Rail transport in Staffordshire

Rail transport in Staffordshire

Rail transport in Staffordshire has a long history. Stafford itself is a major "crossroads" on the West Coast Main Line, handling passenger and freight services between London and Scotland along with traffic travelling between Manchester and Birmingham. Stoke-on-Trent was once a major railway centre, especially for traffic associated with the coal mining and pottery industries, but in recent years this traffic has almost completely disappeared.

History

* Grand Junction Railway (1833 - 1846)
* London and North Western Railway (1846 - 1922)
* North Staffordshire Railway (1845 - 1922) 220.75 miles (355 km)
* Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway (narrow gauge) (1904 - 1922) 8.25 miles (13 km)
* London, Midland and Scottish Railway (1923 - 1948)
* British Rail (1947 - 1997)
** London Midland Region (British Railways) (1948 - ?)
** Western Region of British Railways (1948 - 1963)
** Regional Railways (1981 - 1996)
** InterCity (British Rail) (1981 - 1997)

* Central Trains (1997 - todate)
* Northern Rail (2004 - todate)
* North Western Trains (1997 - 1998)
* First North Western (1998 - 2004)
* Virgin Cross-Country (1997 - todate)
* Virgin West Coast (1997 - todate)

The decline of the railways

Staffordshire's railways were considerably reduced by the Beeching Axe in the 1960s. The famous Loop Line along with several other routes were closed, while several stations, such as Uttoxeter, only narrowly missed closure. A considerable number of coal mines retained their railway connections, but with the decline of the industry, very few survive.

Stone, Barlaston, Norton Bridge and Wedgwood last saw rail services in 2003, but Stone may re-open in its own right due to heavy local campaigning. Etruria, no longer used by local workers, closed in 2005.

Current lines

*West Coast Main Line
*Chase Line
*Crewe to Derby Line

Closed lines

*Cheadle Branch Line
*Potteries Loop Line
*South Staffordshire Line
*Stafford and Uttoxeter Railway

Heritage railways

*Chasewater Railway
*Churnet Valley Railway
*Foxfield Light Railway
*Rudyard Lake Steam Railway

References

External links

* [http://www.search.exploringthepotteries.org.uk/engine/theme/default.asp?theme=272 Historic photographs of railways in North Staffordshire]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Staffordshire — Geography Status Ceremonial (smaller) Non metropolitan county …   Wikipedia

  • 1968 in rail transport — EventsJanuary events* January 6 The Hixon rail crash occurs when a low loader road transporter is struck by an express train on an automatic half barrier level crossing at Hixon, Staffordshire, England. 11 people are killed. This has… …   Wikipedia

  • 1961 in rail transport — Events January events * January 4 Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke delivers the first electric locomotives built in the German Democratic Republic to Deutsche Reichsbahn. * January 16 Eastern Region of British Railways takes delivery of D9001 …   Wikipedia

  • 1986 in rail transport — EventsJanuary events* January 1 ndash; The Soo Line Railroad fully absorbs the Milwaukee Road after attempting to operate it as a subsidiary railroad. * January 3 ndash; Vancouver s SkyTrain begins operations between the waterfront and New… …   Wikipedia

  • North Staffordshire Railway — Locale North Staffordshire United Kingdom Dates of operation 1845–1923 Successor London, Midland and Sco …   Wikipedia

  • Colwich rail crash — Date and time 19 September 1986 18:28 Location Colwich Junction, Staffordshire, England Rail line West Co …   Wikipedia

  • Staffordshire University — Motto Create the difference Established 1992 gained University status 1971 North Staffordshire Polytechnic Type Public …   Wikipedia

  • Transport in Birmingham — Birmingham is a major transport hub, due in part to its location in central England. Public transport in the city is overseen by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive whose public brand is Centro/Network West Midlands.RailwaysHistoryThe …   Wikipedia

  • GNR Derbyshire and Staffordshire Extension — Legend Cross Country Route …   Wikipedia

  • List of rail accidents (1950–1999) — List of rail accidents from 1950 to 1999.For historic accidents before 1950, see List of pre 1950 rail accidents .For accidents from 2000 to the present, see List of rail accidents . notoc 1950s 1950* February 17 1950 ndash; Rockville Centre, New …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”