GWR Route: Hatton to Bearley and Alcester Branch

Bearley Station: gwrb3899

Bearley East Junction viewed from the station footbridge in 1959. The double track line from Hatton curves to the left behind Bearley East Junction Signal Box to Bearley West Junction and on to Stratford-upon-Avon. While on the right are two sidings which run parallel to the overgrown single track ‘North Curve’ to Bearley North Junction. Together these two refuge sidings could hold a total of 57 wagons in addition to an engine and brake-van. In the late 1930s a road-stone crushing plant had been constructed adjacent to these sidings, but prior to that they had been used for loading round timber cut from the Forest of Arden and the loading gauge at the end of these sidings prevented out-of-gauge loads proceeding on to the main line.

The 'North Curve' was originally part of the single track branch line to Alcester, but in 1907 this had been crossed by the North Warwickshire Line near Edstone Aqueduct and a triangle was formed. This triangle was frequently used to turn tender engines based at Stratford, where there was no turntable and the ‘North Curve’ also continued to be used by Alcester Auto-trains, until the branch was closed. The ‘North Curve’ had a final swan-song in 1959 - Firstly during two Sundays (24th and 31st May 1959) the ‘North Curve’ became part of the diversionary route for all the main line services between London and Birmingham. This was to allow the main line to be closed while urgent repairs were carried out on the Rowington Water Troughs (see 'rowingtontroughs'). Then the ‘North Curve’ played host to Prince Philip as the Royal Train was stabled there overnight on Friday 23rd October 1959. On that occasion the five coach Royal Train was hauled by 4-6-0 locomotive No 7030 ‘Cranbrook Castle’, while overnight the steam heating was maintained by prairie tank 2-6-2T locomotive No 4172. On 20th November 1960 the ‘North Curve’ was officially taken out of use and the track lifted soon after.

Robert Ferris

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