Where is Smethwick Rolfe Street Station?

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station is at Rolfe Street, Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 2AF

 

In brief

The station was opened in July 1852 on the Stour Valley Line between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton, it was rebuilt in it's present form in 1890. A 1985 mural by school pupils was replaced by one in June 2017 created by college students under artist Steve Field. Lifts and step free access was installed in 2022.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station - history and details

The Birmingham, Wolverhampton & Stour Valley Railway Company opened a station in Smethwick on Rolfe Street in July 1852.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It later became part of the London and North Western Railway, as part of the Stour Valley Line from Birmingham New Street to Wolverhampton, the station was rebuilt in it's present form by 1890.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains to Birmingham New Street from platform 1, and trains to Wolverhampton can be caught from platform 2.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The station used to have steps from the ticket office building and from Rolfe Street, but this was replaced by step-free access in 2022, along with a pair of lifts.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Services used to include a mix of Class 323's (now exclusively for the Cross City Line), Class 350's and occasionally Class 170's (now withdrawn to other operators).

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is a ticket office here, but no ticket machine, tickets can also be purchased on the West Midlands Railway app.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Only local trains from West Midlands Railway (using London Northwestern Railway trains) stop here. Until 2017, it was London Midland, other train companies pass Smethwick Rolfe Street but do not stop here.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

New lifts and steps were built at the station in 2022 at both platforms 1 and 2. The previous steps to Rolfe Street and the ticket office building are still at the station.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Trains

Stopping services

London Midland 323209 stops at Smethwick Rolfe Street for a service to Walsall via Birmingham New Street during June 2012.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

London Midland 323217 stops at Smethwick Rolfe Street for a service to Wolverhampton during November 2017.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Non stopping services

London Midland 350254 passes Smethwick Rolfe Street during June 2012, without stopping, at least not until Smethwick Galton Bridge.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 Arriva Trains Wales 158823 passing Smethwick Rolfe Street during June 2012 without stopping.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino passes Smethwick Rolfe Street at speed in the direction of Wolverhampton during November 2017.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A Cross Country Class 220 Voyager passes Smethwick Rolfe Street at speed during November 2017, in the direction of Birmingham New Street.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Going Forward mural

This mural was painted at Smethwick Rolfe Street back in 2017. Going Forward was the Smethwick Rolfe Street Community Artwork by Sandwell College Level 3 Art & Design students with Steve Field Public Artist It was supported by Network Rail, Transport for West Midlands and London Midland. It's at platform 1.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

As of 2023, the Going Forward mural is still at the station, but there is now a no entry gate with a signal next to it.

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown