Where is Smethwick Galton Bridge Station?

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station is at Oldbury Road, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 1HU

 

In brief

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station is in Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands. The High Level carries the Snow Hill lines between Birmingham and Worcester via Kidderminster. While the Low Level carries the Stour Valley line between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton. It is named after the famous Galton Bridge, and also crosses over the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Main Line (developed by Thomas Telford). It opened in 1995.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - high level (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - details

The station opened in September 1995 as part of the Jewellery Line to reopen the line between Smethwick and Birmingham Snow Hill Station.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - high level (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was built as an interchange station with the Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton line, and all the platforms opened at the same time.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (March 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A nearby station called Smethwick West was closed by 1996.

The site of Smethwick West Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Facilities at Smethwick Galton Bridge

The station has a ticket office and a ticket machine. Tickets can now also be purchased on the West Midlands Railway app.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is footbridges between each of the platforms, this one between platforms 1 and 2, and the way out.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Outside of the station, on Oldbury Road, is bus stops, for the no 87 bus between Dudley and Birmingham via Oldbury.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The station has step free access, there is lifts to all platforms, for other people there is steps between the different levels.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

High Level - platforms 1 & 2

There is four trains an hour between Birmingham Snow Hill and Kidderminster, and at least two an hour that continue onto Kidderminster to either Worcester Shrub Hill and / or Worcester Foregate Street. Since 2011 London Midland (and from late 2017) West Midlands Railway has been used their Class 172 trains.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - high level (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Low Level - platforms 3 & 4

London Midland (until 2017) and West Midlands Railway (since 2017) used to use Class 323's (they are mostly on the Cross City Line now). These days they use Class 350's (with London Northwestern Railway livery) on the Wolverhampton to Walsall via Birmingham New Street line. Hourly trains to Liverpool also stop here. Plus some trains from Wales, Class 158's going to Birmingham International.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (March 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains - Smethwick Galton Bridge High Level

London Midland 172 333 calls at Smethwick Galton Bridge platform 2. It would be going in the direction of Birmingham Snow Hill, during October 2013.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - high level (October 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

West Midlands Railway 172004 was at the back on platform 1 at Smethwick Galton Bridge, during July 2021.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - high level (July 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains - Smethwick Galton Bridge Low Level

Arriving from Birmingham New Street at platform 3, was London Midland 323241, during June 2012, on a service from Walsall to Wolverhampton.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

London Midland 350 250 calls at platform 4 during November 2017, on a service from Wolverhampton to Walsall via Birmingham New Street.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Non-stopping trains on the Birmingham to Wolverhampton line

Trains you can see from low level but can't catch from here.

Cross Country Voyager 220026 seen passing platform 3 at Smethwick Galton Bridge during September 2016.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (September 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Virgin Trains Pendolino 390 008 - Virgin King seen passing platform 4 at speed during September 2016, between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station - low level (September 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Smethwick Galton Bridge Interchange

This is the Smethwick Galton Bridge Interchange outside the station. It is called Moontrap by Mick Thacker and Mark Renn, 2003, of the Renn and Thacker Partnership.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The design is based on the nearby Galton Bridge, of which the station was named after. There is also a steel crescent moon through the middle of it.

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station (March 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown