to both volumes of the Railway Clearing House's 1894 and 1929 Handbook of Railway Stations, Kingsbury station provided the general public and businesses with limited services. These were recorded as: Goods traffic and Passenger & Parcels traffic (G,P). There were no goods shed nor initially cranage facilities provided in the goods yard so merchants would either have to man handle the loading/unloading of goods themselves or, if necessary, bring in a mobile crane. This situation seems to have been remedied later as by March 1956 a small fixed hand-operated crane was in place as can be seen in image 'mrforg1870a'. The goods yard remained open until 6th July 1964 when it was closed.

Memories

Graham Martin writes 'a Mr Perkins was the last station master at the station before closure'. Jim Stacy adds, I took over his job as signal lampman when he moved up to shunter at Hams Hall. Mrs Shooter, there's a person you could not forget.. and dear Ruby.. May as well mention the Perkins children.. Chris, Kathleen and the youngest Mary. Looking at image 'mrforg1846', the Tanks at the Lugi were LPG gas, The building behind the 3 car stop sign with the door open was where we would tipple the 16 and 21 ton mineral wagons and the longer building along side it was where we dropped the bottoms of the 21 ton hoppers. The coal then made it's way via those conveyor belts to the top building, (centre of picture). The small coal would be diverted half way up to the gasifiers into the boiler house hopper'.

Mike Downes adds, 'Mr Perkins the Station Master lived in the new station house with his wife, daughter Mary and katherine. The house was on the Hams Hall side of the crossing. We all lived in fear of him but still played on the platform riding the baggage carts. The porters were Ruby and Jim Stacy whose daughter still lives in Coleshill he used to arrive to work on a BSA Bantam. We spent many a night in the hut lighting the Tilley lamps to hang round the station in winter. The ticket office was manned by Mrs Shooter lovely old lady. The parcels store had a large scales inside which we used to weigh ourselves on ,the parcels were delivered on flat single axle trailers pulled by 3 wheeled Scarabs we used to ride on the back and help the driver (fun days not allowed now ) The first class waiting room had a roaring fire in winter and soft seats, we used to sneak in there in the winter, when I think about it now we as an Irish Family must have been Mr Perkins worst nightmare, but his wife always fed us cakes, Dad always told us she came form Somerset that's why she spoke funny. By the Norton Arms pub ran by Mr Gregory was the flour Mill ran by Mr Hollyfield, his daughter works in Coleshill as a dentist.'

Accident at Forge Mills on 8th of June 1844

An accident occurred at Forge Mills on the 8th of June 1844. The following information was provided to the Board of Trade, 'On the arrival of the up mail at Forge Mills Station, notice was given to the engine driver that several cows had gone up the line; he travelled slowly, and shortly came up with them, but whilst attempting to remove them the down mail approached, and before it could be stopped the cattle were run over. An engine was sent back from Birmingham, with assistance, to clear the line. During this period the cattle had travelled 2½ miles from the place of accident; being tender first, and the driver not expecting them so soon, six more were killed. It appears they had strayed from a field near to Forge Mills, and got on the railway at a level crossing. The directors have now put on a night watchman, and have directed a house to be built at the gates for his residence'.

An Edwardian view of Forge Mills station showing the up platform which accommodated the principal buildings
Ref: mrforg395
Postcard
An Edwardian view of Forge Mills station showing the up platform which accommodated the principal buildings
Close up of the distinctive MR Forge Mills station name board and the equally distinctive MR fencing with diagonal slats
Ref: mrforg395a
Postcard
Close up of the distinctive MR station name board and the equally distinctive MR fencing with diagonal slats
Close up of the station which included the station master's house, booking office, hall and waiting rooms
Ref: mrforg395b
Postcard
Close up of the station which included the old station master's house, booking office, hall and waiting rooms
A Class 104 Diesel Multiple Unit has just departed Coleshill station for Birmingham New Street in late 1960s
Ref: mrforg1846
P Shoesmith
A Class 104 Diesel Multiple Unit departing Coleshill station for Birmingham New Street in late 1960s
Now named Coleshill, the station is now dominated by the West Midlands Gas Company's Lurgi Gas Plant
Ref: mrforg1056
P Lee
Now named Coleshill, the station is now dominated by the West Midlands Gas Company's Lurgi Gas Plant

