GWR Route: North Warwickshire Line

GWR Route: Hatton to Stratford on Avon

Wilmcote Station: gwrwil514b

Close up of image 'gwrwil514' showing the original 1860 station platform and building plus Wilmcote Signal Box seen through the archway the bridge carrying Station Road over the railway. The Signal Box controlled the 'block' or section of the railway containing the station and the goods yard which remained behind the 1860 station. The original station building was used by railway staff for storage and mess facilities. The difference in height between the 1860 platform and the 1907 platform is clearly evident in this view. The early railways and the passenger coaches were very much influenced by the technology employed by stagecoaches and this included steps to assist passengers to gain access from platforms built just above rail height. As the coaches became longer and the underframes much stronger so the height of platforms increased. Low platforms are still a feature on many continental and US stations where wider loading gauges allow steps to be incorporated in to the side of coaching stock.

back