Wolverhampton Low Level 1960s.

A few minutes of action at Wolverhampton Low Level Station in the 1960s. These clips were taken from a video tape produced by A To Z Production, a collection of video tapes I bought in the early 90s called The Changing Face Of British Railways. Very little is seen anywhere of Low Level Station and I think it's a shame because of the history behind this former G.W.R. station.
If I have to delete the few clips because of copyright, I will do so, but at the moment please enjoy what was a wonderful place to be a part of many years ago.

[@mickgreen5334]

Spent a week in Wolverhampton. I lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield notts but my school mate dave Benjamin dad got a job in Wolverhampton . Had a great week spotting at low level. Everything was a new spot to me. I was used to the a4s and deltics at newark. Fond memories. Thanks. Mick Green

[@victorialspringett]

I stayed at the hotel on site last week. My mum used to work at the low level station and had many happy memories of it. It felt like i was close to her again. Maybe one day I'll get on the platform she loved so much and feel even closer. Thank you so much for showing her favourite place in action x

[@davidbacon2428]

Spent my childhood here trainspotting with my flask of tea and a box of sandwiches in the mid fifties,happy days and thanks for posting. Dave

[@ianjones4116]

My Dad could be on one of these loco's. He was Shrewsbury train crew back in the 60s. He told me he used to get on the class 52s as 2nd man. Working Newton Abbot to Birkenhead trains. Really wish I had listened more when I was a kid . 👍😎😎😎

[@NickRatnieks]

Back in 1962- leaving Paddington I caught a glimpse of a gold diesel. For many years I wondered had I imagined this sight. Then one day I was looking through a Blandford book- written by O S Nock and there it was- D1000, Western Enterprise in its "desert sand" livery. I had not imagined that quick glimpse of that exotic machine!

[@84asrd84boxy]

Cheers Nick, now you have seen D1000 Western Enterprise in her desert sand livery in the flesh so to speak you can now put your mind at ease and that you did not imagine seeing her. Along with D1000 many other Western Class Diesel Hydraulic locos were used on various Paddington jobs after the demise of the King Class locos in September 1962. Thanks for taking the time to view and comment, much appreciated. Regards...Bill

[@yenko69jones]

Hi guys,,Graham Jones here,,Just missed stafford road 1963,,Had my interview at swindon in may 63,,started at Oxley MPD in july 63 up to 67,,Jim Whelan was shed master then with Alf Wiggins in the office,,Remember Ray Homer,,Harry Hares (rabbit),,Ron Thacker,,Dave Snape,,Arther Potts,,Not fogetting Kenny (dogger) Southern,,Went from Steam to Diesel then up to high level on the Electrics,,was,nt for me so i packed it in,,Best 4 years of my working life,14 firebox on a "KING" Backbreaking.

[@chaz1550]

Thank you . Brought back many memories of the days travelling on the Cambrian Coast Express and down to Reading to visit relatives.

[@moirahole1395]

Just came across this and wanted to say thank you for this window on my childhood - so many memories of holiday journies with my Mom and Dad

[@84asrd84boxy]

Moira, it's nice to know that this small clip of Low Level bought back some great memories for you, many thanks for looking, cheers...Bill

[@DownGrand1967]

Terrific job Bill.Even the rare D1000 caught sneaking through! Steam, semaphores, water column, manual boxes...all highly nostalgic stuff.

[@84asrd84boxy]

+DownGrand1967 Cheers Gaz, thanks for looking/commenting on this little blast from the past, I have many fond memories of working through Low Level during my firing days at Stafford Rd and Oxley, happy days never forgotten, best regards...Bill

[@DownGrand1967]

+84asrd84boxy I never knew Wolves back then, but used to go on Swan Village, West Bromwich and Snow Hill stations many times when I was a kid Even went in the box at West Brom once!

