page updated
5 October 2010

Ashchurch & Malvern Line

This page includes
MR274 Evesham Junction to Tewksbury Junction
MR275 Malvern to Ashchurch (BR Engineer's Line Reference AAM)
MR276 Malvern Wells Sidings
MR277 Tewksbury Quay Branch

Chronology

Date Event
1837 Ashchurch to Tewksbury authorised as a branch of the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway.
24 June 1840 Ashchurch Station opened.
21 July 1840 Ashchurch to Tewksbury (1st station) opened as a single line. There were no powers to use steam locomotives with many early period trains worked by horse power. The prohibition was never repealed! Working by time interval.
c1844 Line extended to Tewksbury Quay.
25 May 1860 Tewksbury & Malvern Railway incorporated and leased immediately by Midland Railway.
1 July 1862 Malvern Wells Station opened, plus line to Malvern Wells Junction. Working by time interval.
16 May 1864 Line and passenger service (only) diverted at Quay Branch Junction and opened to Malvern Wells. Tewksbury (2nd), Ripple and Upton Stations opened. Original line retained for goods traffic and Tewksbury (1st) Station closed to passengers and becomes Tewksbury Old Station (Goods). Tewksbury Junction to Tewksbury & Malvern Junction doubled. Working by time interval.
1 October 1864 Evesham Junction to Tewksbury Junction opened. Working by time interval.
1 September 1870 Tewksbury Quay Junction to Upton opened for goods traffic.
Before 1 November 1875 Tewksbury Junction, Tewksbury and Malvern Wells Station Signal Boxes opened.
1876 Ashchurch to Tewksbury block telegraph working introduced.
21 February 1877 Malvern Junction Sidings opened. Malvern Wells Sidings Signal Box opened.
1 July 1877 Tewksbury & Malvern Railway vested (taken over) in Midland Railway.
April 1889 Upton Station renamed Upton-on-Severn.
8 July 1890 Block telegraph working introduced between Tewksbury and Malvern Sidings in place of time interval working. Upton-on-Severn Signal box opened.
8 August 1890 Block telegraph working introduced throughout.
5 November 1893 Tewksbury Junction Signal Box replaced.
1 February 1901 Ashchurch ticket platform taken out.
6 April 1902 Tewksbury Signal Box reframed.
by 1904 Malvern Junction Sidings renamed Malvern Sidings.
21 February 1905 Malvern Junction Sidings signal box replaced, old lever-frame moved into new box.
18 January 1911 Ripple Signal Box closed, replaced by ground frame.
9 July 1913 Tewksbury to Upton-on-Severn up line used for storing wagons; single line working by pilotman over down line.
27 August 1913 Tewksbury to Upton-on-Severn double line working reinstated.
18 February 1914 Tewksbury to Upton-on-Severn up line used for storing wagons; single line working by pilotman (pilot guard from 23 February) over down line.
1 July 1914 Tewksbury to Upton-on-Severn double line working reinstated.
31 December 1916 Tewksbury to Upton-on-Severn single line working by train staff and ticket introduced.
18 May 1920 Replacement Tewksbury Signal Box opened.
1 January 1923 Midland Railway incorporated into London Midland and Scottish Railway.
16 October 1927 Tewksbury Signal Box closed.
9 November 1942 Ripple ground frame removed.
15 May 1945 Replacement Malvern Wells Station signal box opened.
26 May 1946 Replacement Upton-on-Severn signal box opened.
1946 Malvern Sidings renamed Malvern New Midland Sidings.
1 January 1948 London Midland and Scottish Railway incorporated into British Railways.
2 March 1951 Malvern Wells Station renamed Malvern Hanley Road.
1 December 1952 Upton-on-Severn to Malvern Sidings Junction and Malvern Hanley Road Station closed.
September 1953 Upton-on-Severn to Malvern New Midland Sidings track lifted.
1 February 1957 Tewksbury Loco Shed to Quay closed.
5 May 1957 Evesham Junction to Tewksbury Junction closed.
June 1958 Tewksbury Junction to Tewksbury singled.
20 July 1958 Upton-on-Severn signal box closed and replaced by three ground frames.
27 July 1958 Ashchurch Junction (Tewksbury Line Junction) signal box on platform end replaced by new box on down side of B&GR.
by 19 May 1959 New alignment into use between Tewksbury and Ripple (M50 bridge).
14 August 1961 Line closed for passengers. Tewksbury, Ripple & Upton-on-Severn Stations closed. Tewksbury Loco Shed closed.
17 December 1961 Ashchurch to Upton-on-Severn working changed to one engine in steam, replacing electric token working. Tewksbury Signal Box closed and replaced by ground frame for access to Quay Branch. Tewksbury Loco Shed and Chance Street Level Crossing to Oldbury Road Level Crossing closed.
18 December 1961 Ripple closed to goods.
c1961 Track between Upton and Malvern taken up, land offered back to adjoining land owners in accord with original Act of Parliament. Most land owners took up the offer but one or two didn't which gave the Worcester Wildlife Trust the opportunity to purchase part of the route.
7 September 1962 Quay Branch Junction to Tewksbury Loco Shed closed together with the loco shed.
1 July 1963 Upton-on-Severn Goods closed.
2 November 1964 Ashchurch to Upton-on-Severn closed completely.
1 May 1968 Malvern New Midland Sidings, Malvern Wells Sidings Junction to Malvern Wells Junction closed.
15 November 1971 Ashchurch Station closed.
1986 Volume 2 of "An Historical Survey of Selected LMS Stations" published. Includes layout, signal box diagram and pictures of Upton-upon-Severn.
30 May 1997 Ashchurch for Tewksbury Station opens on site of main line platforms of previous station.

