Report - Birkenhead Town Railway Station & Tunnels

[DJAJXKP]

My second report... - After a well received first report... Here Goes...

A History of Birkenhead Town Station
Birkenhead Town station was opened on 1 January 1889 by the Joint Committee of the Chester and Birkenhead Railway, administered by the London and North Western Railway (LNWR) and the Great Western Railway (GWR). It was built to accommodate the nearby commercial centre of Birkenhead.

The line, which travelled through the station, bore trains from Birkenhead Woodside to London Paddington, meaning that not all trains stopped at Birkenhead Town. Mainly local trains from Woodside to West Kirby, Chester, Warrington and North Wales served the station.

The development of the Queensway tunnel in 1934 resulted in the station becoming cut off from reasonable access to the town's market area and the residential district near Birkenhead Priory. Birkenhead Town station closed on 7 May 1945, although the line continued in use until 1967 when Birkenhead Woodside closed.

As of 2013, the tunnels (now partially infilled) and securly fenced, the site of the station still exists. However, the area is now enclosed between the approach roads to the Queensway road tunnel entrance, which were redesigned and extended in the 1960s.

The Images

01 - The original Building, Exterior
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation2_zpscc3b9e73.jpg


02 - Original Platform Level, Looking North towards the two tunnels
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation1_zpsbe3194ce.jpg


03 - The station during it deconstruction in the late 60's
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation3_zps56f2d99e.jpg


04 - The current remaining exterior from the road, hidden behind modern adverts
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation4_zpsab049465.jpg


05 - All that's left of the internal side of the original station
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation5_zpsfd29a351.jpg


06 - Standing above the Tunnel leading to Woodside Railway Station (Blocked at end) looking into the mouth of the Birkenhead priory Goods Yard Tunnel
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation6_zps081b1802.jpg


07 - Looking Towards Woodside at entrance
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation7_zpsa438323f.jpg


08 - Further in the shape of the tunnel changes, notice how filled in it is.
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation8_zps400aaf74.jpg


09 - Wheelchair, deep inside the tunnel
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation9_zps3ff89bf5.jpg


10 - And a Boot
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation12_zps0bc1879c.jpg


11 - A Drain... Water Source?
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation11_zps0aad376f.jpg


12 - A Huge crack in the floor.
http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s642/J_Man01/townstation10_zps9df93b9d.jpg


The Explore
The first time ever (never not for trying) of me getting into this tunnel, not thinking I could get access I didn't have any sort of light but my Flash gun & mini Mag light however after finding a way in, i wasn't travelling back for the extra kit, so I managed with what I had to hand. (SLR 40D + Flashgun & Canon 1000D, Mini Mag light & Mobile phone light)

Visited with a non Member and I don't know how long these will be accessible for due to the high metal bars and steel panels, so if you can get there... do...!

Thanks for looking and here's hoping you enjoyed my second new member report (hoping for full Membership:happy). :laugh

[myke]

mini mag light saved the day then put one in my car needed a torch last 2 explores which cropped up unexpectedly. liked the drain shot

[DJAJXKP]

mini mag light saved the day then

Certainly did, often does... Don't go anywhere without it, such handy little torch. It should be on every Urbex's kit list. :thumb

[Tankman]

Very nice, and interesting, thanks for sharing. Always carry torches, put them everywhere in your car, along with a 'UE Bag' of stuff, always at the ready.