[@84asrd84boxy]

Gaz, Low Level was an interesting place to see loco change overs, Kings coming off and going to shed at Stafford Rd, Castles, Halls, Granges etc working forward to Shrewsbury, Chester etc, freights working through via Priestfield Jnc, bypassing the mainline to Snow Hill via Dudley onwards to places such as Worcester etc. Happy days. Best Regards...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

I was a cleaner/fireman at Stafford Road from April 1961 until closure in September 63, moved to Oxley until closure March 67, finally High Level was our booking on point until I left in September 68. I do vaguely remember Des Taylor at Stafford Road, I am sure he had an accident of some description while I was there.There is a B&R video Vol 174 showing a short clip of The Lower Yard Shed at Stafford Road with some of the Kings lined up ready for scrapping, Cheers...Bill

[@jayisherwood]

Hey, this is a great video :-) I live in one of the apartments built on the site of L.L. southern platform, my balcony looks out onto what was the trackbed. In my opinion the designers of the complex have done a very good job in integrating the historical significance of the site and reminds people very well of what used to be here. I do find myself sometimes wandering along what was the northern platform which is now a walkway to the apartment complex on the back edge of station building (now a wedding/banqueting venue 'Grand Station') trying to imagine the sounds of the engines and the whistles, just thinking about what it was like. I was born 5 years after the station was closed to passengers so i never knew what it was like operational and this video is utterly compelling and i wish that there was more footage out there of L.L. Incidentally the twin-bore tunnels leading towards the Birmingham direction are still in existance although you can't get to them due to 8ft high fencing blocking off access but looking through the fencing and the trees you can just about make them out.

[@84asrd84boxy]

Jay Isherwood Jay, thanks for looking/commenting, glad you enjoyed watching. From what I can gather your apartment complex stands in what used to be part of the carriage sidings at Low Level. Beyond the Up Bay platform there was a retaining wall, behind that there were up & down goods lines, next to the up goods line was the carriage shed, and all the land from the bottom of Sun Street and up towards the station drive on the Wednesfield Road were carriage sidings. Sun Street road bridge was taken down to make way for the development of the site. Where the Royal Mail is now situated used to be the Midland Goods Depot, and regarding the twin bore tunnels just outside Low Level it was deemed many years ago that the repair costs to keep the tunnels open were far to expensive to carry out. Low Level used to be a great place, with a very good service to and from Paddington worked by Kings and Castles, and was exceptionally busy during the summer months with holiday trains to many places especially to the Southwest etc. As you state it's a pity that more material cannot be found of Low Level as it was in it's working days, cheers...Bill

[@user-ce5sq1re2l]

I used to travel from Snow hill to Wolverhampton regularly behind kings and castles trainspotting in the 60s.

[@cefnonn]

Thanks for uploading - very evocative - travelling back in time! (I'm too young to have any memories of W'hampton L.L. myself)

[@84asrd84boxy]

cefnonn Thanks for looking/commenting, nice to know you enjoyed watching this little blast from the past, cheers...Bill

[@SamMitchell90]

Wow! I live at Victoria Halls on what was the tracks leading out of Wolverhampton Low Level towards Shrewsbury! It's so strange seeing how it used to be compared to know. It's such a shame they demolished the Wednesfield Road Bridge, and closed the station, Low Level shouldn't ever have closed!

[@goodtimetone]

this takes me back

[@84asrd84boxy]

Hope it bought back some great memories for you, many thanks for looking/commenting, cheers...Bill

[@goodtimetone]

84asrd84boxy it did indeed

[@84asrd84boxy]

Graham, thanks for looking/commenting, glad this bought back some great memories for you, cheers...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

Robert, glad you enjoyed watching, thanks for your positive comment, this is part of our railway history in Wolverhampton, long since gone unfortunately...Bill

[@stephensmith799]

