_Places W. of Station_. _Places E. of Station_. Handsworth 1 mile Perry ¾ mile Aston 1 — Erdington 2¾ miles Smethwick 4¼ miles SUTTON COLDFIELD 5 — Little Aston 6 — Shenstone 8½ — [Picture: Aston Church and Viaduct] At this station, the line makes a considerable curve in an opposite direction to that hitherto followed, and passes Handsworth, (the church appearing among wood on the W.,) also Lea Hall, on the W., and over two bridges, named from J. Gough, Esq., through whose estate the line runs for two miles. Pleasant, quiet-looking scenery skirts the road for some distance, and about a mile from the last bridge, a view is gained of Perry Hall, seat of J. Gough, Esq., nearly encompassed by a grove of oak trees. At Hampstead Bridge, the old Walsall road crosses the line; and on either side the prospect is pleasantly varied by wood and water. Hampstead Hall, which lies near, is nearly concealed by its rich woods from the passers on the railroad. The line shortly enters a cutting, of from sixty to seventy feet deep; emerging from which into the open country, West Bromwich, and Sandwell Park, the seat of Earl Dartmouth, appear on the W., and Barr on the E. We now pass Newton Road Station. Distance to Birmingham, 6¾—Liverpool and Manchester, 90¾ miles. DISTANCES BY ROADS FROM THIS STATION TO THE FOLLOWING PLACES:— _Places W. of Station_. _Place E. of Station_. West Bromwich 2 miles Great Barr 2½ miles Oldbury 3¼ — Rowley Regis 5 — HALESOWEN 7¼ — Cradley 7¼ — The Lye 8½ — WEST BROMWICH has rapidly risen to importance from the rich iron and coal mines which abound in its vicinity. The great Gas Works are situated here, which supply the chief part of Birmingham, Wednesbury, Dudley, Bilston, Darlaston, and other places with gas; the main tubes extending to the aggregate length of 150 miles. There are two handsome churches, the one ancient, the other modern. Population, 15,330. * * * * * The site of the present splendid mansion of Sandwell, was, in the reign of Henry II., occupied by a priory of Benedictine Monks. Charley Mount, pleasantly situated on a hill, appears W. of the line, Ray Hall and Burslem, or Bustleholm Mill, on the E. Before passing Tame Bridge, Barr Beacon again appears, heading the distant view. Friar Park is on the W., with the town and church of Wednesbury (usually pronounced Wedgebury), towering above the trees. Walsall appears from the same point, lying N.E. of the line. * * * * *