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[[Image:Lickloco.jpg|thumb|320px|right|5593 Kolhapur climbing Lickey Incline [[Image:Lickloco.jpg|thumb|320px|right|5593 Kolhapur climbing Lickey Incline
(painting by Terence Cuneo)]] (painting by Terence Cuneo)]]
The '''Birmingham & Gloucester Line''' is located in the ] and is a product of its ]. It is one of the world's oldest mainline railways and includes the famous ], a two mile dead straight stretch of track running up the ] at a gradient of 1/37. The line runs from the old city of ] to the industrial city of ]. It was built to link the factories of Birmingham to ] and its ], as well as to operate passenger services. The '''Birmingham and Gloucester Railway''' is a ] route linking ] to ] in ].
It is one of the world's oldest mainline railways and includes the famous ], a two mile dead straight stretch of track running up the ] at a gradient of 1/37. The line was built to link the factories of Birmingham to ] and its ], as well as to operate passenger services.


== Origins == == Origins ==


The idea for a line had been mooted during the construction of the ] railway. There was alrady a horse drawn coal railway between Bristol and ], however a line running the whole distance to Birmingham was suggested. It must have seemed likely at the time that such a line would be profitable, as the canal journey took almost a week from Birmingham to Bristol, and the road journey, which due to expense and road quality was only really suitible for passengers, took the best part of four days. The idea for a line had been mooted during the construction of the ] railway. There was alrady a horse drawn coal railway between Bristol and ], however a line running the whole distance to Birmingham was suggested. At that time, the canal journey from Birmingham to Bristol took almost a week, and the road journey, which due to expense and road quality was only really suitible for passengers, took the best part of four days.


Several surveys were completed in the ten years after ], however all observers reckognised the challenge that the ] posed to the construction of the railway. Other lines, such as the ] had previously been built up steeper inclines, however the Birmingham & Gloucester was a mechanised commercial railway, and was intended to be worked by steam locomotives. Both ] and ] averred that a general purpose steam locomotive could not work such a gradient. Several surveys were completed in the ten years after ]; however all observers recognised the challenge that the ] posed to the construction of the railway. Other lines, such as the ] had previously been built up steeper inclines, however the Birmingham and Gloucester was a mechanised commercial railway, and was intended to be worked by steam locomotives. Both ] and ] said that a general purpose steam locomotive could not work such a gradient.


Due to the Lickey problem many investors remained skeptical and withheld funds; certain landowners asked excessive prices for land needed to construct the railway. Also, the people of ] protested the proximity of the 'iron beast' to their ancient town. Eventually it was decided that the incline could be worked by a system of 'banking' engines. Deals were struck with recalcitrant landlords and Bromsgrove station was built almost two miles outside of the town in ]. The line was authorised by Act of Parliament in ], just eleven years after the opening of the ] Railway. The line was completed by ]. Due to the Lickey problem, many investors remained sceptical and withheld funds; certain landowners asked excessive prices for land needed to construct the railway. Also, the people of ] protested the proximity of the 'iron beast' to the town. Eventually it was decided that the incline could be worked by a system of ']s'. Deals were struck with recalcitrant landlords and Bromsgrove station was built almost two miles outside the town, in ]. The line was authorised by Act of Parliament in ], just eleven years after the opening of the ] Railway. The line was completed by ].


== Development == == Development ==


The line remains one of the UK's 'mainline' railway routes, despite a series of changes in ownership. The original Birmingham & Gloucester company merged with the Bristol and Gloucester Railway in ] to form the '''Birmingham and Bristol Railway'''. In ] the whole become a part of the ], which then became part of the ] in the rationalisation of ]. The Birmingham & Gloucester, along with the rest of the UK's mainline railways, was nationalised in ] by the Labour government. In ] the line was sold to ] as part of the privatisation of the ] government, and then partially returned to public ownership under ] in ]. The line remains par of one of the ]'s 'mainline' railway routes, despite a series of changes in ownership. The original Birmingham and Gloucester company merged with the Bristol and Gloucester Railway in ] to form the '''Birmingham and Bristol Railway'''. In ] that become a part of the ], which then became part of the ] in the rationalisation of ]. The Birmingham and Gloucester, along with the rest of the UK's mainline railways, was nationalised in ] by the Labour government. In ], the line was sold to ] as part of the privatisation of the ] government, and then partially returned to public ownership under ] in ].


== Reference == == Reference ==

Revision as of 22:19, 13 June 2005

File:Lickloco.jpg
5593 Kolhapur climbing Lickey Incline (painting by Terence Cuneo)

The Birmingham and Gloucester Railway is a railway route linking Birmingham to Gloucester in England.

It is one of the world's oldest mainline railways and includes the famous Lickey Incline, a two mile dead straight stretch of track running up the Lickey Ridge at a gradient of 1/37. The line was built to link the factories of Birmingham to Bristol and its docks, as well as to operate passenger services.

Origins

The idea for a line had been mooted during the construction of the Stockton & Darlington railway. There was alrady a horse drawn coal railway between Bristol and Gloucestershire, however a line running the whole distance to Birmingham was suggested. At that time, the canal journey from Birmingham to Bristol took almost a week, and the road journey, which due to expense and road quality was only really suitible for passengers, took the best part of four days.

Several surveys were completed in the ten years after 1824; however all observers recognised the challenge that the Lickey Ridge posed to the construction of the railway. Other lines, such as the Cromford and High Peak Railway had previously been built up steeper inclines, however the Birmingham and Gloucester was a mechanised commercial railway, and was intended to be worked by steam locomotives. Both Stephenson and Brunel said that a general purpose steam locomotive could not work such a gradient.

Due to the Lickey problem, many investors remained sceptical and withheld funds; certain landowners asked excessive prices for land needed to construct the railway. Also, the people of Bromsgrove protested the proximity of the 'iron beast' to the town. Eventually it was decided that the incline could be worked by a system of 'banking engines'. Deals were struck with recalcitrant landlords and Bromsgrove station was built almost two miles outside the town, in Aston Fields. The line was authorised by Act of Parliament in 1836, just eleven years after the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The line was completed by 1840.

Development

The line remains par of one of the UK's 'mainline' railway routes, despite a series of changes in ownership. The original Birmingham and Gloucester company merged with the Bristol and Gloucester Railway in 1845 to form the Birmingham and Bristol Railway. In 1846 that become a part of the Midland Railway, which then became part of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway in the rationalisation of 1923. The Birmingham and Gloucester, along with the rest of the UK's mainline railways, was nationalised in 1948 by the Labour government. In 1995, the line was sold to Railtrack as part of the privatisation of the Major government, and then partially returned to public ownership under Network Rail in 2003.

Reference

Maggs, C (1986) 'The Birmingham Gloucester Line', Line One Press, Cheltnam, ISBN 0-907036-10-4

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