In early 2020, High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd unearthed what is thought to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse on the site of the new Birmingham Curzon Street station. Designed by 19th century engineer Robert Stephenson, it was first operational in 1837.
The roundhouse was situated adjacent to the old Curzon Street station, which originally consisted of two station termini servicing the London and Birmingham Railway from 1838 and the Grand Junction Railway from 1839. Following the opening of Birmingham New Street Station in 1854, it was converted to a single goods station, which operated until the 1960s.
HS2 will see the site become home to the first brand new intercity terminus station built in Britain since the 19th century.