Ashcurch Barnt Green Abandoned Railway North Evesham 2

Ashchurch to Barnt Green abandoned railway, a series of five films following the route from end to end This week includes, letting the satnav do the work’
Home to the adventurous subscriber. As well as films we have a bi-weekly Vlog to keep up to date on the previous and next week’s videos, and a chance for all to air their views on a variety of subjects, why not join in.
My passion has been walking, a while ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and walking does not come naturally any more, however the more I walk the easier it gets, for now anyway. I hope these videos will inspire others to keep going and hanging on in there. I try to cover variety of subjects, such as old abandoned railways, and canals. I love the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, with its rich history and I usually take my camera whenever we holiday in the southwest and Cornwall. The rugged coastal paths are a magnet for anyone who loves dramatic scenery. I live close to the Cotswolds Hills and have done quite a lot of walking around there, recently, following some of the lovely rivers. Hill walking on the Malvern’s is a challenge but worth the effort. I try not to let Parkinson’s get me down and take every opportunity to get out with my camera and film, I hope you enjoy watching. P.W.

[@ThePserafin100]

Thanks for this, the last Bridge I'm trying to save as Redditch Borough Council want to demolish it , it's in Warwickshire and in my ward as a Councillor, fingers crossed the the structural survey that has been done lately is still sound .

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Peter, so good to hear someone from a council on our side. I will make sure you get a mention in the next vlog. Power to your elbow. Grateful Ron

[@railwaychristina3192]

What a contrast between the lovely, enduring, station houses and the nasty little housing estate boxes crowding at their feet. Bit symbolic of our times.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I think it is meant to be progress Christina, towards what I'm not sure. Ron

[@railwaychristina3192]

@@ParkinsonsWalks ....more like ingress...creeping concreting of our countryside. Thank you for another great video.

[@nicholasbent7539]

Hi Ron. The first wonderful red brick building you saw near Alcester station is Minerva Mill. It has quite an interesting history: - Formally known as Minerva Works, was primarily built as a needle mill. Perhaps the largest industrial building in Alcester finished making needles since 1912, when the building was bought by Terry’s Springs Limited, and at one time substitutes for corset bones were made here from woven spring wire and part of the building was let to a manufacturer of golf balls. It is believed that in 1968 the building passed to Dennison Equipment Company, who produced such things as ironing boards and house ware products. Prior to the purchase by its current owners, Impetus Limited, in 1998, the site was occupied by Wagon Automotive (formally Bayliss Ltd) who manufactured automotive parts. Bayliss Ltd added a modern 20,000 sq.ft. industrial unit to the site during the “80s”. This building has now been divided into small units providing workshop and office space. Minerva Mill has been recognised as being of particular historical importance and is Grade II listed.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Brilliant Nicholas, quite a few people are interested in that building, I'll reference it in the vlog next week. Thank you. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Nicholas! It is a most impressive structure - and thankfully looks in great condition. Wonderful history.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Another terrific video Ron! Thank you. That was some achievement in finding three stations - well done! I was also very impressed with Minerva Mill and Nicholas' fantastic comment below. I really liked seeing how you did your detective work by combining the old and present day maps together with the sat nav. Great work! Cheers, Paul .

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, nice to hear from you, I don't know how you find time with all the work you are doing producing great films, you must have to burn the midnight oil now and again to keep up. Well done. Ron

[@grumpyoleman2152]

Very enjoyable! Thanks for sharing the trip and the beautiful day.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Glad you enjoyed it Jim. Ron

[@grumpyoleman2152]

By the way, what is a Barnt?

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@grumpyoleman2152 Sorry Jim, beats me. Ron

[@MoJohnson-xp6cc]

Hi Ron, thanks for another trip down memory lane. In the late sixties and early seventies I used to cycle all around the area. I remember Alcester station approach before the housing estate was developed. There were a number of “sheds” that housed small businesses and the drive was not surfaced. Over the years nearly all the bridges have gone either demolished or filled in. When the bridge at Studley was demolished the road from Sambourne was realigned. It looked like you parked on a bit of the old road. Behind the self storage place is Alleys who move preserved locomotives around the country.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Mo, nice to hear your memories of this stretch, makes it all come alive. Ron

[@nicholasbent7539]

Me again. Alcester station is quite interesting in that at one time it was joint Midland and Great Western being the GWR terminus of the branch line off the Hatton to Stratford-upon-Avon line. Only two intermediate stations Great Alne and Aston Cantlow halt. Another challenge for you? The branch line was lightly used and closed in 1951. WarwickshireRailways is a great site as it has photos of all the old stations.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Nicholas, I'll do some research and see if anything shows up. I have covered part of the Stratford junction railway recently, currently waiting edit. Thanks again. Ron

[@michaelpilling9659]

A Very Good Morning ron - greetings from Poland Three out of three - a fantastic achievment. Your dectective work and tracking methods certainly paid off this week. I really enjoyed our adventures today. The bridge was superb, Thanks so much. See you again soon. Stay safe please

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Michael, glad you enjoyed the adventure because it's nice to have you along. Winter will soon be on it's way out, hang in there. Molly the satnav & me.

[@757trev]

Hello Ron. I hope all is well with you and Pauline and thank you for today's adventure. Some useful comments from other contributors which has saved me from having to go into detail regarding the Minerva Mill building on Station Road in Alcester! Still, let's find some other stuff to share. As has been mentioned, the GWR's junction met the Midland line just north of Alcester, with the link to the Hatton Junction to Stratford Upon Avon route joining at Bearley Junction. Alcester station was opened on 17 September 1866 and closed to passengers on 17 September 1963. It soldiered on for goods for almost another 9 months afterwards before finally closing completely on 6 June 1964. The earliest station layout consisted of a passing loop off the single line which passed through the station, and this "double track" continued to the junction, where connections to the GWR single track for the Bearley line were provided from both the main line and the loop before returning to single track immediately afterwards. Additionally, there was a small goods yard at Alcester off a short siding accessible only from the station loop, there being no cross-over from the main line. Therefore goods trains coming from either direction, "up" or "down", would have to go onto the GWR line for a short distance past the point where the line went back to single track in order to access the goods siding. A reverse being necessary for trains coming from both routes. Trains coming off the GWR line would be able to access the goods siding directly. Between the station and the junction there was another loop off the station loop where goods trains could hold to leave the station loop clear for passenger trains. Finally, a siding off the GWR branch at the junction led to an engine shed with a through road terminating shortly beyond it. Around 1913/14 the layout was significantly altered with crossovers and additional loops provided to make operations, particularly for access to the goods yard, much easier. These changes coincided, and were possibly instigated, when a cattle dock was opened on a siding branching off the start of the goods siding. Compared to other stations on the line, Coughton was a latecomer and early casualty. Opening on 4th May 1868 it closed to all services on 30th June 1952. It had a very simple layout which was interesting in that the track was still single track through the station, with the passing loop starting just after on the "up" (northern) side. A short siding came back to a bay behind the station from the start of the passing loop. At the end of the loop in the "up" direction was a head shunt. Just prior to the station in the "up" direction was a road bridge which crossed the railway. You showed the cutting which took the railway under the bridge, but, as you observed, the bridge was demolished so thoroughly many years ago, that not a trace remains. The station did not originally have a station house, with one finally being built in the 1920's, and is the beautifully maintained building that you featured in the video. After leaving Coughton and arriving at Studley the route passed through the small hamlet of Sambourn. This settlement didn't benefit from the luxury of a railway station though! Studley station, or Studley & Astwoodbank to give it it's full name, opened at the same time as Coughton on 4th May 1968. It closed to passengers on 17th June 1963 and to all services on 6th July 1964. After passing under the current A448 Bromsgrove Road (the bridge carrying the road now long obliterated), the line entered the station which was located on the "up" (west) side. Like Coughton, the (double) passing loop was located at the northern end of the station. Two sidings came off the loop heading back towards the station for goods traffic. Thanks again for this week's video Ron, which included some great detective work again. I look forward to the next (final?) part. Best wishes, Trev.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Magnificent contribution Trev, thank you for your time, everything anyone could want to know about this section. Yes vlog next week then the final part - a working railway, unfortunately not steam. Whilst you are there, how will the Staverton flightpath change affect us in Tirley? We seem to be getting more inverted Flymo traffic. Keep smiling. Ron

[@757trev]

​@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron. The previous noise abatement procedure required pilots to make a right turn of 10 degrees immediately after take off from runway 27 (due west). This has now been increased to 30 degrees, primarily to pass further west abeam of Highgrove Estate, with a subsequent left turn to avoid overflying Down Hatherley. i.e. to fly halfway between these two settlements. Additional noise abatement procedures have also been implemented for departures from runways 22 & 04. In essence, this means to continue on the runway heading after take-off, with no left turns until after passing Chosen Hill and Staverton respectively. Tirley will be unaffected by these changes, as you are well outside the airport's ATZ (Aerodrome Traffic Zone) which is a standard 2 mile radius from the halfway point along an airport's main runway, and beyond which the airport have no requirement upon them to implement noise abatement procedures. I've no idea why you have an increase in helicopter traffic - the changes shouldn't have affected anything in that respect. Hope this helps. Regards Trev

[@757trev]

.............sorry, should have said "north abeam of Highgrove Estate"............

