MEMORY MONDAY “Then & Now”
Today’s old photograph, from the early part of the 20th Century, is of Tile Hill Station, looking towards Tile Hill Village. The Gate Keeper’s cottage with attached single-storey ticket office can be seen on the right-hand side. Many of us will remember the level crossing at this point, before it was closed in 2004 in preparation for the construction of the new road bridge, seen here in 2019.
Tile Hill Station: a potted history
1838: The railway to Birmingham is constructed through Nether and Over Fletchampstead and Tile Hill, the station then being known as Allesley Lane Station. 1847: Gates are erected at the level crossing at Tile Hill, by then called Allesley Gates. 1850: Allesley Gates Railway Station constructed at Tile Hill. 1854: In a terrible accident, William Dawes, an engine driver, is thrown out of his cab when the engine leaves the rails near Allesley Gates. The rear wheels run over him, severing both legs at the thighs. The stoker, Thomas Box, is also severely injured. Both men die shortly afterwards. The pointsman, James Walker, is later found guilty of manslaughter for keeping the points and switches in a dirty condition. 1863: Allesley Gates Railway Station is renamed Allesley Lane Station. 1864: The Station is renamed Tile Hill Station. 1970: Tile Hill Station signal box is destroyed by fire. 1978: A signalmen’s strike, including at Tile Hill and Canley, brings the railway line between Coventry and Birmingham to a standstill. 1980: A grass fire occurs along the banks at Tile Hill Station. 2004: Construction of road bridge commences.
More detail about the station, along with some very interesting old photographs, can be found at https://warwickshirerailways.com/lms/tilehill.htm
Images:
* Tile Hill Station, early 20th Century (courtesy of David Fry and Albert Smith. Photographer J Alsop ref WarwickshireRailways.com https://warwickshirerailways.com/lms/tilehill.htm ). * Tile Hill road bridge, 2019 (photo: Ian Harrop).
* Road Bridge under construction, 2004 (photos: Ian Harrop)
Sources:
* “Westwood” in City Archives File held at Tile Hill Library * Coventry Standard 4th August 1854
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