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