What is to become of Bescot Down Yard?

Following the final freight departing Bescot Down Yard on 17 June, there has been much speculation regarding what is to become of the land. Suggestions have ranged from a class 730 depot to the track bing ripped up and the land redeveloped as a housing estate. Chime Whistle Publishing spoke to West Midlands Railway on 5 July to separate fact from speculation. However, before we look at that, let’s look at why it closed.

The basic fact is that traffic had dwindled over the last couple of years – including retiming the Cliffe Vale clay train, so it no longer had to recess at Bescot. However, according to DB Cargo managers, the condition of the yard infrastructure made it unsafe to operate trans. An internal memo states:

“DB Caro has announces that Bescot Down Yard will close at 05.30 on Monday 17th June as a result of the rail infrastructure no longer being deemed safe for continued operation.” It goes on to state “Bescot Down Yard is closed to all traffic. This includes the TMD, down sorting, through, reception, storage and local sidings.”

Regarding future use by West Midlands Railway, it would only say “No decisions have been taken either way on Bescot.” and that while “upgrades are happening at Bletchley, that depot will largely cater for the five-carriage 730/2s. Soho will also have some upgrade work done to help with the switch from looking after 323s to 730/0s but that does not rule out using other sites for additional stabling/maintenance.”

Drawing on internal 'secret' reports and candid staff interviews, the 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Train' series of books are a funny, fearless and sometimes shocking narrative of rail travel in the UK. They also cover the history (in a lively way!) of the stations and lines featured, along with approximately 200 colour photographs in every book. The first two best selling books in the trilogy are  https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/a-funny-thing-happened-on-the-train-to-london and  https://www.chimewhistle.co.uk/shop/p/afunnythinghappenedonthetraintothemidlands Both now down to very limited stock.