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Bearley East, West and North Junctions

GWR Route: Hatton to Bearley and Alcester Branch

GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

Bearley North and West Junctions are on the southern most part of the North Warwickshire line. From these new junctions on the Stratford Upon Avon to Hatton branch line the North Warwickshire Railway commenced its 18 mile long route to Tyseley where it joined the Oxford to Birmingham line. The junction consisted of two connections, one from the branch line to the north being primarily used for passenger trains to Alcester, the other being now a southerly continuation of the original route from Hatton to Stratford Upon Avon. Opened in 1908, as part of the GWR's new main line route to the West of England, Bearley Junction was laid out to maximise the speed of express trains travelling along the line. The junction partly exists today, the northerly junction now removed, however since the closure of the line beyond Stratford upon Avon, it now handles only commuter traffic plus an ever increasing amount of steam hauled specials, most from the newly restored Moor Street station operated by trains based at Tyseley Museum.

Robert Ferris

Much of the information on this and other pages of Warwickshire Railways is derived from articles or books listed in our 'bibliography'.

Bearley Station (33) Bearley East, West and North Junctions (50)
GWR Service Time Table - Instructions General instructions for Auto-Car Services

The junction of the Alcester Branch with the North Warwickshire Railway

View of the line to Great Alne from Bearley and the Edstone Aqueduct and the Bearley distant signal on the right
Ref: gwrbj767
GM Perkins
View of the line to Great Alne from Bearley and the Edstone Aqueduct and the Bearley distant signal on the right
The Edstone aqueduct passing over the two GWR lines as seen from the Bearley-Aston Cantlow road
Ref: gwrbj791
CL Mowatt
The Edstone aqueduct passing over the two GWR lines as seen from the Bearley-Aston Cantlow road
View along the Alcester Branch line towards the Edstone Aqueduct on Sunday 9th September 1928.
Ref: gwrbj3900
C Gilbert
View along the Alcester Branch line towards the Edstone Aqueduct on Sunday 9th September 1928.
An unidentified GWR 517 class 0-4-2T is seen drawing water from the canal carried by Edstone aqueduct
Ref: gwrbj764
GM Perkins
An unidentified GWR 517 class 0-4-2T is seen drawing water from the canal carried by Edstone aqueduct
Close up of the fireman letting the water flow into the engine's bunker by controlling the wheel on the down pipe
Ref: gwrbj764a
GM Perkins
Close up of the fireman letting the water flow into the engine's bunker by controlling the wheel on the down pipe

A 1953 view showing the boxed pipe from the aqueduct now being protected by a 'fire devil' against freezing weather
Ref: gwrbj790
PJ Garland
A 1953 view showing the boxed pipe from the aqueduct now being protected by a 'fire devil' against freezing weather
Close up showing the watering arrangement from the aqueduct with fire-devil
Ref: gwrbj790a
PJ Garland
Close up of the stop signal mounted on a concrete post installed prior to the Alcester branch reopening
View of Bearley North Junction looking towards Stratford upon Avon with the branch line to Alcester on the extreme right
Ref: gwrbj444
LGRP
Bearley North Junction looking towards Stratford upon Avon with the branch line to Alcester on the extreme right
Close up showing Bearley North Junction signal box circa 1934 with the Bearley North Curve seen in the distance
Ref: gwrbj444a
LGRP
Close up showing Bearley North Junction signal box circa 1934 with the Bearley North Curve seen in the distance
Close up of the bi-directional single line to Alcester passing behind the Permanent Way line side hut
Ref: gwrbj444b
LGRP
Close up of the bi-directional single line to Alcester passing behind the Permanent Way line side hut

Close up showing the Alcester line branching away to the left and both sets of tracks passing under the viaduct
Ref: gwrbj765a
GM Perkins
Close up showing the Alcester line branching away to the left and both sets of tracks passing under the viaduct
Looking across Edstone viaduct towards Stratford upon Avon at Bearley North Junction circa 1908
Ref: gwrbj763
GM Perkins
Looking across Edstone viaduct towards Stratford upon Avon at Bearley North Junction circa 1908
GWR railway photo
Ref: gwrbj546
WoW
Edstone canal viaduct passing over the North Warwickshire line as a southbound goods train passes underneath

Bearley North Junction and Signal Box

View from Bearley North Junction Signal Box looking towards Birmingham
Ref: gwrbj788
PJ Garland
Bearley North Junction Signal Box looking towards Birmingham with the Alcester branch curving away to the left
Bearley North Junction box  just after the North Warwickshire line began operating goods traffic from Tyesley
Ref: gwrbj766
GM Perkins
Bearley North Junction Signal Box just after the North Warwickshire line began operating goods traffic
Close up showing Bearley North Junction box, built to the GWR's Type27c timber design, and contained 35 levers
Ref: gwrbj766a
GM Perkins
Close up showing Bearley North Junction box, built to the GWR's Type27c design, and contained 35 levers
North Junction outer home signal situated some ten chains West of Edstone viaduct seen on 6th June 1953
Ref: gwrbj2344
PJ Garland
North Junction outer home signal, some ten chains West of Edstone aqueduct seen on 6th June 1953
The North Curve single line seen from Bearley North Junction Signal Box looking towards Stratford upon Avon in the summer of 1947
Ref: gwrbj787
PJ Garland
The North Curve single line seen from Bearley North Junction Signal Box looking towards Stratford upon Avon

