Quiet day in Birmingham

First I must acknowledge the comments from readers Pip & Mick and Halfie who correctly pointed out the error in our last post.  Netherton Tunnel is below the level of Dudley Tunnel rather than higher.  Of course I knew that because I’d walked up the three Parkhead Locks to the southern entrance.  I’m claiming a seniors moment.

This isn’t the first time we’ve used the New Main Line to reach the centre of Birmingham.  Much of it either has the railway on one side or goes through deep cuttings.    We took the obligatory photo of the M5 motorway cross the canal high above us.

On the other side is the aqueduct that carries the Old Main Line parallel to; and below; the M5.

Boring straights until we reached Summit Tunnel which is made from concrete and obviously rather modern.

The aqueduct that carries the Engine Arm Canal over the New Main Line is rather interesting.  Designed by Thomas Telford and made of cast iron, it’s a combination of arch and through girder with a suspended trough.  The engine arm supplied water from Edgbaston Reservoir to the Old Main Line. 

There is an interesting structure on the north bank opposite the former Cape Junction.  I first noticed it last year.  A large temporary sheet steel roof has been constructed over a some sort of old complex made of brick.  I assume the complex is being renovated.

There is a recycling plant between the canal and the complex.  After looking in Google Earth this complex appears to be on the site of a rail yard.

Just around the bend was another example of Birmingham’s industrial past.

 

This last part of the cruise is very familiar.  We quietly slipped through the moorings around Old Turn Junction and went down to Cambrian Wharf where our luck held and we managed to get the last vacant 14 day mooring.  Opposite is a very well known boat.

Got to cut it here as a well known rugby team is playing tonight.