NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 64
Oxley Shed September 1965
Michael L. Roach
In Part 61 I described a visit to a steam shed on the London Midland Region where the canal ran past the back wall of the shed building and allegedly the shed took the water for the engines from the canal. This is the story of another steam shed where the same thing was said to happen but this time the shed was originally on the Western Region. The shed was Oxley which was coded 2B in September 1965, but earlier had been 84B. Oxley Shed was the freight shed for the Wolverhampton area and was located on the south side of the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury line between Dunstall Park Station and the triangular junction where the Kingswinford Branch (from Stourbridge Junction) joined the main line. The canal was the Wolverhampton Level of the Birmingham Canal Navigations just east of Aldersley Junction. Oxley Shed was built by the GWR in 1907 while the passenger shed for Wolverhampton was at Stafford Road built in 1854 and rebuilt in the early 1930s. It closed in September 1963 when the remaining steam engines transferred to Oxley.
I set out by car on 31 August 1965 for a few days away staying in B and B to do some lineside photography and some rail trips. The specific reason for the trip will be revealed in a later instalment. The first night was spent at Shrewsbury where I often gravitated to the same area of the town at Coton Hill to find a bed and breakfast. Next day I travelled by train to Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Stourbridge and Tyseley. All the trains were either dmu or diesel-hauled, and most notable of recording was railcar W55012 (preserved on the Weardale Railway) working the 1½ minute trip from Stourbridge Junction to Town. Several steam engines were seen en-route and three steam sheds visited at Oxley, Stourbridge Junction and Tyseley. In this instalment I will show the photos taken that day in 1965 at Oxley Shed. Earlier in the year on 24 April 1965 there were 25 diesel and 53 steam engines shedded here.
I set out by car on 31 August 1965 for a few days away staying in B and B to do some lineside photography and some rail trips. The specific reason for the trip will be revealed in a later instalment. The first night was spent at Shrewsbury where I often gravitated to the same area of the town at Coton Hill to find a bed and breakfast. Next day I travelled by train to Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Stourbridge and Tyseley. All the trains were either dmu or diesel-hauled, and most notable of recording was railcar W55012 (preserved on the Weardale Railway) working the 1½ minute trip from Stourbridge Junction to Town. Several steam engines were seen en-route and three steam sheds visited at Oxley, Stourbridge Junction and Tyseley. In this instalment I will show the photos taken that day in 1965 at Oxley Shed. Earlier in the year on 24 April 1965 there were 25 diesel and 53 steam engines shedded here.
9F no. 92049 of 8B Warrington Dallam Shed receives some attention in the sunshine on 1 September 1965. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
8F no. 48510 of 16C Derby Shed stands in the sun. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A general view looking north west towards the sheds, showing a flower bed on the left ? The canal was on the left and the main line on the right of the shed. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
A clean Black 5 no. 45447 of 6J Holyhead Shed receives fresh supplies of coal. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Another view north west showing the coaling stage. The shed was ideally orientated to photograph the engines for several hours each day when the sun shone. I was there at around 11.00am having walked to the shed from Wolverhampton Low Level Station. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Many thanks for another interesting instalment, Mike.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
For more of Michaels articles, please click here.
Sea Wall Steam
Andrew Ford
7029 "Clun Castle" and 45596 "Bahamas" pass Langstone Rock, Dawlish Warren, with 1Z43 06.04 Birmingham New Street to Plymouth. 06.09.2025, copyright Andrew Ford.
5029 "Nunny Castle" is seen departing Dawlish Warren with 1Z49 the 05.53 Aylesbury to Kingswear. 08.09.2025, copyright Andrew Ford.
Two lovely, well-lit photographs Andrew - many thanks for sharing them with us.
What's that Duff?
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
An unidentified and unnamed class 47 departs Exeter St. Davids in 1986. Phil asks if anyone can ID the loco? Copyright Phil Smith.
An enlargement of the locomotive. Copyright Phil Smith.