Close up of the Bearley North Junction & the North Curve arcing to the left and on the right, the line to Wilmecote
Ref: gwrbj787a
PJ Garland
Close up of the Bearley North Junction & the North Curve arcing to the left and on the right, the line to Wilmecote
Bearley North Curve looking towards the North Junction from a position close to the East Junction
Ref: gwrbj809
Betty Castle
Bearley North Curve looking towards the North Junction from a position close to the East Junction
An extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
Re: misc_equip236
GWR/S Turner
An extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
GWR Appendix to the March 1921 STT detailing the local instructions for the occupation of the Alcester Branch
Ref: gwrbj3017
Great Western Railway
GWR Appendix to the March 1921 STT detailing the local instructions for the occupation of the Alcester Branch

Bearley East Junction and Signal Box

The 5.45am Leamington to Honeybourne local freight stands adjacent to Bearley East Junction Signal Box
Ref: gwrbj775
B Bromwich/KRM
The 5.45am Leamington to Honeybourne local freight stands adjacent to Bearley East Junction Signal Box
Bearley East Junction Signal Box, a McKenzie & Holland Type 3 design built in 1876, for the GWR
Ref: gwrbj785
Anon
Bearley East Junction Signal Box, a McKenzie & Holland Type 3 design built in 1876, for the GWR
Bearley East Junction Signal Box in 1938 showing the two single-line Tyers Electric Key-Token instruments
Ref: gwrbj807
AT Locke/KRM
Bearley East Junction Signal Box in 1938 showing the two single-line Tyers Electric Key-Token instruments
The Bearley East Junction Signalman receives another single line staff from a 51xx 2-6-2T prairie tank
Ref: gwrbj786
AT Locke/KRM
The Bearley East Junction Signalman receives another single line staff from a 51xx 2-6-2T prairie tank
View of the one of the sides of the Bearley East Junction to Bearley North Junction single line key token
Ref: gwrbj2348
HP Street
View of the one of the sides of the Bearley East Junction to Bearley North Junction single line key token

View of the other of the side of the Bearley East Junction to Bearley North Junction single line key token
Ref: gwrbj2349
HP Street
View of the other of the side of the Bearley East Junction to Bearley North Junction single line key token
An extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
Ref: misc_equip249
Great Western Railway
An extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
Another extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
Ref: misc_equip250
Great Western Railway
Another extract from the ‘Great Western Railway Regulations for Train Signalling on Double and Single Lines’
The Signalling Notice which was issued to inform staff of the new signals and operational procedures
Ref: gwrga4028
Great Western Railway
The Signalling Notice which was issued to inform staff of the new signals and operational procedures

Bearley West Junction and Signal Box

View of Bearley West Junction Signal Box with the lines to Moor Street on the left and the lines to Hatton on the right
Ref: gwrbj2436
S Douglas
Bearley West Junction Signal Box with the lines to Moor Street on the left and the lines to Hatton on the right
View inside Bearley West Junction Signal Box and its 25 lever frame which dates with the North Warwickshire line opening in 1907
Ref: gwrbj808
KRM
Inside Bearley West Junction Signal Box and its 25 lever frame dating from the North Warwickshire line opening
An unidentified Great Western Railway 4-6-0 68xx (Grange) class locomotive at Bearley West junction
Ref: gwrbj446
PJ Garland
An unidentified Great Western Railway 4-6-0 68xx (Grange) class locomotive at Bearley West junction

Locomotives and trains seen at or near Bearley's three Junctions

GWR 0402T No 564 is seen on the branch line having just left the Bearley Aquaduct after taking on water
Ref: gwrbj443
P Hopkins
GWR 0402T No 564 is seen on the branch line having just left the Bearley Aquaduct after taking on water
GWR railway photo
Ref: gwrbj805
Anon
A 48xx class 0-4-2T and auto trailer No.76 can be seen on the Branch approaching Edstone Aqueduct
GWR 2-6-2T No 3152 passes the Alcester Branch Junction with a Stratford - Birmingham semi-fast
Ref: gwrbj811
CH Oldham
GWR 2-6-2T No 3152 passes the Alcester Branch Junction with a Stratford - Birmingham semi-fast
GWR 4-6-0 No 4058 'Princess Augusta' is seen on an up express servbice passing Bearley North Junction Signal Box
Ref: gwrbj436
PJ Garland
GWR 4-6-0 No 4058 'Princess Augusta' on an up express servbice passing Bearley North Junction Signal Box
GWR railway photo
Ref: gwrbj447
P Hopkins
GWR 4-6-0 Saint Class No 2908 'Lady of Quality' heads a down West of England express passing the junction