Mileages & Infrastructure

The initial seed of information is taken from the Midland Railway Distance Book, sheet 50, dated 1913. Mileages are in miles and chains with zero at Ashchurch (Tewksbury Line Junction) in accord with the Midland Railway's re-miling exercise of c1907. Mileages had previously been from zero at the Malvern end, precise zero point not currently known. Station mileages are quoted at mid point in accord with normal railway practice. Bridge numbers continue from MR272 Barnt Green - Ashchurch via Evesham line. Down direction is Derby > Worcester > Malvern > Ashchurch, except for MR274 which Down from Derby via Evesham.

A Google earth locations file is available.


*** MR276 ***    
Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
13m 29c N
W
End of line, Malvern Wells Sidings
13m 15c N52.099560
W2.321517
[5] Malvern Wells Sidings Signal Box. See MR275 for details.
13m 13c N
W
[0] Malvern Wells Sidings Junction. See MR275 for details.

*** MR275 ***    
Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
13m 29c N52.101399
W2.321507
[445] Malvern Wells Junction. Leads off Worcester & Hereford Railway facing Great Malvern. Junction controlled by GWR Malvern & Tewksbury Junction Signal Box on up side.
13m 15c N52.099560
W2.321517
[440] Malvern Wells Sidings Signal Box. Located in the vee of the junction.
13m 13c N
W
[435] Malvern Wells Sidings Junction. Line to Sidings diverges on down side.
N52.098001
W2.321441
[430] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map.
  N52.095742
W2.321299
[425] Overbridge, Peachfield Road.
N52.094545
W2.321190
[420] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map.
  N52.087307
W2.320181
[415] Underbridge, Warren Farm.
  N52.085480
W2.319830
[410] Occupation Crossing, Warren Farm.
Location MR275 [410] Pictures ...
Looking towards Malvern
19 May 2010
now public footpath to [425]
Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
now private farmland

