Olton Station - A Solihull & West Midlands Gem!

Olton Station is on the Chiltern Mainline between Birmingham and Solihull. It opened in 1869. There is now two platforms for stopping services. Saxon horse sculpture outside the station.


Where is Olton Station?

Olton Station is on Station Drive off Warwick Road, Solihull, B92 7AR. On the Chiltern Mainline between Acocks Green and Solihull.

 

In brief

Olton Station was opened by the Great Western Railway in 1869 on their Oxford & Birmingham branch, it's primary role was a suburban passenger station for Birmingham commuters. It used to have two signal boxes. Station Drive was built around 1932, and it now has two platforms. Part of the Chiltern Mainline, stopping services from West Midlands Railway on the line between Worcester, Birmingham and Dorridge. The no 37 bus used to go on Station Drive (now the 4), but the no 4 bus these days usually passes Warwick Road without stopping at the station.

Olton StationOlton Station (March 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Olton Station - history / details

Olton is on the Chiltern Mainline between Dorridge and Birmingham Snow Hill, with local services operated by West Midlands Railway (London Midland until 2017, and before them Central Trains from 1997 to 2007).

Olton StationOlton Station (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Great Western Railway opened the original station in 1869 on their branch from Oxford to Birmingham, mainly for Birmingham bound commuters.

Olton StationOlton Station (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The current station is an island platform with two platforms, with the station building in the middle.

Olton StationOlton Station (November 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is only a canopy on the platform for trains towards Birmingham and Worcester, the canopy for trains towards Solihull, Dorridge and Leamington Spa has been removed.

Olton StationOlton Station (November 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains at Olton

Stopping services

London Midland 172 216 at Olton for a service towards Birmingham Snow Hill and Kidderminster, during November 2016.

Olton StationOlton Station (November 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

West Midlands Railway 170631 stops at Olton in the snow during March 2018. This train is now with East Midlands Railway.

Olton StationOlton Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Passing Services

Chiltern Railways usually doesn't stop between Birmingham Moor Street and Solihull.

Chiltern Railways 168112 passing Olton on a service towards Birmingham (Moor Street or Snow Hill) during November 2016.

Olton StationOlton Station (November 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The snow of March 2018, caused some Chiltern Railways services to pass Olton slowly. Here's Chiltern Railways 168 323 heading for London Marylebone.

Olton StationOlton Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

16 Mar 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Transport, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com