Where is Dorridge Station?

Dorridge Station at Station Approach, Dorridge, Solihull, West Midlands, B93 8JA

 

In brief

This station serves the village of Dorridge in Solihull. Originally opened in 1852 by the Great Western Railway as Knowle and Dorridge, as it also serves the nearby village of Knowle. It was renamed to just Dorridge in 1974. These days there is three platforms, one the terminus from West Midlands Railway, the other two used by Chiltern Railways on their mainline between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Dorridge Station - history

The Great Western Railway opened a station between the villages of Knowle and Dorridge in 1852, with that name, on their line from Birmingham to Oxford.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

GWR trains from London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside passed through the station in Victorian times, but did not stop here.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The station was initally called Knowle Station from 1852, then the Great Western Railway renamed it to Knowle and Dorridge in 1899. In 1933 the station was renamed to Knowle Station again, but was renamed to Dorridge Station in 1974.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There was a signal box at the station built in 1875, and also at one point a goods yard (all now gone).

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The line was quadrupled on the line from Lapworth to Olton in the 1930s.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Today the station has three platforms in use, with one platform used for terminating trains from Birmingham and Worcester.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Chiltern Railways manages Dorridge Station, some of their trains stop here, the rest pass the station, between Birmingham Snow Hill / Moor Street, Leamington Spa and London Marylebone.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

London Midland used to have trains terminating at Dorridge, until their franchise ended in late 2017. This continues under their successor West Midlands Railway.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

West Midlands Railway took over from London Midland at the end of 2017, they have some services now that continue onto Stratford-upon-Avon, via Bearley in Warwickshire.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Between platforms 2 and 3 is waiting room, useful to keep you dry from rainy weather.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Inside the waiting room is a couple of benches, posters and a bin.

Dorridge Station (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

At platform 1 in the main station building is the ticket office, a ticket machine, and a cafe, as well as a waiting room.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains

Terminating at platform 3 was this London Midland service to Dorridge, 172 218, during January 2017. It would form a service towards Birmingham Snow Hill and onto Worcester.

Dorridge Station (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Chiltern Railways 168005 calling at Dorridge during March 2019. On a service towards Birmingham. Sometimes it's quicker to get Chiltern to Solihull, than wait for West Midlands Railway to intermediate stations, such as Olton or Acocks Green.

Dorridge Station (March 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown