Studley & Astwood Bank Station

LMS Route: Evesham to Birmingham

Studley and Astwood Bank station, comprising a single platform, was situated 3 miles and 11 chains from Redditch and opened on 4th May 1868 to both passenger and goods traffic. The station was provided with a large brick two-storey building accommodating the station master's family and possibly other railway staff and an attached single storey structure within which the passenger services were provided; namely a booking office, booking hall, ladies waiting room and a general waiting room. The goods shed was equipped with a fixed position 30 cwt (one and half ton) hand operated crane which could revolve 360 degrees within the shed. A separate office was built at the Redditch end of the shed. The goods yard and station approach were both gated. Within the station access road was a weighbridge and office. The facilities at Studley and Astwood Bank were similar to those at Redditch albeit it furniture and carriages were not handled. The yard capacity was fifty-five wagons with the entry from the Redditch end controlled by a Stage released by the single line tablet. Three coal merchants were based at the yard with at least two having their own office. Alcester Cooperative and Messrs TM Dixon being so provided and Messrs G Shrimpton of which no office has been identified. Bob Essery notes in his book on the line that towards the end of July and in September, a considerable amount of unaccompanied passenger luggage was sent or received via the station by students attending the nearby Studley Agricultural College. The signal box, named Studley Signal Box, controlled the southern access which, as Bob Essery points out, meant that when the box was closed access to the sidings was only from the north end of the siding by using the Stage. The first signal box at the station was opened prior to 1st November 1975 and was replaced by a second signal box on 25th May 1891. The station closed on 17th June 1963 prior to the closure of the line on 6th July 1964.

Views of Studley & Astwood Bank station

Ref: mrstud1374 DJ Norton Looking along the length of Studley and Astwood station as a train for Redditch departs on 21st July 1952

Ref: mrstud371 Postcard Looking towards Alcester whilst the station's staff pose for the camera at Studley station circa 1900s

Ref: mrstud600 Postcard Looking towards Alcester along the single line platform with both passengers and staff posed for the camera

Ref: mrstud600a Postcard Close up showing Studley and Astwood's platform crowded with staff and passengers alike

Ref: mrstud338 Real Photographs Looking towards the main station building which housed the station master, booking office and waiting rooms

Ref: mrstud338a Real Photographs Close up showing the access to the station was via the white painted gate to the right of the station

Ref: mrstud338b Real Photographs Close up left to right, station masters house, office, booking hall, ladies waiting room & general waiting room

Ref: mrstud595 J Moss Looking towards Redditch with Studley and Astwood Signal Box located at the end of the station's platform

Ref: mrstud599 W Garbett Later view of the signal box showing part of the landing dock visible between the signal box and goods shed

Studley & Astwood Bank goods shed and sidings

Ref: mrstud1376 J Moss Looking from Studley Signal Box towards Redditch and the station's single goods sidings and passing loop

Ref: mrstud1373 RS Carpenter Looking in the direction of Alcester along Studley & Astwood's two sidings towards the goods shed circa 1962

Ref: mrstud1373a RS Carpenter Close up showing the oil storage hut and Studley Signal Box with the ground in between littered with cans

Ref: mrstud1373b RS Carpenter Close up showing the goods office and, on the right, the building which accommodated the weighbridge office

Ref: mrstud596a PJ Shoesmith Close up showing the goods shed, offices and signal box that were located at the Redditch end of the platform

Ref: mrstud598a JM Tolson Close up showing a rake of mineral wagons being used to transport coal and a coal merchant's lorry being loaded

Ref: mrstud1375 RJ Essry A couple of Wagon labels from the National Coal Board's Haunchwood Colliery and West Cannock Collieries

Locomotivesand trains seen at or near Studley & Astwood Bank station

Ref: mrstud598 JM Tolson Ex-LMS Fowler 4MT 2-6-4T No 42417 departs from Studley & Astwood with a passenger service for Birmingham

Ref: mrstud596 PJ Shoesmith Ex-LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 No 48700 passes Studley & Astwood Bank station on a northbound stopping train

Ref: mrstud597 TJ Edgington BR built 4MT 2-6-0 No 43036 is seen at the head of the 5:10pm Birmingham to Ashchurch service

Schematic, Ordnance Survey and LMS Rating Map of Studley & Astwood Bank station

Ref: mrstud1376 AE Overton Schematic drawing showing Studley & Astwood station's 1904 layout of passenger and goods facilities

Ref: studley_map Disused Stations Ordnance Survey map showing the location of Studley & Astwood station in relation to adjacent villages

Ref: mrstud1370a RJ Essery Part One of an undated LMS 40 feet to 1 inch rating plan showing the layout of Studley & Astwood station

Ref: mrstud1370b RJ Essery Part Two of an undated LMS 40 feet to 1 inch rating plan showing the layout of Studley & Astwood station

Ref: mrstud1370c RJ Essery Part Three of an undated LMS 40 feet to 1 inch rating plan showing the layout of Studley & Astwood station