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.079314
W2.316339
[405] Overbridge, Hanley Road, Malvern. The station approach road was on the Malvern Wells side of the bridge and still exists as a private drive.
Location MR275 [405] Pictures ...
Looking towards [400]
19 May 2010
now private drive
Looking towards [400]
19 May 2010
two trees now mark the platforms site

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
11m 58c N52.0787659
W2.315605
[400] Malvern Wells Station. Referred to by Bradshaw in 1882/3 as Malvern Wells Hanley Road and this appeared in LMSR timetable in October 1947. Formally renamed by British Rail from 2 March 1951. The station and goods yard have been completely erased and there is nothing now visible to suggest they ever existed.
11m 55c N
W
Malvern Wells Signal Box. Located on up side.
N
W
[385] Start of station area widening.
  N52.075501
W2.305544
[380] Possible accomodation underbridge, or more likely a footpath crossing. Now on private land, no public access.
  N52.074756
W2.303188
[375] Overbridge, Blackmore Park Road. There is nothing here now to suggest that a bridge ever existed. The embankment approach shown on the 1896 OS map each side of the line has been levelled out and the shallow railway cutting has filled in so that road and railway route are now on the same level.
Location MR275 [375] Pictures ...
Looking northward
8 March 2011
the line passed under the large shadow
in the middle of the view
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
vegetation take over
the jungle continues to [370]
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
 the line passed in front of the trees and through where the shed now stands 

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.073569
W2.299318
[370] Public Footpath Crossing. The footpath is still in use and dips down into the shallow cutting. The line of the trackbed is still visible but is now private land with no public access.
Location MR275 [370] Pictures ...
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
now a linear meadow
note the barbed wire
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
vegetation take over
the jungle continues to [375]

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.073059
W2.297619
[365] Underbridge? Site is private land, no public access.
N 52.072975
W2.297391
[360] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.071200
W2.291271
[355] Footpath (or underbridge) or quite possibly nothing.
  N52.070712
W2.288373
[350] Underbridge, Gloucester Road, Welland. Pictures.

Location MR275 [350] Pictures ...

Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
embankment trimmed well back
The bridge commemorated
19 May 2010
in the name of the bungalow adjoining

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.070617
W2.287550
[345] Mile Post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907. Track bed from 340 to 350 is now private land, no public access.
  N52.069945
W2.279041
[340] Accomodation crossing. Present day end of nature trail is just after this point.
N52.069725
W2.276500
[335] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.069493
W2.274070
[330] Footpath crossing. Footpath still rises up the embankment on each side of the line.
N52.069282
W2.270665
[325] Overhead power lines.
  N52.069006
W2.267938
[320] Overbridge No.116, Brotheridge Green. Still BRB(Residuary) responsibility. The bridge is a substantial brick structure, slightly skew of the railway line. At track level it now marks the start of Brotheridge Green Nature Reserve, the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust's linear nature trail which runs to [340]. There is off-road parking space at road level, south side of the line, for three or four cars (depending on how tidily parked), Lineside can be accessed through a gate which was probably originally a maintenance staff access. There are steps down to the trackside but these are rotting and uncared for. A sloping path has been made on the down side embankment for safe access.
Location MR275 [320] Pictures ...
Looking north
19 May 2010
car parking out of view, left.
Looking south
19 May 2010
Looking towards Malvern
19 May 2010
from over the parapet
Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
from over the parapet - jungle ahead
Nature Trail Notice
19 May 2010
alongside the trackbed
Looking towards Malvern
19 May 2010
well vegetated haven for butterflies
Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
Looking towards Ashchurch
19 May 2010
the unkempt jungle

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.068786
W2.264795
[315] Mile Post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.068525
W2.261389
[310] Public footpath still in use. Part of the embankment towards [305] was removed some years ago to improve agricultural movement round the farm. The track bed is private land with no public access.
Location MR275 [310] Pictures ...
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
embankment section removed
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
well overgrown

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.068211
W2.257515
[305] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.067972
W2.254534
[300] Accomodation crossing.
N52.067757
W2.251790
[295] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907. Much of the embankment between here and [310] has been raised since the line closed so as to act as a sound barrier against clay pigeon shooting which is now carried on south of the line.
  N52.067327
W2.246007
[290] Public footpath crossing linking Brotheridge Road with Hook Road. The footpath is still in use and new gates have been erected both sides of the line. The track bed towards [285] appears to be walkable although it is private land. The Boynes nature reserve occupies the meadows immediately south of the railway line.
Location MR275 [290] Pictures ...
New gates
8 March 2011
north side of line
Notice
8 March 2011
south side of line
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
appears walkable
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
cattle on the line

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.065686
W2.237301
[285] Public footpath crossing linking New Street and West Bank, Upper Hook Road. The footpath is still in use. Steps down embankment each side of line. The track bed is walkable as far as [280] and part of the way towards [290].
Location MR275 [285] Pictures ...
The railway cutting
8 March 2011
this ran left (Ashchurch direction) to right
(Malvern direction)in a cutting dividing the
ploughed field from the meadow on the
horizon
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
over the stile then walkable to [280]
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
walkable towards [290]
Notice post
8 March 2011
at the top of the steps, north side
 old bull head rail reused
to carry the usual warning signs 

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.064544
W2.233934
[280] Overbridge No.115, Upper Hook Road. Still BRB(Residuary) responsibility. The bridge is a substantial brick structure, slightly skew of the railway line. Land towards Ashchurch now incorporated into Willingsworth Farm, better known today as Clive's Fruit Farm. Trackbed, on embankment, towards [275] is currently used as a free range piggery. Towards Malvern the track bed is walkable as far as [285] but access is not recommended or really practicable at this end. The notice at track level is positioned to be read by people approaching from under the bridge .. it reads
The Old Railway Line
You are now stood on the old Upton to Malvern Railway Line. The line opened on 16 May 1864 and closed on 1 December 1952.
Upton station was busy; there were about 10 passenger trains a day and about 3 goods trains.
The track ran from Malvern to Ashchurch, Tewksbury, which provided a good link to many other parts of the country.
Tradesmen brought their goods to the station by Horse and Dray and the trains were used to transport Fish, cine films to be shown in cinemas, timber, agricultural machinery and fruit. It was not unusual to see farmers queuing to get their produce on the train.
The track was lifted in 1953.
The owner of Pigeonhouse Farm tells me the track wasn't lifted until 1961 - and he bought that part which had previously been part of his farm.
Location MR275 [280] Pictures ...
Embankment Ashchurch side
8 March 2011
Soft fruits to the left in season,
pigs through the gates
Looking north east
8 March 2011
part of Willingsworth farm house visible
Looking south west
8 March 2011
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
Looking down, Malvern side
8 March 2011
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
Looking towards Ashchurch
8 March 2011
Malvern side
8 March 2011
Looking towards Malvern
8 March 2011
walkable to [285]
Notice at 'track level'
8 March 2011

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.062874
W2.229078
[275] Underbridge, Cut Throat Lane. The bridge has gone and the footpath drops down the side of the embankment to road level. The northern end of Cut Throat Lane is now used as an access to the sewage disposal works which is located on the south side of the line. It is gated to deter four-by-four hooligans using the lane as an 'off road' route, only authorised vehicles to the sewage works are allowed. The whole length of it is bridleway 37 from Pool Brook to Tunnel Hill and can be used by horses and cycles (and people).
An extract from the Worcester News of 1st February 2010 reads "Apologies, therefore, if Upton has disappeared under water by the time you read this. On the day the walk was checked, in late January, many fields were flooded and the intended route had to be altered.
But flooding is nothing new in Upton and the very first footpath of the walk runs along the top of a causeway built centuries ago to provide a way into town during times of flood. It links Upton with a bridleway leading to slightly higher ground at Tunnel Hill. The bridleway goes by the rather grisly name of Cut Throat Lane and beside it is an equally grisly reminder of past hardship – the site of a burial ground from 1832 when so many Upton people died from waterborne cholera that there was no room for them in the churchyard."

Location MR275 [275] Pictures ...
The 'Causeway'
8 January 2012
looking towards Upton in customary
wet mode, this is the road from Upton
to Brotheridge Green and Welland
Try Your Brakes ..
8 January 2012
.. court is in session
Cut Throat Lane
8 January 2012
northern end viewed from the causeway
The Bridge Was Here
8 January 2012
looking towards the causeway
The Bridge Was Here
8 January 2012
looking towards Tunnel Hill, sewage
works entrance to left, bridleway to right
End of The Path
8 January 2012
the slope down from the embankment
the bridge was on the right hand
edge of the picture
Cholera Burial Ground 1832
8 January 2012
south side of line,
railway embankment behind
N52.06290 W2.22958
Culvert under line
8 January 2012
immediately Malvern side of
Cut Thoat Lane bridge
The Jungle
8 January 2012
The section from 275 towards 280 is,
presumably, private but a reasonably well
defined path can be followed ..
The Jungle
8 January 2012
.. until we reach the piggery
Willingsworth Farm House
8 January 2012
aka Clive's Fruit Farm
Telegraph Pole Stump
8 January 2012
south side of embankment by
Cut Throat Lane bridge at
N52.06317 W2.22962
Cut Throat Lane behind hedge
8 January 2012
viewed looking towards Ashchurch
from the embankment

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.06111
W2.22343
[272] Accomodation Underbridge.
Location MR275 [272] Pictures ...
Accomodation Underbridge
8 January 2012
trackbed looking towards Ashchurch
Accomodation Underbridge
8 January 2012
trackbed looking towards Malvern
Accomodation Underbridge
8 January 2012
viewed from north side of line
Accomodation Underbridge
8 January 2012
viewed from south side of line
Accomodation Underbridge
8 January 2012
brickwork under the line

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.060572
W2.222075
[270] Footpath Underbridge.
Location MR275 [270] Pictures ...
Footpath Underbridge
8 January 2012
It must have been quite substantial if the
visible wall is the lower part of the original,
and it does look as though it is
Footpath Underbridge
8 January 2012
It must have been quite substantial if the
visible wall is the lower part of the original,
and it does look as though it is
Footpath Underbridge
8 January 2012
looking towards Ashchurch, embankment
removed to enlarge the sports grounds
 
The Elevated Track Bed
8 January 2012
looking towards Malvern
now an official footpath
Bullhead Rail
8 January 2012
just a few feet from the start
of the surviving embankment at
N52.06065 W2.22205

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.059947
W2.220378
[265] Underbridge. All trace of this went when the embankment was removed to allow extension of the playing fields.
N52.059739
W2.219742
[260] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.059495
W2.219052
[255] Underbridge, Old Street (A4104), Upton-on-Severn.
Location MR275 [255] Pictures ...
Old Street Under Bridge
8 January 2012
Gone, without a trace.
The car on the left marks the bridge position and the road turned sharp right in front of the yellow car.
Nowadays the road is re-aligned and the old section of road is just an access track and lay-bye
Old Street Under Bridge
8 January 2012
'under the bridge'
looking towards Malvern, embankment
removed to enlarge the sports grounds
Old Street Under Bridge
8 January 2012
'under the bridge'
looking towards Malvern, embankment
removed to enlarge the sports grounds
Old Street Under Bridge
8 January 2012
'under the bridge'
looking towards Ashchurch
at Upton's Fire Station
Upton station site
8 January 2012
Behind the fire station the ground still
rises to the station and goods yard site

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
7m 17c N52.058323
W2.216662
[245] Upton-on-Severn Station. Originally Upton.
Location MR275 [245] Pictures ...
Upton station site
8 January 2012
looking towards Ashchurch
Upton station site
8 January 2012
looking towards Malvern
Upton station site
8 January 2012
an abandoned air about it
Upton station site
8 January 2012
an abandoned air about it
Upton station site
8 January 2012
an abandoned air about it
Upton goods yard
8 January 2012
looking towards Malvern

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
7m 14c N52.057770
W2.216100
[240] Upton-on-Severn Signal Box. Located on the down side.
N52.057298
W2.215648
[235] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.056928
W2.215291
[230] Footpath. The footpath is still here, but there is nothing to suggest the railway ever existed.
Location MR275 [230] Pictures ...
Railway? What Railway?
8 January 2012
looking towards Upton and Malvern
Railway? What Railway?
8 January 2012
looking towards Ashchurch

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.053910
W2.212331
[225] Crossing, Rectory Road, Upton-on-Severn. Probably an occuptation (or user worked) crossing as it led to flood meadows and Buryend Farm.
Location MR275 [225] Pictures ...
Railway? What Railway?
8 January 2012
looking towards Upton and Malvern
nothing here to suggest a railway either

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.051253
W2.208630
[220] Underbridge (stream).
N52.049806
W2.203159
[215] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
6m 21c N52.049497
W2.201143
[210] River Severn Bridge No.108, Saxon's Lode. The bridge is long gone but part of the wall seems to survive on the east side of the river, probably because a River Flow Measurement Station now occupies the railway alignment. On the west bank the embankment is trimmed back from the river and the Severn Way long distance path hugs the river bank.
Location MR275 [210] Pictures ...
Bridge That Gap!
15 January 2012
 looking westwards where bridge 108 once proudly stood 
River Flow Measurement Station
15 January 2012
looking west across the River Severn.
River Flow Measurement Station
15 January 2012
looking south
No Entry! for Panzers
15 January 2012
a pill box still guards the
eastern end of the bridge
Air Ministry North GF
15 January 2012
roughly where the black sack bales are now

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
6m 16c     North Ground Frame, north end of Air Ministry Sidings on down side.
N52.048551
W2.197012
[205] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
Location MR275 [225] Pictures ...
Air Ministry Sidings
15 January 2012
looking towards Upton and Malvern the railway ran to the left of the green fence line
and the sidings were to the right, inside the compound, as viewed here from [200]

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
5m 77c     South Ground Frame, south end of Air Ministry Sidings on down side.
  N52.047129
W2.195291
[200] Overbridge No.107, Saxon's Lode, Uckinghall. Still BRB(Residuary) responsibility.
Location MR275 [200] Pictures ...
Looking South towards Ashchurch
15 January 2012
the down line ran along the green strip in the middle and,
yes, that black blob is a surviving Permanent Way hut in the middle distance.
North Side of Bridge 107
15 January 2012
looking towards Ashchurch

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.046058
W2.194518
[195] Mile post. Estimated position from 1886 OS map. Removed by MR Engineer c1907.
  N52.044586
W2.193556
[190] Footpath. Although shown on old maps this right of way has dissapeared over the years.
Location MR275 [190] Pictures ...
The Old Permanent Way Hut
15 January 2012
made of old sleepers stood on end and a sleeper roof now covered in foliage. The 'cracks' in the wall were filled with cardboard and paper to keep out drafts. The farmer tells me the timber is now well rotted and it will soon be removed. Just Malvern side of [190] at N52.045017 W2.193728

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
  N52.042955
W2.192386
[185] Underbridge ?
  N52.041745
W2.191462
[180] Underbridge (footpath).
  N52.038345
W2.188822
[175] Overbridge No.106, Station Road, Ripple. Still BRB(Residuary) responsibility. Access under the bridge is via a narrow gate which is kept padlocked.
Location MR275 [175] Pictures ...
Bridge 106 "Over the Parapet"
15 January 2012
north of the bridge has become a jungle
Bridge 106 "Over the Parapet"
15 January 2012
south of the bridge lies the station
Bridge 106 "Over the Parapet"
15 January 2012
the station buildings and platform are visible, modern buildings have been built on the forecourt
Bridge 106
15 January 2012
north side
Bridge 106
15 January 2012
south (station) side