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@757trev Thanks Trev, I may need to review my advert for a used anti-aircraft gun at this rate. Keep smiling. Ron

[@sumacmacarthur3380]

"Short on material"? Never! That was a brilliant walk Ron! I was a bit worried when you mentioned a psychopath following the rail bed, but James soon straightened me out. It's nice that the buildings were left and repurposed. I wonder what the large restored building at the beginning of our walk was used for? Please tell me we'll go on another walk soon Ron. Take care and enjoy what looks to be nice weather. Your friend, Sumac OVM

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

'Psychopath', I'm still chuckling. Nicholas Bent has posted the history of that building, get James to read it to you. New walk soon. Ron

[@rodneymasters5996]

Good morning Ron. Intrigued by the revelations of your research department’s astute strategy. No surprise if the Military make contact with PW HQ seeking guidance.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Rodney, I'm ready when they are. Keep smiling. Ron

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Well done once again Ron. It's amazing how railway or Station houses are always obvious by their appearance even when they have been modernised. That concrete fence post with the chamfered top is certainly unique. I've never seen one like that anywhere before.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi both, I think this must have been a posh railway section to be able to afford concrete posts like that Lionel. Keep smiling. Ron

[@paulboyle6857]

Well done Ron,you keep rooting them out.The good old concrete posts are a dead givaway & its great to see so many distinctive station houses surviving.I think a little further up this route before Alcester(nice little town),the line passes the Ragley Hall estate which used to host Speed Hillclimbs.This was one of the first events I did in 1968! Hope one day you can head up this way(Rugby),so much to see! Cheers.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Thanks Paul, have you done our local hill climb, Prescott? Ron

[@petersmith5574]

Ron, a case of "less is more" this week I think. I loved that 3rd Station House and how the owner has used a BR typeface for the house name. Thank you

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Peter, some good station finds for a change. Look after your self, I take it you are 100% now? Ron

[@petersmith5574]

@@ParkinsonsWalks About 85% Ron and I suspect that is as good as it gets. Can't get arm above shoulder height but what the H? Hope you are ok Peter

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@petersmith5574 I'm fine Peter thank you. Pauline had a shoulder issue, they put her under then gave it a good yank! Sore for a few days but it worked.

[@notyhbynorthwest]

Hi Ron, excellent video with some very good detective work. Am hopefully going on a long driving trip in mid April, so your explaining how you prepare for your explorations was a welcome reminder and review for my trip. I was really impressed with the condition of the Station Master's houses. The last one in particular was very pleasing. I'm afraid that your driving reminds me of my father. Shortly before he retired, he bought an Austin 1300GT, allowing his speed to creep up dangerously high. Whenever I rode in the car with him, I was a bag of nerves. I can only assume that your excuse is so you can make a quick getaway from those wonderful station houses before the police get there. 🚔👹 Best wishes, Ian.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ian, Austin 1300 GT, I remember them well, a standard road vehicle would probably be faster these days. My excuse is that road speed always looks faster on video. I'm sticking with that! Have fun. Ron

[@thehairygolfer]

Some fantastic buildings Ron. So nice to see them preserved rather than knocked down. Just out of interest, had you failed, brown or red sauce with the hat..........?

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Just salt and pepper Simon, I'm not a wimp, .....well!

[@JimNicholls]

Some more good detective work there, Ron, although the GPS did give you a start with the first one. Three out of three stations was a great achievement, and the labels on the houses confirmed your verdict! I hope you soon get some nice spring weather and can get out on a few more walks in the countryside. Our summer here appears to have come to an early end, although there's still hope for a brief return.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Jim, Molly the satnav and I get on fairly well, although we do fall out occasionally. I feel guilty looking forward to summer here when you are heading the other way. Hang in there. Ron

[@petepaine5331]

Good morning Ron, That was a great explore and lovely to see the station houses still remaining. Just love the architecture. I wonder how many are owned by railway enthusiasts or do you become one through ownership? The second house even had some Midland fencing . Looking forward to the next adventure. This is an interesting one. The is a small swing bridge just on the canal at Cooks wharf, just next to the East coast mail line. There are a lot of granite blocks used to protect the banks where the bridge narrows the canal. They are the Granite rail chair setts for the original London Birmingham railway. Any of the experts here know when the setts were changed to wooden sleepers? I guess it was found that the early track was expensive and hard to adjust

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

I guess Trev might pick that one up if he is not too busy. if not Andrew might make a guest appearance. Lets see. Ron

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Some well-maintained former station buildings in occupation, although the superb overbridge looked in need of some minor repairs. Hopefully it will be preserved. I wonder if that magnificent large red-brick building in the opening shots was also railway-related?

