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The Handsworth Linking Line runs for 2.25 miles through north-west Birmingham. It links Soho Junction on the West Coast Mainline to Perry Barr Junction on the Birmingham-Walsall Line.
The line was surveyed by George Stephenson and Joseph Locke as part of the Grand Junction Railway in 1833-37. It was a mainline, as opposed to a linking line, before the modern rail network, which is centred on New Street Station, was completed in the 1850's.
Purpose of the Handsworth Linking Line (Top Menu)
The Handsworth Linking Line enables trains travelling between Walsall and Birmingham to avoid the eastern entrance to New Street Station.
Trains which arrive at (and depart from) the eastern entrance to New Street Station will have to switch between the West Coast Mainline and the Cross City Line at Curzon Street Junction and between the Cross City Line and the Birmingham-Walsall Line at Aston Junction North.
However, trains travelling between Birmingham and Walsall can avoid these junctions by arriving at (and departing from) the western entrance to New Street Station and then using the Handsworth Linking Line to switch between the West Coast Mainline and the Birmingham-Walsall Line.
The Handsworth Linking Line also enables trains travelling between Coventry and Wolverhampton to avoid central Birmingham by switching between:
(1) The West Coast Mainline and the Handsworth Linking Line at Soho Junction.
(2) The Handsworth Linking Line and the Birmingham-Walsall Line at Perry Barr Junction
(3) The Birmingham-Walsall Line and the Cross City Line at Aston Junction North
(4) The Cross City Line and the Stechford Avoiding Line Avoiding at Aston Junction South
(5) The Stechford Avoiding Line and the West Coast Mainline at Stechford Junction.
Map of Handsworth Linking Line & Avoidance Routes (Top Menu)
The Handsworth Linking Line is shown in red.
Trains travelling between Birmingham and Walsall that wish to avoid Aston Junction, Curzon Street Junction and the eastern entrance to New Street Station will follow the route shown in black.
Trains travelling between Wolverhampton and Coventry that wish to avoid New Street Station will follow the route shown in brown.
Trains heading from Soho Junction to Perry Barr on the Handsworth Linking Line will pass the following landmarks:
The Handsworth Linking Line
joins the West Coast Mainline at Soho Junction in Winson Green.Trains heading for Coventry or Walsall may switch from the West Coast Mainline to the Handsworth Linking line at Soho Junction.
Links: Winson Green
Handsworth New Road (Top Menu)
Heading north-eastwards from Soho Junction, the Handsworth Linking Line travels on an embankment above Perrott Street and Handsworth New Road.
Links:
HandsworthThe line then crosses a viaduct above the Leamington-Worcester Line and the Midland Metro and then bridges Bacchus Road and Park Road.
Links: Handsworth
From Park Road, the Handsworth Linking Line curves north-eastwards travelling through a cutting beneath the Soho Road Viaduct and past the former site of Soho Road Station which closed in 1941.
Links: Handsworth
Sponsored Links (Top Menu)
From Soho Road, the Handsworth Linking Line runs northwards beneath Holly Road and through Handsworth Park, passing this boating lake on its eastern side.
Links: Handsworth
Hamstead Road Tunnel (Top Menu)
Heading northwards from Handsworth Park, the line passes the former site of Handsworth Wood Railway Station next to this 50-metre tunnel beneath the Hamstead Road.
Handsworth Wood Station was built in 1896 and closed in 1941. A footbridge next to the former site of the station connects the eastern and western sides of Handsworth Park.
Links: Handsworth Wood
Wellington Road Bridge (Top Menu)
From the Hamstead Road Tunnel, the line continues in a north-easterly direction beneath this bridge on Wellington Road.
Links: Handsworth Wood
Heading northwards from Wellington Road, the Handsworth Linking Line passes beneath Wood Lane before arriving at Perry Barr Junction.
Links: Handsworth Wood
Perry Barr Junction (Top Menu)
Perry Barr Junction connects the Handsworth Linking Line to the Birmingham-Walsall Line.
Trains heading for Walsall can continue westwards on the Birmingham-Walsall Line whereas trains heading for Coventry can continue eastwards on the Birmingham-Walsall Line and then switch to the Stechford Avoiding Line at Aston Junction South.
Links: Perry Barr
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