Marking 100 years since the first-ever train

A framed photo of a train at a station came into the possession of the History Society when one of our members sadly passed away. At first it was thought to be of Codsall Station, but expert eyes recognised that it was of the station at Tettenhall. Further research revealed that it featured the very first train to arrive at Tettenhall, on 11th May, 1925. Coincidentally, the discovery was made a short time before the centenary in May 2025.

David Burton-Pye, a member of the History Committee, was able to discover the names of the station staff and he produced an excellent poster to commemorate this historic event.

Judy Davies, our Chairman, was very happy to present the poster to the owners of Cupcake Lane Café, who have transformed the original station buildings into a very popular coffee shop.

Pictured on the photo of Tettenhall Railway Station as it welcomed its first-ever train on May 11th, 1925, are -
Driver: John Watson
Guard: Mr Clarke
Dignitaries -
Mr Edwards, Travelling Inspector
Mr Styles, Locomotive Foreman
Mr Watkins, Locomotive Inspector
Mr Wilkes, Traffic Inspector

In the centre is Mr Jones, Station Master at Wolverhampton Low Level Station.

History Society chairman Judy Davies presents the centenary poster of Tettenhall Railway Station to staff member Maisie at Cupcake Lane Café.

A short-lived but fondly remembered railway station . . .

It might have come as a surprise (and disappointment) to the staff and dignitaries pictured on the photograph, but Tettenhall station, on the Wombourne Branch Line, was never to enjoy a long life serving the people of Tettenhall, Wolverhampton. It was opened by Great Western Railway in 1925 but closed just seven years later. From its Wikipedia write-up, we learn that a significant number of amenities were supplied to the station but there simply weren’t enough passengers using the service to justify its future.

Thirty-three years after the closure, the track was removed but the buildings themselves remained intact. Since 2014, the old station has enjoyed a new lease of life as a café. The former goods depot behind the station now serves as a small transport museum.