The final destination of the line is the former Ironbridge Power Station, currently part of the Benthall Grange re-development project. Crossing the River Severn, this would complete the dream of providing services directly into the Ironbridge Gorge.
THE ROUTETurning right out of Coalbrookdale Station, we meet an unmanned level crossing as we journey closer to the river. We travel over our final road bridge before reaching the iconic Albert Edward Bridge.
The bridge crosses over the River Severn allowing for stunning views down the Ironbridge Gorge. The line then bends to the right as we travel into the former Power Station site. On your left, the retained building from the power station can be seen before reaching our final station. The terminus will be located next to an open community area, and a short walk from the proposed shopping district. |
IRONBRIDGE POWER STATION TODAY |
ALBERT EDWARD BRIDGE |
THE ALBERT EDWARD BRIDGEOpened in 1864 and named after King Edward VII, the Albert Edward Bridge was one of the last large scale cast iron railway bridges to be built.
Designed by Sir John Fowler, its 200-foot span cast iron arch has four ribs, each of nine parts bolted together. The moulds for the radiused beam castings for the bridge were prepared by the Coalbrookdale Iron Company. Due to its age and the condition of the ironwork, traffic over the bridge is restricted to a 5mph speed limit to minimise stress. Its design is almost identical to the Victoria Bridge which carries the Severn Valley Railway over the River Severn further downstream. |
POWER STATION SITEOpening in 1932, Ironbridge Power Station was the main provider of electricity for the local area and the West Midlands. It continued to generate power until 2015, when a programme of decommissioning began and the cooling towers where demolished.
In 2018, the Harworth Group purchased the 350-acre site with the intention of providing 1,000 homes including a retirement village, employment space, local centre and community amenities. As part of the development, the railway is planned to be preserved from the Albert Edward Bridge to the centre of the site. The remainder of the line towards Buildwas Abbey will be converted into road access for the site. |
THE TERMINUS OF THE LINE AT THE POWER STATION |
HARWORTH GROUP RE-DEVELOPMENT PLAN |
THE STATIONThis map of the proposed re-development shows where the railway will run in relation to the rest of the site. The station would be located next to the local centre.
The station would have road access to allow interconnection to the road for coaches to access the town of Ironbridge or onward journeys. This station could also serve as an interchange with the planned tramway to Ironbridge. TSR would not require any other facilities on site (loco sheds/storage/car parks/etc) as it already has these facilities elsewhere, the power station site would be a destination rather than the operational centre. |
IRONBRIDGE NO.3One of the steam locomotives in our collection is Peckett 0-4-0ST No.1990.
This engine was known as Ironbridge No.3 and spent its entire operational life working the railway at Ironbridge Power Station. After the station moved over to diesel traction, No.3 was sold and moved to TSR. No.3 was our main source of steam traction throughout the 90's and early 2000's before being withdrawn due to requiring a new firebox. We hope that as part of the 'Steaming to Ironbridge' project No.3 can return to its home and steam once again at the former power station. We have also preserved other rolling stock that was used at the power station to provide authentic freight trains around the site. |
IRONBRIDGE NO.3 AT SPRING VILLAGE |
