Pittsteel No.1 – Another photo from Laurence Hodgkinson’s collection
It wasn’t until late 1967 that motive power arrived in the shape of Pittsteel Hibberd No.1. Development at Chasewater was slow and laborious and it wasn’t until 1970 that all stock at Hednesford had been transferred to Chasewater and the Hednesford depot closed.
Posted in From the Archive, Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Industrial Locos, Lichfield, Norton Canes, Pelsall, Pittsteel.Hibberd, Steam Trains, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
This time the Neilson – 2937/1882 carrying the ‘Alfred Paget ‘ nameplates – heading a freight train of wagons in various liveries (including rust!), with the Cannock Chase Colliery brake van – affectionally known as the ‘slum’ bringing up the rear.
This brake van has now fallen into major disrepair, with the chassis collapsing and breaking the sole bars. The interior of the van still remains dry. It has had a few coats of paint over the years, but, as the last known item of rolling stock which actually ran on the line in the mine-working years, it seems a shame that more cannot be done to restore it.
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Alfred Paget, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Chase Colliery Co., Cannock Wood, Causeway, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Lichfield, Neilson, Norton Canes, Pelsall, Steam Trains, The Slum, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
An early photograph of Chasewater Railway – a lot of work has been done since!!
We think that this is the area approaching what is now Chasewater Heaths Station – it’s changed a bit!! Probably taken in the late 60s/early 70s.
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Lichfield, Norton Canes, Old Railway Lines, Pelsall, Staffordshire, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
This photo by David Bathurst
The final selection in the collection of photographs given the the Chasewater Railway Museum by the family of Arthur (Jim) Higgins. Thank you.
These 14 photos were taken in 2003 and cover the erection and cladding of the Heritage centre at Chasewater Railway.
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Heritage Centre, Lichfield, Norton Canes, Pelsall, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
With Brownhills West Station up and running it was time to concentrate on the other end of the line, and Chasewater Heaths Station in particular.
This was also the time when I joined the Railway – the station walls were about knee high the first time I saw it!
I met Steve Organ to see what use I could be just as he was about to take a works train from Brownhills West to Chasewater Heaths with building materials and a large drum of water – there was no running water on site at that time, it was all taken by rail!
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Heaths Station, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Lichfield, Norton Canes, Pelsall, The End of the Line, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
Now that the new Brownhills West Station was pretty much finished on the outside, it was time for the plasterers, chippies and painters to get going on the inside!
Fortunately for us, Jim Higgins was there with his camera.
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Lichfield, New Brownhills West Station, Norton Canes, Pelsall, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
Another 9 photos of the new station at Brownhills West.
A selection showing the building of the new station from scaffold to external completion.
But there’s still a fair bit to do inside! That’s for the next selection.
Posted in Photograph Collection
Tagged Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Burntwood, Cannock, Cannock Wood, Chasewater Railway, Chasewater Railway Museum, Cheslyn Hay, Great Wyrley, Hazel Slade, Heath Hayes, Hednesford, Lichfield, New Brownhills West Station, Norton Canes, Pelsall, Walsall, Walsall Wood, Wolverhampton
The Museum has been given a collection of photographs of Chasewater Railway’s move from the old station to the new one and then on to Chasewater Heaths. The photos were taken by a Chasewater enthusiast, Mr Arthur (Jim) Higgins, and given to the Museum by his family.
They were taken over a period from September 2000 to 2003, which includes the building of the Heritage Centre.
This first selection shows the old Brownhills West Station, and its demise, taken between September 2000 and January 2001.
National Railway Museum version
Chasewater Railway version
Chasewater Railway Museum 