Looking towards Whitacre Station with the up platform on the left and the down platform on the right in March 1956
Ref: mrforg1870
Anon
Looking towards Whitacre Station with the up platform on the left and the down platform on the right
Close up showing the station's simple goods yard which consisted of a refuge siding giving access to a single siding
Ref: mrforg1870a
Anon
Close up of the station's goods yard which consisted of a refuge siding giving access to a single siding
Forge Mills, later Coleshill, station's down passenger waiting room and a secure store room
Ref: mrforg1845
RS Carpenter
Forge Mills, later Coleshill, station's brick built down passenger waiting room and secure store room
View of Coleshill Signal Box with Hams Hall CEGB sidings signal in the foreground on 3rd August 1969
Ref: mrforg1058
B Bill
View of Coleshill Signal Box with Hams Hall CEGB sidings signal in the foreground on 3rd August 1969
Forge Mills, later Coleshill, station's down passenger waiting room and a secure store room
Ref: mrforg1886
M Downes
Sketches of the front elevation and a plan showing the layout of the main building on the down platform

Ordnance Survey Maps and Miscellaneous

An 1886 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Forge Mills station and its goods yard
Ref: mrforg1847
National Library of Scotland
An 1886 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Forge Mills station and its goods yard
A 1924 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Forge Mills station and its goods yard
Ref: mrforg1057
National Library of Scotland
A 1924 25 inch to the mile Ordnance Survey map showing Forge Mills station and its goods yard
Illustration of the variety of the oil lamps employed along the route between Castle Bromwich and Stockingford
Ref: mr-misc001
J Griffiths
Illustration of the variety of the oil lamps employed along the route between Castle Bromwich and Stockingford
A MR single Third Class Ticket costing 1d to travel between Forge Mills and Whitacre station issued on 8th January 1918
Ref: mrforg1871
Anon
A MR 3rd Class Ticket costing 1d to travel between Forge Mills and Whitacre station issued on 8th January 1918

Extracts from Parliamentary Reports

21st May 1869
Parliamentary Papers, House of Commons and Command, Volume 59

A Superintendent in the Midland Railways works department was ran over and killed near Forge Mill from his own want of caution.

Appendix No 56 to Report of the Commissioners of Railways

The issue of level crossings at Forge Mills and Coleshill (on the Whitacre to Hampton Line) generated a considerable amount of correspondence between CB Adderley, the MP for North Staffordshire; HD Harness, Captain of the Royal Engineers on behalf of the Commissioners of Railways and JF Bell, Company Secretary of the Midland Railway. The correspondenmce is seen below starting with Mr Adderley's first letter of complaint.

March 9, 1848
From: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club
To: the Railway Commissioners

Gentlemen, Hearing that it is the intention of the Midland Railway Company to apply for your sanction to continue certain level crossings where bridges are demanded over their line, both at Forge Mills station and at Coleshill station, the one between Birmingham and Whitacre, the other between Hampton and Whitacre on the Derby line, I beg to enter my protest, on the part of the public, against the application, and I hope you will have the goodness to give us, who oppose it, a hearing before you give any sanction to the continuation of the level crossings.

March 10, 1848
From: HD Harness, Captain RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant, relative to certain level crossings upon the Midland Railway, and to inform you that, if any application respecting them be made by the Company of the nature anticipated by you, the Commissioners will communicate with you on the subject. I am, however, to inform you, that the Commissioners have no power to sanction any level crossing not authorized by the Company’s Act, nor to require the substitution of a bridge for a level crossing unless on the application of the Company.

April 4, 1848
From: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

Sir, I have called, unfortunately a quarter of an hour too late, to consult you about a certain level crossing on the Midland Counties Railway at Forge Mills station, between Birmingham and Derby. By that Company’s Act they have no right to keep that level crossing without the sanction of magistrates, which they have never obtained. The public have a right to demand a bridge. At the same time, if they would carry a good road up to their station on each side, and make the crossing at the station, there would be less danger. I have myself offered to stand half the expense of such accesses, besides giving the land required. They stand out, hoping to drive me to a still larger offer, which I cannot and will not make. I therefore must, on the part of the public, demand a bridge over their present level crossing. I have repeatedly spoken and written, in vain, to Mr. Hudson. Constant accidents happen at their crossings, which are only pretended to be guarded. I wished to consult you how to proceed, and whether your Commission enables you to look into the question.

April 6, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: The Secretary, of the Midland Railway Company, Derby,

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to inform you that they have received a letter from Mr. C. B. Adderlev, complaining of a level crossing near the Forge Mills station on the Birmingham and Derby Railway, which he states has not been duly authorized by two magistrates, as required by the Act; and I am to request you to inform them whether this be the case.

April 6, 1948
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th instant, complaining of an unauthorized level crossing, near the Forge Mills station on the Birmingham anti Derby Railway, anil to inform you that they have caused a communication to be made to the Midland Railway Company upon the subject, I have, &c., H. D. Harness, Capt. Royal Engineers.

April 17, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: The Secretary, of the Midland Railway Company, Derby,

I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to remind you of a letter from this office, dated the 6th inst., in reference to a level crossing near Forge Mills, upon the Birmingham and Derby branch of the Midland Railway, and to request that you will call the immediate attention of the Directors thereto.

April 22, 1848
From: JF Bull, Secretary, Midland Railway Company, Derby,
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

Sir, In reply to your letter of the 5th inst., I beg to inform you that it does not appear that the level crossing to which you refer, near Forge Mills, has hitherto been authorized by the magistrates; but as the highway which crosses the railway at that point has been used on the level for the last seven or eight years up to the present time with the full approval of the public, whose convenience, it is believed, is best served by that arrangement, it is the intention of the Company to apply to the Commissioners of Railways for the necessary permission to continue the level crossing.

April 24, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: The Secretary, of the Midland Railway Company, Derby,

Sir I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd inst., relative to a level crossing near Forge Mills, and to inform you that the Commissioners are not aware of any power contained in the General Acts or in the Special Acts of the Railway Company that will enable the Commissioners, should they deem it expedient, to authorize a level crossing in place of a bridge, and to request that you will refer them to the authority if any such exists.

April 24, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter received this day from the Midland Railway Company relative to a level crossing near Forge Mills, referred to in a letter addressed by you to this Department on the 4th inst., as well as a copy of the Commissioners’ communication in reply thereto.

April 25, 1848
From: JF Bull, Secretary, Midland Railway Company, Derby,
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

Sir, In reply to your letter of the 21th inst, the power which was supposed the Commissioners of Railways possessed was under the 8 Vict., c. 20, s. 66. (Sic)

April 27, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: The Secretary, of the Midland Railway Company, Derby,

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to inform you that they have no power under the Act 8 Viet., c. 20, s. 60, to authorize the substitution of a level crossing for a bridge as supposed in your letter of the 25th instant.

May 2, 1848
From: Captain RM Laffan, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

Sir. I have the honour to report to you, for the information of the Commissioners, that I yesterday inspected the level crossing near the Forge Mills station of the Birmingham and Derby branch of the Midland Railway.

The road which is here crossed by the railway appeared to me to be one but little frequented. In many places it was impossible to recognize in it any appearance of a road; it appeared to be simply a wet ditch about six feet wide, overgrown with rank grass. In other places the width varied, and there were traces of cart-wheels in the mud. With the exception of the raised approaches to level crossing, and of a point where a footpath crossed it, the whole was under water. It was evident that the road was not thought to be of sufficient importance to justify the least expense in keeping it up. On the eastern side, about 50 yards from the level crossing, the road crosses a branch of the River Tame, by a ford which was yesterday about two feet deep. In this 50 yards the road descends about eight feet; and if a bridge be now substituted for the level crossing, it will be necessary, in order to obtain an approach to it, to construct another bridge over this branch of the river, an expense which, it appears, the road was never thought to be of sufficient importance to demand.

On the western side the road descends from the level crossing at a slope of 1 in 20, and thence continues nearly level, and generally under water, till it again crosses another branch of the Tame by a ford which yesterday presented a considerable volume of water flowing with a rapid current. Close beside this ford is a bridge composed of stone piers and brick arches, but the road is excluded from all benefit in it; it is meant for the accommodation of foot-passengers only, and will not allow a cart to pass. It appears to me that the road now under consideration has been specially neglected, in order that passengers might not, by using it, be enabled to avoid the toll on the neighbouring turnpike-road.

