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Written by Justin Buckley - 07 Dec 2007
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Location notes
Gravelly Hill is a suburb of Birmingham, located to the North of the City Centre in the shadow of the M6 Junction 6, more commonly known as 'Spaghetti Junction'.
The station is on the Northern part of the 'Cross City' line, which runs between Redditch, Birmingham and Lichfield.
Railway type and traffic
The Cross City line is served by London Midland class 323 EMUs, which generally run about every 10 minutes Monday to Friday, and almost all services stop at Gravelly Hill.
Few other trains pass this way, although class 220/221 Voyager DEMUs pass regularly on ECS moves to and from Central Rivers depot at Barton Under Needwood to the North.
Occasionally, if the route via Tamworth is closed due to engineering work, diversions will pass here.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Gravelly Hill Station
This link should be close to the location, but may not be the actual location so please check the page. This link will take you to what is happening 'around now'. Dates and times can be changed at the top of the page.
Environment
Gravelly Hill is in a residential area, so is fairly quiet outside the peak periods.
The station is in a grassy cutting, which gives some illusion of being away from the city.
After dark it is no worse than anywhere else in North Birmingham, but it is best to exercise caution as you would anywhere else.
The station is normally staffed from around 06:00 to 23:30 ish.
Road directions
From Birmingham City centre, take the Aston expressway, then follow the A5127 towards Erdington / Sutton Coldfield for around 1/2 mile. Bear left at the 'Y' junction, then take the second left into Hunton Hil - the station is immediately ahead.

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Gravelly Hill Station map co-ordinates
Parking
Parking can be difficult here during the day as many commuters park in the surrounding streets. There will usually be space in nearby streets.
Public transport
Services from Birmingham to Four Oaks and Lichfield run around every 10 minutes Monday to Friday, and all stop at Gravelly Hill. An off peak return from Birmingham as currently (October 2007) £1.60
Regular buses also pass close by, most buses from Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield pass this way - the fare is currently £1.40 each way maximum.

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Amenities
There are no public toilets in the immediate vicinity - please do not ask the station staff if you can use theirs - company policy prohibits it.
There is an off license about 300 yards down the road (up the ramp from Platform 2, turn left and down the hill) which also sells crisps and snacks etc, apart from that there are plenty of shops and eateries in nearby Erdington, which is either a 15 minute walk (Up the ramp from plat 1, turn right, down to the main road, turn left and keep going) or a train ride to Erdington station and a 5 or 10 minute walk.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Gravelly Hill Station

Googly map
Streetmap links
Gravelly Hill Station general view map
Gravelly Hill Station close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Gravelly Hill Station



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Photographic notes
Light is best for Northbound trains until mid morning, however due to the cutting the sun does not get high enough to clear all the shadows except during the summer.
For Southbound trains the light is best from 13:00/14:00 onwards.
For video the station is fairly quiet, although the station is equipped with an Auto PA system, which some may find intrusive, especially with such a frequent service.


General views - All photographs © Justin Buckley unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking south


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