http://loco-park.blogspot.com/
A train viewing platform perhaps?!
Re-reading the stuff about Grundy I think the fact that his property sold to the railway is the other side of his abode to the path to the Park would put this land possibly on our branch line but definitely to the east of Lichfield Road.
In Douglas V. Jones' short history of Sutton Coldfield (which, by the way, contains the exact same text that you quoted about Grundy - was yours a web source?) the council meeting about the possibility of the line was apparently presided over by 'Dr George Bodington, who beguiled those present with the promise of cheap coal' - http://www.boddington-family.org.uk/bodington/ps01/ps01_107.htm - another interesting man but not sure of his motives for supporting the line - welfare of the poor?
The two options for the rail line were a) via Rowton's Hill or b) via Bracebridge Pool.
The two options for the rail line were a) via Rowton's Hill or b) via Bracebridge Pool.
Your question re the train viewing platform is an interesting one. Here's an American version:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.trains.com/trc/objects/pdf/rochelle_rr_park.pdf
I have always been interested in contemporary ideas of what makes a 'park' or recreation space. From the boy-racers hanging out in local Sainsbury's car parks to Trainspotters hanging out at railway crossings, it's all part and parcel of how we use landscapes for our own purposes (birds of a feather...).
Also, what about a webcam?...
ReplyDeleteIf there is a lot of interest on this line and therefore interested parties/clubs to potentially run the webcam, there would be opportunities to advertise the site in the long term. Coupled with Sutton Park, the local historical links into the site would bring families / day-trippers to the site for all sorts of different reasons (historical, hobbies, etc.).