The Alcester Branch
- The Alcester Branch
- The six mile single track branch from Bearley to Alcester originated in the 1860s but had the misfortune to fall between the ares of two rivals - The midland and the GWR. This effectively prevented the route from being brought into existence until the following decade when the GWR and the Midland came to an arrangement whereby the branch line would be built with Great Western help and worked as part of the GWR, while terminating in Alcester in a sort of 'joint' station shared by both companies.
- The branch functioned until 1917, when it was closed as an emergency measure during World War One. It was re-opened, with an additional stopping place at Aston Cantlow, in 1922-23, but its subsequent traffic receipts were disappointing, and the line was closed for a second time during World War Two. However, it was then re-opened again in 1941 to cater for workmen's traffic to and from Great Alne, where a factory had been hastily set up following wartime damage to Maudslay's engineering works in Coventry.
- Following a further withdrawal of passenger services in 1944, the branch remained in use for wagon storage and occasional freight traffic until the 1950s with the final closure being effected in 1960.
- The history of this little known GWR line has never been the subject of full monograph before and it is therefore hoped that this present volume will fill a gap.
- 104 pages, 2005. Laminated Card Cover
- Wild Swan Publications
- ISBN-10 1905184050
- ISBN-13 9781905184057
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