Railways of the Black Country

Join acclaimed local historian Ned Williams for an engaging and richly illustrated journey through the railway heritage of the Black Country, drawn from his extensive research and celebrated publications on the region’s transport history.

Ned brings to life the rise, development, and lasting legacy of railways that once criss-crossed the West Midlands — from bustling main lines to lesser-known branch routes, industrial sidings, and the lines that served factories, coal pits, and communities across the Black Country.

Highlights of the talk include:

• The story behind key mainline and byway routes that shaped the region’s transport network. 

• How railways supported industry and everyday life in towns such as Dudley, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. 

• The people who worked on and around the railway: drivers, signalmen, engineers, and freight crews. 

• Rare photographs, maps, and anecdotes that reveal both familiar and forgotten facets of Black Country railway history.

This talk is ideal for railway enthusiasts, local historians, and anyone interested in how transport helped forge the Black Country’s character.

About the Venue

Our monthly events are based at Penn Bowling Club, 10 Manor Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5PY. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, has good parking, toilet facilities and a bar. For users of public transport, the 15/16 bus routes along the Penn Road can be followed by a short walk up Manor Road to the venue.