GWR 4-6-0 No 5917 'Westminster Hall' is seen on a Leamington to Stratford upon Avon local approaching Bearley West Junction
Ref: gwrbj445
PJ Garland
GWR 4-6-0 No 5917 'Westminster Hall' is seen on a Leamington to Stratford upon Avon local
GWR 4-6-0 Castle class No 5079 'Lysander' with the 3.20pm Wolverhampton to Paddington express
Ref: gwrbj810
TE Williams
GWR 4-6-0 Castle class No 5079 'Lysander' with the 3.20pm Wolverhampton to Paddington express
GWR 0-4-2T No 1425 is seen at the rear of the Alcester bound auto train as enters the Alcester Branch line on 30 May 1934
Ref: gwrbj789
PW Robinson
GWR 0-4-2T No 1425 is seen at the rear of the Alcester bound auto train as enters the Alcester Branch line
Close up showing GWR 517 class 0-4-2T No 523, which was a regular Alcester branch locomotive, posed with its crew in 1908
Ref: gwrbj766b
GM Perkins
Close up of GWR 517 class 0-4-2T No 523, a regular Alcester branch locomotive, posed with its crew in 1908
GWR 4-4-0 No 3449 'Nightingale', a member of the Bulldog class, waits by Bearley Junction East signal box
Ref: gwrbj437
P Hopkins
GWR 4-4-0 Bulldog class No 3449 'Nightingale' is seen held by signals at Bearley Junction East signal box

Ex-ROD 2-8-0 No 3048 is about to surrender the single line staff for the Hatton – Claverdon - Bearley section
Ref: gwrbj776
AT Locke/KRM
Ex-ROD 2-8-0 No 3048 is about to surrender the single line staff for the Hatton – Claverdon - Bearley section
Ex-GWR 2-8-0 28xx Class No 2859 passes Bearley distant signal with an iron ore train for South Wales in 1956
Ref: gwrbj2343
RC Riley
Ex-GWR 2-8-0 28xx Class No 2859 passes Bearley distant signal with an iron ore train for South Wales in 1956

Miscellaneous

View of a Scammell mechanical horse and trailer being used to deliver goods from selected local goods yards
Ref: gwrbj2340
BPC
A Scammell mechanical horse and trailer being used to deliver goods from selected local goods yards
The Bearley East Junction Signalman receives another single line staff from a 51xx 2-6-2T prairie tank
Ref: gwrbj1489
DM Lee
Looking to Stratford on Avon, a rear view of a GWR 'Sighting Board' seen at Bearley North Junction starter signal
Composite photograph of various surplus GWR wagons stored at Bearley station' goods sidings
Ref: gwrb1787
PJ Garland & RS Carpenter
Composite photograph of various surplus GWR wagons stored at Bearley station' goods sidings

Maps and Diagrams of the Junctions of Bearley

Ordnance Survey map of the junction between the Alcester branch and the North Warwickshire Railway
Ref: gwrbj2346
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey map of the junction between the Alcester branch and the North Warwickshire Railway
Ordnance Survey map showing the Bearley to Aston Cantlow road on the left and the junction of the North Curve on the right
Ref: gwrbj2347
Ordnance Survey
OS map showing the Bearley to Aston Cantlow road on the left and the junction of the North Curve on the right
Ordnance Survey map showing Bearley East Junction, its signal box and its proximity to Bearley station
Ref: gwrbj2341
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey map showing Bearley East Junction, its signal box and its proximity to Bearley station
A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Bearley North Junction Signal Box produced courtesy of the SRS
Ref: sig-diag-bearley-north
Signalling Record Society
A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Bearley North Junction Signal Box produced courtesy of the SRS
A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Bearley West Junction Signal Box produced courtesy of the SRS
Ref: sig-diag-bearley-west
Signalling Record Society
A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Bearley West Junction Signal Box produced courtesy of the SRS

A low resolution version of the Signalling Diagram for Bearley East Junction Signal Box dated 1907 produced courtesy of the Signalling Record Society
Ref: sig-diag-bearley-east1907
Signalling Record Society
A low resolution version of the 1907 Signalling Diagram for Bearley East Junction Signal Box
Ex-ROD 2-8-0 No 3048 is about to surrender the single line staff for the Hatton – Claverdon - Bearley section
Ref: sig-diag-bearley-east1942
Signalling Record Society
A low resolution version of the 1941 Signalling Diagram for Bearley East Junction Signal Box