Berkswell Railway Station

 Berkswell Railway Station is a 2 platform stop on the West Coast Mainline serving the villages of Berkswell and Balsall Common near Coventry, West Midlands.

The London and Birmingham Railway was completed in 1839 passing near to the village of Berkswell but not having a stop until the first one was opened as Dockers Lane in 1844. The name was changed to Berkswell in January 1853, again in February 1928 to Berkswell and Balsall Common, the station being sighted closer to Balsall Common than Berkswell. The name was again changed back to Berkswell around 1959 when works started along the line to electrify, these being completed in 1974. The station was also remodelled during this period.

The station used to be a junction with a line that ran in the direction of Kenilworth just to the south of the station with the siding track that the trains used to run still visible. This line was in operation from 2 March 1884 until 3 March 1969 and is now in the process of being converted into a greenway. The siding still visible sometimes houses the Royal Train and members of the "Firm" have been known to overnight on the train whilst parked in the siding. Sir Winston Churchill is also said to have stopped in the siding overnight.

The station used to feature a level crossing to the south of the platforms, this was removed in 2004 and replaced by a bridge so the station and line could feature more high speed trains. The station is manned during selected hours has minimal facilities, including waiting room and ticket machines, but no toilets. There is a car park and the station is served by 2 trains per hour in each direction. Theses services go north to Birmingham New Street and south to London Euston. The station saw 334,000 passengers use it during 2019/20 period, the last before the Covid pandemic, before dropping to just 52916 during the first year of the virus.

The siding that occasionally houses the Royal Train can be seen to the
right of the mainline. This used to be the junction of the
Kenilworth Line.

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Tile Hill Railway Station

 Tile Hill Railway Station is unusual for in that it only features 1 pictures which was snapped quickly when arriving at the station to catch my train to Berkeswell, my train was just arriving. I am unlikely to return living some 100 miles away so will probably never add to it.

Tile Hill serves the suburbs of Coventry, in the West Midlands and is on the main line railway between London Euston and Birmingham New Street Stations. The station opened as Allesley Lane in 1850, before changing names to Allesley Gate in 1857 and finally assuming the name Tile Hill on April 1 1864. Built with staggered platforms either side of the Cromwell Lane level crossing the station remained unchanged until the 1960's when the electrification of the main line resulted in the station being completely rebuilt in its current form. The level crossing was replaced by a bridge in 2004 and the platform connecting bridge was constructed at the same time. 

The station has a ticket office which is open at various times 7 days a week, there are 2 trains per hour in the directions of Birmingham and London. The station has always been a busy station averaging approx 700,000 passengers per year until a combination of developments of the car parking and the current Covid 19 virus situation saw number drop to just 107,000 during the most recent period 2020-21, an average reduction of approx 11,000 passengers per week.

The picture was taken using a Nikon d3300 SLR on January 18 2017.

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Vintage Postcard - Leamington Spa Weir and Suspension Bridge

Part of my collection of postcards is this one sent to 23 Bramble Street, Coventry on the 6th September 1901 or 1907, it looks like a 1 to me from the print but looking into the bridges history it wasn't built until 1903. Sadly I can't quite make out the surname of the couple who's first names are Annie & Arthur and appears to be from their cousin Emily. The postcard contains the following text as best I can make out.

"Dearest Annie & Arthur,

I thought perhaps you would like a postcard of Leamington,

my dear sister & I were both there yesterday, it is a beautiful place but I (can't make the word out but thinks it's discovered) you have both been. I shall come over to Coventry sometime & see you because you were both so kind the last time, we are having some beautiful weather now, so we shall both be very pleased to have you both over at Melton when it is most convenient for you to come, so with love & best wishes to you both I will say,

goodbye from your loving cousin Emily"

A copy of the post card without the text can be seen by clicking here.

The suspension bridge still stands today and to give it's proper name is known as the Mill Suspension Bridge, opening to the public in 1903. The bridge is Grade II listed as is the weir below and takes it's name from the site of the towns water mill which stood adjacent to the bridges site and was the towns primary source of water, the mill was demolished in 1899. The bridges design is thought to be based on the Albert Bridge which crossers the River Thames in London.

Until Britain adopted decimal coinage in 1971 the bridge was popular with people throwing pennies and half pennies from the bridge into the weir below, it was once considered good luck and a way of honouring the Gods, I can only assume it was still considered good luck after the bridges opening.

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A Glimpse Through Time: Leicester's Hospital, Warwick.

Holding this postcard, the familiar weight of aged cardstock in my hand, I'm transported not just to the charming medieval town of Warwick, but to a place steeped in history and quiet dedication: the Lord Leycester Hospital. It's more than just a picturesque building captured in sepia tones (or perhaps vibrant hues, depending on its vintage); it's a tangible link to centuries of care and service.

The subject of this particular piece of my ever-growing postcard collection is, as the name suggests, the Lord Leycester Hospital. But "hospital" in this context isn't the bustling medical facility we might imagine today. Instead, this remarkable institution stands as a beacon of enduring charity, a haven established in the late 16th century by Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Its purpose then, as it remains today, is to provide support and accommodation for ex-servicemen and their wives or widows.

Think about that for a moment. While grand castles and bustling market squares often dominate historical narratives, here we have a place specifically designed to care for those who have served their country. Each stone of the Lord Leycester Hospital whispers tales of loyalty, sacrifice, and the enduring need to support those who have borne the burdens of conflict.

Looking closely at the image on the postcard – perhaps it captures the iconic timber-framed architecture, the serene Master's Garden, or the imposing gateway – I can almost feel the echoes of past residents. Imagine the conversations held within those ancient walls, the camaraderie forged through shared experiences, the quiet dignity of lives dedicated to service.

This postcard, therefore, transcends its simple function as a piece of correspondence. It's a miniature window into a world where compassion and community have stood the test of time. It's a reminder that history isn't just about battles and monarchs; it's also about the enduring efforts to care for one another.

As a small part of my larger collection, this postcard of the Lord Leycester Hospital holds a special significance. It represents not just a beautiful building, but a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of human kindness and the importance of remembering and supporting those who have served. It's a story etched in ink and paper, a story I'm proud to hold within my hands.

What stories do your own collections hold? Have you ever encountered a seemingly simple object that unlocked a deeper understanding of history or human connection?

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