Tenbury Railway

It became evident that communities directly served by a railway prospered, and those not so connected declined, and business interests in Tenbury realised that their town was at a disadvantage.

William Norris was a local man and his energies were directed at this stage into getting a branch line to Tenbury built.

Notwithstanding some discussion about whether an extension to Bewdley was immediately desirable, the Tenbury Railway Act obtained the Royal Assent on 21 July 1859.

[5] During the construction period, further negotiations with the Shrewsbury and Hereford Railway took place, resulting in the larger company agreeing to work the line for £500 per annum plus 40% of the balance of receipts.

He approved the opening, but required a full double junction to be provided at Woofferton: only the southbound line was connected; and the signals there were inadequate.

[9] The county boundary is in the centre of the river, and whilst Tenbury Wells is in Worcestershire, the railway station was in Shropshire.

Joint status in common ownership proved to be of doubtful value, and in September 1948 that situation was rationalised and the whole line came under the control of the Western Region.

[20] The rural nature of the area served by the line meant that as soon as reliable road transport for goods and passengers became available, use of the railway declined.

One passenger train ran in each direction, chiefly in connection with school pupils' journeys, was to operate for a year from 31 July 1961 on an experimental basis.