BCN Toll Islands

[john6767]

I was given a book for my birthday, Canal Mania by Anthony Burton, it’s self it is actuall an old publication from 1993.  The most interesting thing is that it contains a photograph of a BCN toll island, I believe the one at Wilson Green. The toll island is in pristine condition complete with the building, railings etc.  I don’t believe I have seen a picture like that before.  Are there other pictures around of the toll islands in their original working condition?

[pearley]

I've hot several books showing pictures. Some with the toll house just in the background. Without going through every one, I have about 12, try these two. 

Ray Shills "Birmingham Canals" 

Robert Davies "Birmingham Canals Through Time" I think 

As you cruise under the bridge to Coronation Gardens at Tipton in the garde  on the left is a perfect hexagonal base of a toll house. 

[RLWP]

40 minutes ago, john6767 said:

I was given a book for my birthday, Canal Mania by Anthony Burton, it’s self it is actuall an old publication from 1993.  The most interesting thing is that it contains a photograph of a BCN toll island, I believe the one at Wilson Green. The toll island is in pristine condition complete with the building, railings etc.  I don’t believe I have seen a picture like that before.  Are there other pictures around of the toll islands in their original working condition?

I have some in a book somewhere, I'll have a dig

Richard

[David Mack]

The toll houses had all gone when I started walking the BCN in about 1973. So when were they demolished?

[NickF]

Found this on the internet

Edited January 28, 2018 by NickF

[pearley]

20 minutes ago, NickF said:

Found this on the internet

Looks like Bromford. 

[Rob-M]

11 minutes ago, pearley said:

Looks like Bromford. 

Without the mass of overhanging vegetation that is there now. 

[john6767]

23 minutes ago, pearley said:

Looks like Bromford. 

Certainly Bromford, the only other one with that shape island I think is at Dudley Port.

looks to be after it had stopped being used.

Edited January 28, 2018 by john6767

[NickF]

another one of bromford from the net .... the mooring bollard is visible in both new and old photos

[RLWP]

The arm and bridge on the right have gone

[NickF]

15 minutes ago, RLWP said:

The arm and bridge on the right have gone

You can see where they were.

[john6767]

I would like to scan and post the photo from the book, but am a bit wary of copyright.

the context is shown in this image from Wikipedia, the photo in the book is taken from the middle of the turnover bridge looking down on the island, the toll house is there, there are railings round the inside of the U shape, and a man is leaning on the railings.  There is also some from of gantry across the canal to the toll house at roof level, would that possibly be water/electricity or what?

[pearley]

2 hours ago, Rob-M said:

Without the mass of overhanging vegetation that is there now. 

No vegetation now, courtesy of BCNS. 

[pearley]

1 hour ago, RLWP said:

The arm and bridge on the right have gone

Blue Book identifies it as the Parker Branch. OS map shows Broadwell Forge on one side and Oldbury Railway Wagon and Carriage Works on the other. 

[pearley]

18 minutes ago, john6767 said:

I would like to scan and post the photo from the book, but am a bit wary of copyright.

the context is shown in this image from Wikipedia, the photo in the book is taken from the middle of the turnover bridge looking down on the island, the toll house is there, there are railings round the inside of the U shape, and a man is leaning on the railings.  There is also some from of gantry across the canal to the toll house at roof level, would that possibly be water/electricity or what?

Looking at the Wikipedia page the other picture is not captioned correctly, showing a hexagonal toll house at Smethwick Top lock without explaining it is a replica, or that the original toll house here was square. 

[pearley]

There are 3 photos of Winson Green in this book. Maybe Heartland will post them up for you. Whilst the cover shows the replica before the arsonists got to it. 

Edited January 28, 2018 by pearley

[john6767]

46 minutes ago, pearley said:

There are 3 photos of Winson Green in this book. Maybe Heartland will post them up for you. Whilst the cover shows the replica. 

I think I have that book somewhere, I will try and find it

[Tim Lewis]

4 hours ago, john6767 said:

I would like to scan and post the photo from the book, but am a bit wary of copyright.

the context is shown in this image from Wikipedia, the photo in the book is taken from the middle of the turnover bridge looking down on the island, the toll house is there, there are railings round the inside of the U shape, and a man is leaning on the railings.  There is also some from of gantry across the canal to the toll house at roof level, would that possibly be water/electricity or what?

2011

 

[Tim Lewis]

2016

 

Edited January 28, 2018 by Tim Lewis

[pete harrison]

11 hours ago, pearley said:

As you cruise under the bridge to Coronation Gardens at Tipton in the garde  on the left is a perfect hexagonal base of a toll house. 

If I remember correctly the 'Toll House' that stood on that base was taken down and crated up with the intention of being rebuilt at the Black Country Museum 

[pearley]

11 hours ago, pete harrison said:

If I remember correctly the 'Toll House' that stood on that base was taken down and crated up with the intention of being rebuilt at the Black Country Museum 

When I started reading this thread I did think the BCLM would be a better place for one than Smethwick Top lock. They've just announced a large expansion, maybe it will happen. 

[Ray T]

https://www.triposo.com/poi/T__df41c14cabf0

The island toll house at Smethwick

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/news-and-views/blogs/nigel-crowe/toll-offices

Also this thread: 

 

Edited January 29, 2018 by Ray T

[furnessvale]

I have always assumed that the large notches in the ends of most toll islands were to hold a couple of boats out of the way without obstructing other traffic, possibly relevant if boats turned up with incorrect paperwork etc.

Does anyone know if my assumption is correct?

George

[john6767]

Thanks Ray, it is this photo that is in the book

Not seen it before.

Any idea what the gantry going accross to the toll house is?

[David Mack]

The ones with a notch in each end have a tunnel passing through the middle of the island, under the toll house. I have always assumed this so to allow water to pass through when the narrow passage either side is occupied by (loaded) boats.