Winson Green Junction

Winson Green Junction is where the Soho Loop of the BCN Old Mainline joins to the straighter BCN New Mainline canal. The Soho EMU Depot is nearby, and you can see the trains from the bridges.


Where is Winson Green Junction?

Winson Green Junction is where the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline joins to the northern end of the Soho Loop, what was part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Mainline. Next to Soho EMU Depot and the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway line.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction from the Winson Green Bridge (August 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In brief

James Brindley's Old BCN Mainline canal was completed in 1769, with a series of curved sections, but journeys by narrowboat took much longer. Thomas Telford's straighter New BCN Mainline was completed past Soho by 1829, resulting in Winson Green Junction behind created.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction on the BCN New Mainline (August 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winson Green Junction - details

This is near the West Midlands Railway Soho Electric Multiple Unit depot, close to the Birmingham to Wolverampton railway line, and the Soho loop line towards Walsall.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction, Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline (April 2023). Photography by Jonathan Bostock

 

The end of the Soho Loop, was part of the BCN Old Mainline. The Class 323's EMU's are to the left at the Soho EMU Depot, now run by West Midlands Railway. As well as the new Class 730's.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction, Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline (April 2023). Photography by Jonathan Bostock

 

The view from a train passing the Soho EMU Depot, below is the Soho Loop (BCN Old Mainline) going to Winson Green Junction.

Soho Loop Winson GreenWinson Green Junction from the Soho Loop on the train (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Video on Facebook here Soho Loop.

 

There is a small island on the canal, just beyond the footbridge, which narrowboats can go past either side. This is the Winson Green Gauging Island.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction, Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline (May 2023). Photography by Jonathan Bostock

 

Winson Green Railway Bridge

The penultimate bridge on the Soho Loop, near Winson Green Junction carries several railway lines out of Birmingham New Street, the mainline goes towards Wolverhampton, while from Soho East Junction, it leads towards Walsall and Rugeley Trent Valley. The line was opened in 1852.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Railway Bridge from the Soho Loop (August 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winson Green Junction Bridge

This bridge is Grade II listed, and dates to 1828. It is a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge. It is at the end of the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Junction Bridge from the Soho Loop (August 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winson Green Roving Bridge

This footbridge crosses the BCN New Mainline at Winson Green Junction, linking both towpaths. It dates to around 1828, a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge.

Winson Green JunctionWinson Green Roving Bridge from the Soho Loop (August 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

19 May 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Rivers, lakes & canals

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com