I am of opinion that the present level crossing which is provided with good gates, and at which a gatekeeper is stationed, provides sufficiently for the traffic, and that the construction of a bridge with proper approaches would, from the nature of the localities, be attended with a degree of difficulty and expense which does not appear to be called for by the importance of the road.

August 2, 1848
From: CB Adderley, MP for North Staffordshire, Carlton Club
To: The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

Sir, I have transmitted to you, through Mr Newdegate as our county member, a largely and respectably signed petition, for some assistance from the Railway Commissioners, in asserting their right to the bridge over the level crossing near Coleshill, to which I have before called your attention. You will see by this petition that the request is no private object of my own. The road is only bad by the railway people having first cut it up in drawing their own materials, and then rendered it impassable without danger by their level crossing, unguarded by any police. If this road were opened again to the public, it is so good a line that no road in the neighbourhood would have so much traffic on it. Constant accidents happen to cattle; and I myself put it in the Company’s power to avoid the expense of a bridge, and secure the safety of the public, by moving their crossing to the neighbouring station, where police would attend to it. I do hope, when the public ask for protection, the Commissioners will not persist in the plan laid down only to assist those who are powerful and rich enough to help themselves.

August 3, 1843
House of Commons,

Mr Newdigate presents his compliments to Mr. Labouchere, and begs to submit Tor his consideration a petition signed by Colonel Arbuthnot, who is in command of the Midland district, and about 70 other persons (see next section below - Webmaster), including several of the largest landed proprietors, professional men, and farmers, of the vicinity of Coleshill, praying that adequate means of transit across the Midland Railway, near the Forge Mills station, may be afforded, the refusal of which by the Railway Company has caused great incouvenience to the neighbourhood. Mr. Newdegate will only add that, having some local knowledge of the circumstances, and having full confidence in the representation of the petition, he begs to express his hope that Mr Labouchere may favourably consider the request of the petitioners.

To the Right Honourable The President of the Board of Trade
Signed by 71 persons.

The Petition of the Inhabitants of the Market Town of Coleshill, and of the adjoining Villages of Shustoke, Lea Marston, Kingsbury, Whitacre, and Merevale,—Showeth, That the Inspectors sent by the Railway Commissioners to report on a certain public road crossed on the level by the Midland Railway, near Forge Mills Station, did not fairly state the amount of Traffic on that road.

That the bad appearance of the road is mainly attributable to the injury done to it by the Railway. That the danger to the public is manifest by several accidents to cattle, and narrow escapes of men with carts, which have occurrred there and at neighbouring level crossings which this Company neglect to guard by any polico stationed at them. That if the level crossing were moved to the neighbouring station, the bridge which is claimed might be dispensed with, according to the legal process, by the consent of two magistrates; for then a sufficient guard would be at hand to guarantee the public safety; and the adjoining landowner, Mr Adderley, has offered the land and half the cost, to carry out such a plan. The line of road is the nearest and best from the market town of Coleshiil (now the county town for the northern division of Warwickshire) to a great number of parishes between it and Tamworth. Your petitioners pray for your protection to enforce the stipulations of the Railway Act on which they first conceded their assent, that they may be saved the hopeless task of fighting the Company by expensive lawsuits to comply with their own law. And they will ever remain, Your obliged and obedient servants.

August 5, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: C Newdegate, Esq., M. P-, House of Commons

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to inform you, that they have directed one of their Inspecting officers to inquire into the statements contained in the petition forwarded by you to this Department, relative to a level crossing near Coleshill, upon the Birmingham and Derby section of the Midland Railway, and that when they receive his report the Commissioners will again communicate with you on the subject.

May 2, 1848
From: Captain RM Laffan, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, The Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall

I have the honour to report to you, for the information of the Commissioners, that on Saturday, the 19th ultimo, I proceeded to the Forge Mills station on the Birmingham and Derby branch of the Midland Railway, with a view to examine into the subject of a petition forwarded by Mr. Newdegate, with reference to a level crossing at Forge Mills.