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
      Ripple Signal Box (up side).
5m 15c N52.037247
W2.188011
[170] Ripple Station. Remains as "Station House" with the main building and platform intact. New buildings have been erected in the forecourt. Although close to the road it is largely screened from view by hedges and trees.
The nearby hostelry, opposite the station approach road, still retains the name "The Railway Inn" and widely advertises itself as a free house and restaurant.
Location MR275 [170] Pictures ...
Ripple Station
15 January 2012
the brickwork is quite distinctive

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.035753
W2.187058
[165] Footbridge (public footpath). The footpath is still here but of the footbridge, shown on 19th century maps, there is no trace.
On Bow Lane, by the path entrance, there are eight bull head rails forming part of the fence. Each one still has a fish plate bolt in it.
Location MR275 [165] Pictures ...
The Trackbed
15 January 2012
an inpenetrable jungle
Bull Head Fencepost
15 January 2012
with fishplate bolt

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
[162] There were once gravel pits and a tramway between the footpath and the later route of the M50. No trace now, probably filled in.
Location MR275 [162] Pictures ...
Gravel Pits
15 January 2012

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.032438
W2.184024
[160] Underbridge, M50. Built much to the annoyance of the Ministry Against Rail Transport because BR would not close the railway just to suit the road builders. Either when built, or soon after, a water main was carried over the bridge which ensured its survival long after the railway did close.
A notice in October 2011 allowed an 18 month period for temporary closures of Bow Lane to allow diversion of the water pipe, lifting out the railway bridge and strengthening the road bridge.
Location MR275 [160] Pictures ...
Looking towards Ashchurch
15 January 2012
water main in pipe on up side
Looking towards Ashchurch
15 January 2012
water main diversion under way
Looking towards Ashchurch
15 January 2012
water main diversion under way
Bridge End
15 January 2012
south end, all four corners had steps
Looking towards Malvern
15 January 2012
Drain Holes ..
15 January 2012
.. make fine plant pots
North End Wall
15 January 2012
Looking towards Malvern
15 January 2012
M50 from the Bridge
15 January 2012
looking towards The Twittocks
M50 Rises to cross Severn
15 January 2012
looking towards the west

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.030499
W2.181819
[155] Accommodation Crossing (?). May have been created since railway closed.
4m 26c N52.026296
W2.177750
[150] Worcestershire - Gloucestershire County Boundary. The railway was on an embankment here. The bridge is over Mythe Brook which is the county boundary at this point, thus the bridge straddles the county boundary as well as the water.
Location MR275 [150] Pictures ...
Under Bridge
15 January 2012

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
4m 22c N52.025754
W2.177143
[145] Underbridge, Bow Lane. Abutments still BRB(Residuary) responsibility.
Location MR275 [145] Pictures ...
Looking east
15 January 2012
Looking west
15 January 2012
Malvern side
15 January 2012
brickwork detail,
clearly built for a double line railway

Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
N52.016250
W2.171991
[130] Overbridge.
N52.012859
W2.170953
[125] Underbridge, footpath
N52.010395
W2.168590
[120] Underbridge, The Stalls
3m 41c N
W
North No.1 Ground Frame
3m 16c N
W
North No.2 Ground Frame
2m 59c N
W
[115] Tewksbury Tunnel No.99, north portal.
2m 40c N52.002636
W2.161277
[110] Tewksbury Tunnel No.99, south portal. 418 yards in length. Sometimes called Mythe Tunnel.
N52.002219
W2.160876
[105] Underbridge, accomodation; or accomodation crossing.
N52.001792
W2.160349
[100] Underbridge, accomodation; or accomodation crossing.
N52.000069
W2.157468
[95] Underbridge, accomodation.
2m 15c N51.999462
W2.156059
[90] Three Arches Viaduct, Old River Avon.
2m 09c N51.998846
W2.154748
[85] Avon Bridge No.94.
N51.998141
W2.153113
[80] Underbridge, Bredon Road, Tewksbury.
N51.997062
W2.151004
[75] Underbridge, Cotteswold Road, Tewksbury.
N51.996483
W2.149196
[70] Underbridge, Station Lane, Tewksbury.
1m 61c N51.996293
W2.148130
[65] Tewksbury Station. Also single road loco shed latterly sub-shed to Gloucester 22B.
1m 52c N
W
[60] Tewksbury Station Signal Box. Located in the vee of the junction.
1m 47c N51.996321
W2.144042
[55] Quay Branch Junction. Original route into Tewksbury joins on up.
N51.996760
W2.142195
[50] Underbridge, Northway Lane, Tewksbury.
N51.997739
W2.133459
[45] Underbridge, Gannaway Lane, Tewksbury.
1m 00c N51.998004
W2.129399
[40] Milepost. Estimated position from 1886 OS map.
N51.998650
W2.123267
[35] Intersection with M5 Motorway, built since closure of railway.
N51.998861
W2.120848
[30] Intersection with Alexandra Way, built since closure of railway.
N51.999387
W2.112231
[25] Tewksbury Junction. Connection to Provender Store sidings that ran north east through what is now Northway Trading Estate and joined up with the Birmingham & Gloucester main line.
N51.999344
W2.112040
[20] Overbridge No.89, Northway Lane. Still BRB(Residuary) responsibility.
0m 17c N51.999339
W2.111891
[15] Tewksbury Junction. Ashchurch & Evesham line joins on down.
0m 13c N
W
Tewksbury Junction Signal Box. Located in vee of the junction on Midland Railway Distance Diagrams. OS map of 1886 seems to show it immediately west of Northway Lane bridge.
0m 07c N51.998483
W2.109065
[5] Ashchurch Station. Sometimes referred to in Bradshaw as Ashchurch for Tewksbury (1861), and again in 1961.
0m 00c N51.997908
W2.108758
[0] Tewksbury Line Junction, line diverges from Birmingham & Gloucester Railway, junction facing for trains from Gloucester.

*** MR277 ***    
Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
2m26c N51.995705
W2.160805
[60] Tewksbury Quay and end of branch.
2m 17c N51.995224
W2.158695
[55] Healing's Siding
N51.995199
W2.158015
[50] Underbridge, River Avon
2m 12c N51.995006
W2.156555
[45] High Street Level Crossing
2m 09c N51.994930
W2.155705
[40] Tewksbury Old Station
2m 07c N51.994959
W2.155215
[35] Oldbury Road Level Crossing
2m 06c N
W
[30] Engine Shed Siding
1m 77c N51.994883
W2.152328
[25] Chance Street Level Crossing.
1m 75c N
W
[20] Downing's Siding.
1m 69c N51.995279
W2.149544
[15] Tewksbury Goods.
N51.995235
W2.147934
[10] Goods Yard entrance points
1m 52c [5] Tewksbury Station Signal Box. See MR275 for details.
1m 47c   [0] Quay Branch Junction. See MR275 for details.

*** MR274 ***    
Distance Lat/Long Pin Location & Comments
84m 42c N52.000476
W2.107014
[0] Evesham Junction, datum point Derby London Road Junction via Whiteacre Junction, Camp Hill and Evesham.
  N52.000126
W2.107738
[5] Footpath or occupation crossing.
84m 50c N51.999785
W2.108765
[10] Flat crossing of Birmingham to Gloucester Line.
84m 58c     Tewksbury Junction Signal Box. See MR275 for details.
84m 62c     Tewksbury Junction. See MR275 for details.