Bordesley station opened in 1855 on the GWR Birmingham to Oxford line between
Snow Hill and Acocks Green (Small Heath and Tyseley not opening until some time later), a couple of minutes journey from the former. Built entirely on a viaduct, the
station and assorted facilities were a significant structure housing a cattle station and goods yard along
with the passenger station itself. Unfortunately, the station has been considerably run down with all
but one island platform remaining in use, what were significant canopied platform buildings removed,
an extremely sparse timetable for stopping trains and the relegation of the station to an
unstaffed halt. Above we see possibly the least inviting station
entrance I have come across which is sited under a span of the viaduct which crosses Coventry Road near
its junction with Bedford Road.
Above-left we are standing in the doorway seen at the top of this page, looking-up
the staircase that leads to the only functioning platform. Above-right we have climbed to the top of the stairwell
and are looking back down it from platform level. The stairwell is gloomy, graffiti-covered and
if one closes their eyes, you could easily be mistaken for thinking you were in a urinal . . . not the
most inspiring of starts to a visit!
Above-left the top of the stairwell is to our immediate right and we are looking along
the island platform towards Small Heath: at first impression the rest of the station is on a par with its entrance. However,
a quick look around gives a few indications that the site has quite something to offer. To the left is
a disused, and falling apart, island platform which is heavily overgrown and missing its original
buildings. Above-right we have walked ahead to the other end of the platform and are looking back
at the platform shelter (concrete bunker) and beyond it the stairwell entrance in the direction of Moor Street.
Above-left we have turned to look towards Small Heath and the first signs of interest are apparent. The 'bridge'
structure crossing the line ahead carries the ex-Midland Railway's Camp Hill line over the GWR line and
beyond that, although not easily apparent in the photograph, is Bordesley's goods yard which is marked by
the large square building beyond the bridge that used to be a railway goods warehouse. In the foreground
is the top of a significant bridge over what was 'Sandy Lane' but is now 'Bordesley Middleway'. This is
an impressive span and worth viewing from road level - I plan to revisit and will provide a photograph
of this bridge when I do. Above-right we have turned to face Moor Street again and this shot gives a
good perspective on the width of the site, the now disused island platform to the right and the general
air of despair about the place: note the severe amount of graffiti on the wall. It is also apparent
in this shot that the track has been reduced to one up and one down line - in this shot we see the
line to Small Heath.
Above-left we are standing at the Moor Street end of the platform looking towards the
City with the top of the entrance stairwell immediately to our rear. The supports in the foreground are
above the Coventry Road. Above-right I thought it important to provide evidence that indeed trains
do still operate here and was fortunate enough to see 150109 speed through the station.