The road which is here crossed by ihe railway appeared to me tube one but little frequented. In many places it was impossible to recognize in it any appearance of a road ; it appeared to be simply a wet ditch about six feet wide, overgrown with rank grass. In other places the width varied, and there were traces of cart-wheels in the mud. With the exception of the raised approaches to le»cl crossing, and of a point where a footpath crossed it, the whole was under water. It was evident that the road was not thought to be of sufficient importance to justify the least expense in keeping it up. On the eastern side, about 50 yards from the level crossing, the road crosses a branch of the River Tame, bv a lord which was yesterday about two feet deep. In this 50 yards the road descends about eight feet; and if a bridge be now substituted for the level crossing, it will be necessary, in order to obtain an approach to it, to construct another bridge over this branch of the river, an expense which, it appears, the road was never thought to be of sufficient importance to demand.

I do not think that it would be any benefit to the public to have an over-bridge in lieu of the level crossing. I think the level crossing provides ample accommodation for the traffic upon the road. It has been stated to me that the traffic was formerly much greater, but it appears to me that, if such be the case, the diminution of it has been owing to the two very inconvenient if not dangerous fords, and not to any inconvenience caused by the level crossing.

The proposed new road to the Forge Mills station would certainly promote the convenience of those who wish to have a convenient access to the trains; and by avoiding the ford and passing the stream by a bridge where it is much narrower, it would promote the convenience of the public. As the proposal, however, is still to pass the railway on the level, I do not see how it can in any way promote the public safety as far as regards the crossing over the line.

It appears that the gatekeeper at this crossing has also to attend at the neighbouring station to give out tickets, and that during his absence his wife is supposed to attend to the gates. I would suggest that this is not a sufficient provision for the public, and that the Company should be instructed to appoint a gatekeeper whose sole duty it shall be to attend to the gates. If the Company think fit to accept Mr. Adder ley's proposal and join with him to make the new road and remove the level crossing to the station, the same man might attend to the station and to the gates.

September 9, 1848
From: CN Newdegate, MP, Arbury,
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall,

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to inform you that on receiving the petition signed by Colonel Arbuthnot and others, which was forwarded with your letter of the 3rd ultimo, they directed Captain Laffan to revisit the level crossing at Forge Mills, and to report on the allegations contained in that petition; that Captain Laffan has, in consequence, made a report, of which a copy is enclosed; and that the Commissioners are of opinion that under the circumstances stated in that report, it would not be for "the public advantage" for this Board to commence proceedings to compel the Railway Company to substitute a bridge for the level crossing, and that the Board have no power to enforce the other arrangements reported upon by Captain Laffan. The Commissioners have, however, directed a copy of the petition, and of Captain Laffan's report, to be forwarded to the Railway Company, with a request that they will take into their consideration the proposed arrangements; and the Company have also been informed that, while the level crossing remains it is the duty of the Company to make such arrangements with respect to gate-keepers us may ensure the public safety.

September 9, 1848
From: Captain HD Harness, RE, Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall,
To: The Secretary, Midland Railway Company, Derby,

Sir, I have been directed by the Commissioners of Railways to forward to you the enclosed copy of a petition which has been addressed to them with respect to the level crossing near Forge Mills, on the Birmingham and Derby Railway; and also a copy of a report by Captain Laffan on the subjects referred to in that petition, and I am to request you to bring under the consideration of the Directors of the Company the suggestions contained in those documents for a new road to the Forge Mills station. I am, at the same time, to inform you, that the Commissioners are unwilling to take steps to compel the Company to substitute a bridge, as the Company are bound by law to do, for the level crossing complained of, as it does not appear very distinctly that it would be for "the public advantage" to adopt that course; but that it is their duty to point out to the Company that while the level crossing remains proper gatekeepers should be employed to ensure the safety of the public.

September 9, 1848
From:P CN Newdegate, MP, Arbury,
To: Captain HD Harness, RE, Office of Commissioners of Railways, Whitehall,

Sir, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter respecting the level crossing near the Forge Mills station. I regret that the Commissioners have it not in their power to enforce better accommodation for the public than the crossing in question affords; but I hope that the Com-missioners will insist upon the safety of the public being secured by the attendance of a guard or policeman constantly in charge of the crossing so long as it remains in its present situation and condition.

With this last communique the saga ends in defeat for local community.