Black Pad and Tin Lizzy

If you live around The Dunlop site you may remember these as the lines across Burnaby Road and the engine that used them. My nan lived there and I can remember walking across the lines many times. The no2 bus used to stop at the Pilot pub (rest in peace) and we would walk down to my nan's from there. Never seen any engines or alike. But my nan aways called it The Black Pad, and Old Tin Lizzy. There were 2 lines that went into the Dunlop site, and joined the Coventry / Nuneaton line the city side of the old Foleshill Station. Does this bring back any memories? Baz

Hello Baz, Hi all. I remember two lines running from the Dunlop site, across Burnaby Road, and entering sidings adjacent to the down main running lines, before they entered the old Foleshill station yard. Just gaps in between the houses is all that is left & one of those might have been built on. Walking along the tarmac roadway next to the rugby ground, it is just possible to work out the location. An 0-4-0 diesel shunter was all that I ever saw running on the Dunlop section. That was in the fifties. Below is a link which will show an 0-4-0 steam loco shunting the sidings, but I never saw it go across Burnaby Rd. Warwickshire Railways

Thanks Philip. I just remember my nan calling it the Black Pad. The Tin Lizzy must have been the engine. The tracks can still be seen on the lower line near at the bottom of Burnaby Road, entering the factory, between the houses where cars are normally parked. I think both were single track, and no crossing gates across the road. Just wire gates stopping you from running down the tracks.

"Black pad" an ancient road from the Keresley area into Lockhurst Lane parallel to the present Burnaby Road, was closed so that a shell filing works could operate on what is now Dunlop Sports Ground. History of Holbrook

Think there's a few Black Pads. Mine was the one at the Tennyson Road end of Occupation Road.

Yes, I believe it was a common name for old footpaths? There was also one between Spon Street and what later became Croft Road but at the time was known as the Poddycroft.

Mornin' Philip, Hope your morning is as glorious as ours today. Just seen the link and thought - well that old girl has a strong pair of dumb buffers (pardon the pun). So what sort of wood would they have been made of? Considering they are buffers they would have to be hardwood. Have a great day?

Hi all & Morning Dreamtime. It's fab weather just now in 'POM-land'. Might just get m' corked hat out today, & go a 'waltzing down to the Billa-bong basin. Matilda is getting dressed just now ready for Friday morning shopping. Love to you all down-under. It's good on here.Hey! Hey, scrap all of that above, they are going to Solihull shopping today. That changes the whole tone, what-hey! La-de-da.

Oh dear, Philip's been at the Wincarnis again, and the sun's got to him as well

Baz your topic certainly brought back memories to my husband. As a young lad in the late 40s, after a trip to Livingstone Road swimming baths he says he used to cross the bridge by Bretts Stamping Works and wait for the Tin Lizzy. When it went passed, if the driver wasn't looking he, and his friends, used to jump on the buffers on the back of the trucks and have a ride to Rollason Close (just off Burnaby Road). The train then crossed Burnaby Road and went straight into the Dunlop. Philip, have you been at the port and lemonade again or is it this glorious weather we are having?

Hi Tricia It must have been the change of air when I was sat outside of Harry's in Bedworth, on Wednesday morning waiting for the 48 to Nuneaton. Not touched a drop, Tricia. PS. Hi, Midland Red. I was treated to a coffee (hope that I have pronounced that ok) it's more like corfeee in House-of-Fraser this morning with them ladies. 'What-hey'

Hi. Do you happen to know why old footpaths were called Black Pads?

"Pad" is the old word for "path", but why "black" I don't know?

Possibly Tarmac explains the black. Near where I live in the Mournes, there's an old bootleggers/smugglers' route called 'The Brandy Pad'

Living at the time in Burns Road this is also the 'Black Pad' that I remember. From the corner of Burns Road/Church Lane to Tennyson Road. Despite it officially being named Occupation Road, it was always the 'Black Pad'. The very name made it rather sinister to a young lad, especially after dark!