Many thanks for posting. The vid helped me to bring my own memories of passing through Wolverhamptopn Low Level on the CCE as a child back into focus (on the way to Winchester via Reading West). Funnily enough it was the SMELL of steam coal that was most vivid! The CCE had an 'Automat' sandwich dispenser on it which in my case meant Egg Sandwhiches with still orange squash that came in a square-ish plastic container into which a stiff plastic straw was stuck into a dimple at the top. The brand name escapes me at the moment. I preferred 'Zing' - which was also orange but fizzy! (I think the Automat coach came off at Shrewsbury though.) I live in hope that the British Rail Sandwhich will make a return one day! I preferred them to Mr Branson's which needs to have more money added in from the tax-payer than the old BR version needed!

[@84asrd84boxy]

+Stephen Smith Cheers Stephen, it's nice to know that by watching this slice of history of Wolverhampton Low Level, unfortunately long since gone that it evoked some very fond memories for you. Many thanks for taking the time to view and comment, much appreciated, regards...Bill

[@ryanstephenkristoferkearns1319]

I saw the old low level station from the train window as I went into Wolverhampton train station formerly known as Wolverhampton High Level Station.

[@anthonylockley1770]

Brings back memories, I worked in The surveyor's office on Broad Street, used to have to take the office mail down to the station for forwarding to Paddington. i was a teenager then and now I'm 74 Tempus Fugit

[@84asrd84boxy]

Cheers Anthony, It's nice to know that by watching this short video it bought back some fond memories for you. When this was filmed I was a loco fireman at 84a Stafford Road shed, happy days indeed. Thanks for looking/commenting, much appreciated. Regards...Bill

[@anthonylockley1770]

Bill, thanks for your reply. One Sunday in my early teens, myself and a friend went into the Stafford rd shed, a kind engine-driver let us ride on the footplate of a King for about 100 yds, great thrill for me. Also trainspotting at Rugeley LMS line, fast stretch before the Trent Valley Station , used to love the big "City" engines roaring thro. I live in Toronto now, so these films bring back happy memories.

[@84asrd84boxy]

Anthony, regarding the Trent Valley line between Stafford and Rugby as a young lad I found Tamworth a great spot to see the best of what the LMS had to offer such as Jubillees, Scots, Princess and Coronation class loco's. But my preference of loco's was always to be former GWR and still is today. If you wish you will find more videos to watch from around the Midlands during the 60s on my channel. Regards...Bill

[@anthonylockley1770]

Thanks Bill, I am visiting the UK at the end of the month , hoping to get down to Somerset and see the restored tank which worked at Cannock and Rugeley colleries in the fifties. My father worked at Wimblebuy Colliery and during the school holidays I used to go and stay in the signal box with Mr. Reg Rollins and sometimes get a ride on the footplate of one of the colliery engines. The tank was named Cannock Wood and was bought from the Southern Railway in the 1920s It has been restored and painted in the green of the Southern Railway . Hope I get to see it on my trip, Best wishes, Tony

[@84asrd84boxy]

Anthony, regarding Wimblebury Colliery, there is a video on KZbin which I watched a few weeks ago and Wimblebury Colliery is on there. The title of the video is Ivo Peters complete collection it's just over 8 hours long. It's a long viewing time but well worth it. Enjoy your stay in The UK. Best Regards...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

Thanks for looking and commenting, after the closure of Low Level as a through main line station, where Victoria Halls stands now, became a scrap yard, the Wednesfield Rd bridge in theory still there, it was just filled in, yet the southern end of Low Level was Sun Street bridge which was demolished, also as you say Low Level should never have been closed, it was decided that because of the money spent on electrifying the West Coast Main line everything had to go under the wires. Cheers...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

I agree with you completely, many thanks for your comment, much appreciated...Bill

[@moirahole1395]

Just realised I spelled journeys wrong! 1950s - running hell for leather down the tunnel between High and Low Level (if we were not on the platform half an hour before the train left my Dad thought we would miss it.) The great GWR locos thundering into the station. I was born and bred in Bilston and my local station was Priestfield. My friends and I spent hours on end there watching the trains and tormenting the life out of the station master, in the good old days when it was only our empty tummies that persuaded us to go home. Happy days.

