SLHS: Arrival Of Railways

The Stratford-on-Avon Railway Branch Line

In 1852 the mixed, broad gauge and standard gauge, double track Birmingham & Oxford Junction Railway was completed between those two cities. This was worked by Brunel’s GWR engines. In 1854 they completed The Stratford-on-Avon Railway from Hatton, via Bearley, to Espley’s Brickworks which was also double track and mixed gauge.

The Stratford (East) Branch Line

In 1854 Oxford, Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway constructed their main line between those cities to the South-East of Stratford but only to standard gauge (since the Railway Regulation (Gauge) Act of 1846).

In 1859 they completed a new single track line from Honeybourne, via Long Marston, to service Lucy’s Mill and a new Sanctus Street passenger station.

Competition: New Passenger Terminus Of The Stratford-upon-Avon Railway

The GWR seeing the OWWR being built laid on passenger services to a wooden built station on the Birmingham Road (visible by the letter “H” in the word “Birmingham” right). It became a very successful railway (see SAR wiki).

New Brewery Railway Yards

Obviously Flowers Brewery had discussed the location of their forthcoming new brewery (with the old one remaining at the bottom of Clopton Road) so some complex sidings were added for that and it was built. Efficiently, no doubt most of the construction materials came this way.

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New Link Railway

In July 1861, the GWR wanting to bring minerals through from South Wales so the OWWR agreed that the SAR be extended south to the over the canal (which must have sensed calamity by now) and a new ‘joint station’ (the present one) was constructed half way along. Being nearer to the town was quite advantageous. However, much to Brunel’s chagrin, this link was only built to 4’8½ gauge and was one of the first important lines to short circuit Brunel’s plan to have a National Broadgauge System.

Brewery Depot   (photo 1966 when out of use)

Hotel Railmotor Service

With a keen eye on high class passengers the LMS introduced railmotor vehicles to take rail passengers direct to the Welcombe Hotel without them having to get out !

Stratford GWR Station Looking North-East from Alcester Road Bridge  1908

Note: Green fields to left before extra track added.

GWR Station  Looking West  1964

Huge Through Traffic

Stratford became so important that first one then two extra tracks had to be added to the north of the station (right of picture below).

Then a siding was added for access to the Ministry Of Food Cold Store (upper centre of picture below).

Stratford GWR Station with broad gauge locomotive

● First important railway to NOT install Brunel’s broad gauge

Links For Industry

At all stages railways needed financial diversity and so connectivity to the brickworks, brewery and the ever expanding mill on the river proved profitable. The considerable network of marshaling yards and locomotive maintenance sheds grew.

Cattle Transport

Not only was Stratford a centre for offloading coal, timber and the raw materials for millings and the finished products but the nearby cattle market required the servicing of livestock.

LMS locomotive coaling stage    1960

A through train from GWR to LMS      Note Lucy’s Mill to left

Birmingham Road sidings near Gas Works.  Note cement truck centre.

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