THIS summer marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the railway line between Stourbridge and Evesham, which extended the train network to Droitwich, Pershore and Fladbury.

It was 1850 that first saw the railways come right into the Worcester with the opening of Shrub Hill Station, and two years later came the completion of the next rail road route across the county, this time from the north-west to the south-east.

Berrow's Journal of May 6, 1852, carried a long and detailed account of: "The Opening of the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway from Stourbridge to Evesham.

"The weather was magnificent, tending to exhilarate to the utmost the cheerful spirits of every person present at the better railway prospects dawning in Worcestershire.

"The scene at Shrub Hill Station was joyous for the first official excursion from Worcester to Evesham. Everything being ready for the start, about 20 well-filled first , second and third-class carriages glided from the station amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the people who had collected in great numbers. There were also the lively strains of a band of music placed in an open carriage at the front.

"We must not omit to mention either that the station was gaily decorated with large branches of laurel and bunches of flowers. Several handsome silk banners were also pressed into service bearing the inscriptions 'Peace and Plenty' and 'The Throne and the People.'

"Thanks to the Mayor's benevolence, boys and girls from the Worcester Workhouse were arranged in a line and distinguished themselves by cheering lustily and waving small flags.

"The journey to Evesham was most delightful, and from the very easy motion of the train we should pronounce the rail road to be extremely well constructed. Passengers were able to enjoy spectacular views of Worcester, the Malvern Hills and the beautiful fertile countryside on each side of the line.

"For the arrival of the train at Pershore Station, which is built at some distance from the town, a large concourse of people had gathered. When the train eventually moved off, it did so amidst the joyous shouts of the crowd.

"The arrival at Evesham Station was greeted with the deafening cheers of thousands and the discharge of firearms. Never could there have been more genuine enthusiasm displayed on any occasion. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the scene overall was gay and joyous."

Berrow's Journal lists the composition of the celebration parade through Evesham's streets: "Navvies, 10 abreast; Banner bearers; the Band; Deacle's Charity Boys, two abreast; National and other day school pupils, 10 abreast; Police Sergeant Pardoe; Six County Police, two abreast; the Town Crier; the Mayor, Town Clerk and Sergeants of Mace with other civic dignitaries, two abreast; Directors of the railway and their staff, six abreast; county magistrates, six abreast; representatives of the borough, six abreast; etc."

Reader Will Watson kindly sent me copied extracts from Bradshaw's Railway Companion of 1843 which gave details of the times of departure and the fares on the railways of Great Britain.

A map in this directory showed the Birmingham-Gloucester Railway line passing just to the east of Worcester.

Mr Watson points out that through the 1840s, people of the Worcester area had to catch horse-drawn coaches and carriages from the city to the small station at Spetchley, where the trains then stopped.

n Rail enthusiast Steve Widdowson of Wadborough has kindly sent me details of a series of events being staged to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Worcester-Evesham line.

Sunday, May 5 ,will see an admission-free Gala Day at Evesham Station, and a special anniversary dinner, limited to 100 places, is to be held on the evening of Wednesday, May 1 at the Northwick Hotel, Evesham.

Half the places are already taken but enthusiasts wanting invite only tickets at £18 each should contact either Julian Palfrey 01386-561198, Martin Fletcher 01905-841455 or Brian Clayton 01386-701528.

Two photograph exhibitions are also to be staged - one at Pershore Library from Monday, April 8 to Tuesday, April 30, and the other at Evesham Library from Thursday, May 2 to Friday, May 24.

On Sunday April 14, there is to be a showing of the film The Titfield Thunderbolt by the Pershore Film Society at No.8 High Street, Pershore, and on Friday, May 3, a jazz and verse evening with Dutch Lewis will take place at St Agatha's Hall, Pershore.

Steve Widdowson tells me he is compiling a small illustrated book on the history of the Worcester-Evesham line.

He points out that the railway celebrations won't finish this year either, because June 2003 will mark the 150th anniversary of the continuation of the line to Oxford and from there, of course, to London.

John Wesbter, who has appeared in previous Memory Lane features with his superb model railway layouts at his Kempsey home, would dearly like to know from readers the names of coal merchants and local firms which had rail wagons operating on the Worcester-Evesham line during the Age of Steam.

He can be contacted on 01905-820848.