1 June, 1859, connecting the SSR to the BWDR route to Wolverhampton. It was laid with mixed gauge track, but the broad gauge rails were removed on 1 April 1869. The SSR had running powers over the BW&DR to Wolverhampton, although it is believed they were never exercised. Wednesbury to Darlaston branch An SSR Act of 23 July 1855 gave authorisation to build from Wednesbury SSR to Darlaston on the old GJR route. A single line opened on 14 September 1863 from the Darlaston former GJR station to Wednesbury. The Darlaston station was renamed James Bridge and a platform was provided on the Darlaston branch. The line was doubled on 22 December 1872. At first there was an intensive passenger service, of 56 daily trains; but the introduction of street-running trams practically wiped out the business and the passenger service was discontinued in 1887. The line was closed north of the Lloyds Works Siding at Fallings Heath on 24 December 1963; most of the rest of the line (except for a siding at the southern extremity) closed at the beginning of 1968. Wednesbury – Princes End – Tipton branch The 1855 Act also authorised a branch from Wednesbury to a triangular junction with the Stour Valley line at Tipton, penetrating a heavily industrialised area around Princes End. There was some delay in completing it, but it was opened on 14 September 1863. The south curve at Tipton to Tipton Station Junction was opened on 1 January 1883, and was not used for passenger traffic, except much later for diversionary purposes. A Walsall to Wolverhampton passenger service operated (to the northward curve) and its fate varied greatly, as there were better routes available for such a connection. The passenger services were withdrawn in 1916 as a wartime measure, and the line closed completely on 6 April 1981. Leighs Wood colliery branch A two-mile branch line was authorised in 1878, earlier (1855) powers having lapsed; it ran eastward from the SSR line near Pelsall to Leighs Wood colliery. The line opened on 14 November 1878, serving only a colliery and a brickworks; it closed in August 1965. New Pleck curve A west to north curve was provided at Pleck, connecting the old GJR route from Bushbury to the SSR route towards Walsall. It was authorised on 28 June 1877 and opened on 1 March 1881. On the same day the Portobello curve