Kidderminster City is a train line station situated in the city of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England.The first train line station at Kidderminster was opened by the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Train line in 1854. It became a crucial intermediate station on the line which became part of the West Midland Train line in 1860.
In turn, the WMR was soaked up introduction the Great Western Train line ( GWR ) between 1863 and 1870. The opening of the Severn Valley Train line in 1862 had no direct effect on Kidderminster because passengers wanting to use the line modified at Hartlebury.The situation modified in 1878, when a "loop-line" was opened between Bewdley and Kidderminster, linking Kidderminster with the Severn Valley Line.
Nonetheless notwithstanding this most trains using the line ran thru Bewdley, and then the Wyre Forest line to Tenbury Wells or Woofferton. From about 1900, there had been a brisk passenger trade of travellers and day trippers from the West Midlands conurbation.Due to diminshing passenger numbers, the Severn Valley Line closed to through traffic in 1963.North of Bewdley, the line closed totally in early 1969 when Alveley colliery was closed down and freight traffic ceased. Passenger services on the Kidderminster, Bewdley and Hartlebury section adhered on till 1970.
The halt of traffic to Stourport power station in year 1979, and Kidderminster - Foley Park sugar company traffic in 1982 saw the end of regular UK Rail services off the primary line.The train line occupies a massive site as it is now home to the station itself, the Severn Valley Railway's station and, between them, what was the old goods yard but is now the station automobile park ( surprise ). The station building itself replaced a mock-Tudor building which was demolished in 1968 suffering seriously from dry rot!The view above-left is looking backwards towards Blakedown through the Comberton Hill road overbridge.
The more engaging shot above-right is taken from the other end of the platform from that the above-left picture was taken and shows 2 buffer stops to the left at the end of 2 rather disused looking lines and in the distance the footbridge which spans both the Kidderminster line and the Severn Valley line which is in the distance and to the right. Above-left we get an enhanced view of the building seen in the prior picture - along its roofline is made public 'British Rail Products & Coal Depot ' belying its past function.
It now serves as workshops for the Severn Valley Train line.Above the right sight that would have greeted passengers entering Kidderminster Station from Comberton Hill : now nevertheless this is the station for the Severn Valley Train line . The Kidderminster Station building is to the left. Actually , I can't say I have covered the Severn Valley Train line on this site in any detail it is definitely worth a visit as it is among the best saved steam railways in the United Kingdom, in my judgment, and makes a superb day out.