LMS Route: Evesham to Birmingham

Barnt Green: mrbg146

Looking towards Birmingham prior to the alterations to the station caused by the quadrupling of the line north of Barnt Green on 21st Oct 1921. This view from the road bridge, which carries Hewell Lane over the railway, shows the original staggered platform layout which was a common layout utilised by most railway companies in the 19th century. This layout was initially useful because with the main station building being located in the middle and with the short trains of the 19th century, staff could gain access to and from either platform after the train had become stationary. The layout was also useful when a level crossing was installed with the staggered platforms being either side of the crossing. In theory it offered the advantage of keeping the closure of the road to an absolute minimum by allowing the train to pass through the crossing before it stopped. The staggered platform meant that this procedure worked in both directions. Longer trains meant either longer platforms being built or, as was increasingly common, the rear of the train fouled the crossing thereby defeating the principle.

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