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Malcolm, I think it was built as a laundry. Beautiful building. Ron

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

@@ParkinsonsWalks There is a Minerva Mill in Station Rd, Alcester - now an innovation centre. Is that a possibility, do you think?

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@malcolmrichardson3881 Hi Malcolm, yes you have got it. Nicholas Bent has done a piece on it in the comments. Ron

[@davidberlanny3308]

Mornin’ Ron, Good idea to plan your trips using the maps and postal codes. It certainly got you to the right places …… I was wondering though how many hats you have eaten in your time doing these walks? I like to plan my trips using Google maps and then make my own ones on a scrap of paper. I did have a satnav but it stopped working, these days if I need to I can plug my phone into the car and it has a screen to project the map. It works quite well but isn’t very quick or easy to make changes if you need to. The availability of interactive maps these days is quite amazing, I’m still new to some of these programs like the side by side ones, I also came across the Historic England site which uses OS Maps and indicates all the listed buildings, even has the milestone just round the corner from my parents’ house together with a photo and description of its condition. That first building, at Studley I think, was quite something I wonder what its original purpose also the bridge further down the line looked really well engineered. They knew how to build things back then. I hope you had a flask of something hot when you got back to the car you looked frozen!! Looks like we are in for another cold spell down here over the next week, maybe with snow as well. On my afternoon walks I have seen more and more trees start to blossom, it’s quite a sight. I’m amazed what I have found without going too far it really only started with wanting to stretch my legs!! I will make a video or two soon I promise!! Tuesday 28th is the Day of Andalucia so Nuria's school is closed for a a couple of days, I’ve taken some time off as well and we are off to Ronda this weekend there is lots to see there for the adventurous subscriber!! Have a great weekend

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi David, I always take salt and pepper with me in case I have a hat to eat. I get on fairly well with my satnav but we do fall out occasionally. I think the building at Studley was originally a laundry, now office space and a lovely building. Nice to hear of the progress of spring with you, still a bit slow here. Enjoy your time off. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

Good Morning, Ron. Excellent ‘behind the scenes’ section to start and your map and satellite research really paid dividends. It’s never that straight forward on the ground, but this time it all came together. Three stations is a great result, so congratulations on a job well done. Keep them coming, Ron.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Ron, where I can I also use 'street view' on Google, Then when you get there it all look familiar. Stay warm next week. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

@@ParkinsonsWalks Hi Ron. I spent yesterday afternoon, on Google Earth, counting the railway bridges between Andoversford and Bourton On Water. There are 18 still intact, and 8 demolished. Some of them are almost invisible, hidden in deep cuttings. Now there’s a challenge! Catch up with you on Friday. Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@abandonedrailwaya2470 Hi Ron, what an interesting project, you don't say whether you are taking up the challenge, but a good one to have as a backup. Keep them coming. Ron

[@abandonedrailwaya2470]

@@ParkinsonsWalks I tested the theory, back in early December. You can just about make out these deep cutting bridges, on Google Earth, so I went to investigate one. You will see what I found on The High Wolds Part 3 video. If my knees joints survive this weather, I might well be taking up the challenge. Interestingly, all these deep cuttings have SSSI status. Something to do with their unique geology. Ron

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

@@abandonedrailwaya2470 I might bump into you in one of those then Ron, although I'll probably let you discover which ones can be reached first!! Ron

[@MoJohnson-xp6cc]

Hi Ron, some news on the future of the Green Lane bridge. Redditch council are allocating £80k to renovate the bridge and have also committed £10k to Warwickshire county council to inspect the bridge every year for the next 10 years. Redditch council wanted to demolish the bridge, level the embankments and build two houses on the site. However due to a fluke of history Redditch council owned the bridge as they took over all of the assets of the Redditch New Town Commission when it was disbanded but the bridge is in Stratford councils area. Due to local pressure Stratford council refused planning permission. Hence the change in Redditch councils attitude. They now see the bridge and walkway as a valuable facility for Redditch people. Regards Mo P. S I hope my council tax doesn't go up too much to psy for it.

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Mo, I think you contacted me before when you were fighting to stop it being demolished, it must have been frustrating at times but with a glorious result. Well done. Ron