This Site
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An honest description is: It's a platform!
Okay, so is that decscription a bit well barren?
Well that's pretty much the station in a nutshell.
Okay let's talk a little more about it. The station is situated just 63 chains south of Birmingham Moor Street and 79 chins north of Small Heath. The platforms can accomadate a six car class 172 DMU. The station was opened 1855 by the old Great Western Railway (GWR). The station consisted of an island platform, like it istoday, but was increased to four platforms in 1915.
According to Wikipedia there are still two original painted signs:
The station still carries the painted lettering "BR(W) Bordesley Cattle Station", and "Bordesley Cattle Station GWR" from the time when, as part of the Great Western Railway and later British Rail's (Western) region, it was used to bring cattle from the countryside to the Bull Ring markets.But on my visit I could not find them. Anyone know where they are and if they can be photographed easily?
Today the station is devoid of any cover and contains just two structures; one tiny waiting room which probably only holds 10 people in total. THe other is the covered area that leads out of the station down a flight of stairs. It is definitely not accessable for wheelchair users. The train I arrived on took quite some time for all the football supporters to alight. Also it didn't help that the Birmingham Christmas Market was in full flow. Once the platform mostly cleared I snapped a couple of photos with my phone of the platforms before heding down the stair (yep, another couple of photos on the stairs). Outside the station opens out on to a main road which given the time of day and that Birmingham City FC were at home seemed busy.
The station entrance is almost non existant in its current form it is just a very small metal gated hole in the wall. A small timetable showing the reguar once a week train. A board showing onwards travel.
Along the row of bricked up arches is one that has gte on it and above is an etched stone with the word Gentlemen on it. Was this a toilet or the entrance to the Gentlemen's waiting room (a old Victorian thing)? Strangely there is not one for 'Ladies'. If there was one then it's either removed or covered over.
Apart from the single service a week, on days when Birmingham City are at home there is a reasonable service before and after the game. But what of the future?
There is talk of the Bordesley Chords which would require the station being demolished or possibly resited. Closure of the station would not be an easy process but they could Mothball the station. Although resiting it would be an option where would it go and how would it fit the local community and the football supporters?
Bordesley Railway Station.
The Timetable.
The nondescript station enterence
The entry to the Gentlemen's toilets or Waiting rooms?
A Close up of The signage
Looking Up Stairs
The bare platforms
The tiny shelter