Chillington Wharf, Wolverhampton.

Once a busy interchange.

We have cruised past this on our boat several times – and been past on the train. More recently, I pass this on one of my regular dog walks. A sad shadow of its former self, the canal basin in the centre (still connected to the canal behind the camera) was in later years flanked by railway sidings to enable the transfer of goods between canal and railway. Chillington Wharf still survives, although the fact that it is Grade II listed is not apparent by the appalling state of the buildings.Built in 1830 to service one of the many ironworks in the area, it came under the ownership of the London & North Western Railway when the land was sold off following the ironworks going into receivership in 1885. Towards the end of the century major works had transformed the scene with two basins (one subsequently converted by the London Midland & Scottish Railway to a rail head when the crane to the left was added). Much of the rails still exist at Chillington Wharf, although now unused. It is currently owned by Network Rail and leased to DB Schenker. It is probably one of the best surviving examples of a canal / rail interchange left in the country, so its current poor state of repair is so very disappointing.

For a fuller history, see the BCN Society website.

Photograph Details:

• Taken: 22 Apr 2020
• Camera: Canon 5D MkIII
• Lens: Canon EF 24-70mm 1:2.8 L II USM
• Focal Length 24mm
• F/3.5
• 1/50 sec
• ISO 100