Curzon Street Station
Before HS2, Birmingham’s 19th century station at Curzon Street was one of the earliest railway stations, as well as the world’s oldest railway roundhouse. The limited later development of the site means that any surviving remains of the early station represents a unique opportunity to investigate a major early railway terminus in its entirety.
HS2 will see the site become home to the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th century. Birmingham Curzon Street station will be at the heart of the country’s new high-speed railway network, providing seven platforms, a new public space, and be integrated with an extended tram network.
Uncovering the site
We have unearthed what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at the construction site of the Birmingham Curzon Street station.
It was situated adjacent to the old Curzon Street station, which was the first railway terminus serving the centre of Birmingham and built during a period of great significance and growth for the city. The building represents the world’s oldest surviving piece of monumental railway architecture. The 180km (112 mile) long Birmingham to London railway, opened in 1854, and took 20,000 men nearly five years to build.
Built to a design by the 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson, the roundhouse was operational on 12 November 1837 – meaning the recently discovered building is likely to predate the current titleholder of ‘world’s oldest’ in Derby by almost two years. The roundhouse, and specifically the turntable, was used to turn around the engines so locomotives could return back down the line. Engines were also stored and serviced in these facilities. The railway’s 1847 roundhouse at the southern end of the line is now better known as the world-renowned Roundhouse music venue in London’s Camden.
Initially providing passenger services, Curzon Street originally consisted of two station termini, servicing the London and Birmingham Railway (L&BR) and the Grand Junction Railway (GJR); before being converted to a single goods station (following the opening of Birmingham New Street Station in 1854), and which operated until the 1960s.
Beginning at Curzon Street Station, Birmingham, and finishing at Euston Station in London, the 180km (112 mile) long L&BR took 20,000 men nearly five years to build. It has been estimated that to build the railway, construction workers shifted more material than the ancient Egyptians did when they constructed the pyramids.
Slide 1 of 8: An aerial view of the Curzon Street Station roundhouse (1).
Slide 2 of 8: Diggers supporting the excavation of the roundhouse.
Slide 3 of 8: This event enabled the community to meet archaeologists to learn about the Park Street burial ground.
Slide 4 of 8: An aerial view of the Curzon Street Station roundhouse (2).
Slide 5 of 8: Excavations at Curzon Street Station (1).
Slide 6 of 8: View of the Curzon Street Station roundhouse.
Slide 7 of 8: Excavations at Curzon Street Station (2).
Slide 8 of 8: Artefacts found at the Park Street burial ground.