[@84asrd84boxy]

Moira, we were tought to spell correctly during our school days, one little slip doesn't go against you, we all do it from time to time. You mentioned Priestfield Station, I have uploaded a video where Priestfield is seen in the 60s, from memory it's called Snow Hill to Shrewbury 1960s or something like that, take a look if you wish, cheers..Bill

[@mickb4255]

Spent many a Saturday on the south end of the platform in the early 60's. We would wait for a King to be heading for Snow Hill and go for a ride as it was general knowledge we could make the round trip without a ticket. Then pannier tank and non corridor stock back to Dudley. Thanks for the memory.

[@84asrd84boxy]

Mick B Cheers Mick, thanks for looking/commenting, nice to know this bought back some fond memories for you...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

Thanks for looking/commenting....Bill

[@peterdudgon3830]

wow memories

[@84asrd84boxy]

Cheers Pete, great memories indeed of the former Wolverhampton Low Level Station. Thanks for taking the time to view and comment, much appreciated. Regards...Bill

[@84asrd84boxy]

Many thanks for looking/commenting. It's unfortunate that Low Level was closed completely, but I firmly believe that at the time of closure it was railway politics due to the cost of having 2 stations at Wolverhampton. The money that had been spent electrifying the West Coast Mainline basically meant that everything had to run under the wires...Bill

[@russrussyboyblue8991]

Love Wolverhampton

[@84asrd84boxy]

Hello Dave, thanks for your comment, what have we got now regarding diesels, very little variety, of types, so boring nowadays, just boxes on wheels, cheers...Bill

[@garethlloyd7103]

2. Elvis Presley - Polk Salad Annie Live (High Quality)

[@wellingtonnorthjunction3911]

Wow it’s a lot different now

[@risvegliato]

great video! I have to ask, though, is the audio genuine? its very well done, but I suspect its been added after tne fact.

[@84asrd84boxy]

It appears that the commentary has been added after the actual filming in the 1960s. Many thanks for taking the time to view and comment, much appreciated. Regards..Bill

[@garethlloyd7103]

Wolverhampton Low Level 1960s.

[@johnnysidhu3761]

my dad ownes that now its called the grand station banqueting hall (with a bussing partner)

[@LordGeorgeRodney]

commentator is is either Martin Tyler or Tiff Needell?

[@adam11111]

It could be worse they could still be closing stations here there and everywhere

[@judithmerricks5448]

Wow

[@84asrd84boxy]

Cheers Judith, those were happy days indeed. Thanks for taking the time to view and comment much appreciated. Regards...Bill

[@stevenbanaan]

what class is that engine at the beginning?

[@84asrd84boxy]

The loco shown at the start of the video is a 28/38XX class 2-8-0 GWR freight loco. Thanks for looking/commenting. Regards...Bill

[@stevenbanaan]

many thanks, that's one of the few GWR classes i don't know

[@84asrd84boxy]

No problem, only too glad to be of help. Regards...Bill

[@ymcaseptember6089]

So that abandoned house what is now a premier inn or some shit was the train station

[@jeffeffery8181]

1:06 Diesel10 IRL

[@Paul09]

D1000 in Desert BabyPoo Sands livery!

[@84asrd84boxy]

A unique livery for " Western Enterprise " the first of the class, personally I thought the green livery suited the loco's best, thanks for looking/commenting, cheers...Bill

[@tractorsmachinesro1405]

waw

[@lewstone1934]

modern life really is a sanitised heap of shit isn't it !

[@84asrd84boxy]

Too true. Regards...Bill

[@garethlloyd7103]

*1:34/

[@garethlloyd7103]

0:18/

[@tominnis8353]

Just a very sad waste.