A quick response from Karl Hewlett on this one:
The class 47 in Phil Smith's question I'm fairly certain is 47599. There is part of an orange ETH socket showing on the bufferbeam, the ghosting on the numbers (whilst blowing the image up looks right). I checked for 47569 just to make sure but that was already named by the date given, so only leaves 599.
The class 47 in Phil Smith's question I'm fairly certain is 47599. There is part of an orange ETH socket showing on the bufferbeam, the ghosting on the numbers (whilst blowing the image up looks right). I checked for 47569 just to make sure but that was already named by the date given, so only leaves 599.
Excellent detective work - many thanks, Karl.
Hele and Bradninch Station
Andrew Triggs
We visited the old GWR Bristol-Exeter Railway station yesterday, the station was closed to Passengers 4.10.1964 and to Freight 17.5.1965 The Goods Shed is now used as a Garage by RC Motors while the former Station Building is part of Trump Engineering's yard.
The former Station Building and remains of the Down platform. 08.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
The converted Goods Shed, which is now a Garage. 08.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Looking towards Silverton from the Level Crossing. 08.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Overlooking the fence of the Builder's yard, the rear elevation of the former Station Building. 08.09.2025, copyright Andrew Triggs.
Many thanks Andrew - still plenty to see, despite the years of closure.
Swanage Snaps
Andrew & Diane Jones
Dear Keith, Jon and Roger,
my apologies as I know I am stretching our area just a little bit but today Diane and I filled in an area that we have not explored for a long while.
The Swanage railway is an amazing organisation who against considerable odds rebuilt an entire line after BR rushed to lift it!
31806 was in steam during our visit today, Tuesday 9th September 2025.
Designed by Richard Maunsell, the U class designed in the 1920's (nick named U Boats) replaced the T9's and were a common site on the North Cornwall Railway.
The Swanage railway also is home to Bullied light Pacifics 257 Squadron and Manston designated battle of Britain class which also worked down to Bude and Padstow.
Diesel power was provided in the form of class 33 33012 which sounded wonderful from our cottage above Corfe Castle.
As if things couldn't get better, the Devon Belle observation car was in service bringing back those long lost memories of the glory of travelling by train in the distant past.
Oh and if you think it appropriate there is my attempt at an art shot looking through the key hole of the last carriage looking towards Wareham which the guard of the train explained was a goal to far for the railway due to union disputes and extravagant demands from BR!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
my apologies as I know I am stretching our area just a little bit but today Diane and I filled in an area that we have not explored for a long while.
The Swanage railway is an amazing organisation who against considerable odds rebuilt an entire line after BR rushed to lift it!
31806 was in steam during our visit today, Tuesday 9th September 2025.
Designed by Richard Maunsell, the U class designed in the 1920's (nick named U Boats) replaced the T9's and were a common site on the North Cornwall Railway.
The Swanage railway also is home to Bullied light Pacifics 257 Squadron and Manston designated battle of Britain class which also worked down to Bude and Padstow.
Diesel power was provided in the form of class 33 33012 which sounded wonderful from our cottage above Corfe Castle.
As if things couldn't get better, the Devon Belle observation car was in service bringing back those long lost memories of the glory of travelling by train in the distant past.
Oh and if you think it appropriate there is my attempt at an art shot looking through the key hole of the last carriage looking towards Wareham which the guard of the train explained was a goal to far for the railway due to union disputes and extravagant demands from BR!
Very best wishes Andrew and Diane
U Class 31806 at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
U Class 31806 at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
The Devon Belle observation car departing Swanage at the back of the train. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Southern region diesels on display at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
33012 runs round at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
33012 at Swanage. This locomotive is one of a few class 33's still mainline registered, hence the modern overhead live wire warning decals. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Semaphores and period correct signage on the Swanage Railway. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Bulleid Pacifics between duties at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Bulleid Pacifics between duties at Swanage. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
An arty shot looking through the key hole of the last carriage looking towards Wareham. 09.09.2025, copyright Andrew & Diane Jones.
Many thanks indeed Andrew & Diane. No need to apologise, Swanage is very much within our area of coverage and it's always great to see some photographs of the lovely railway.