Annatomix fox at Wylde Green Station

I was first aware that Annatomix had painted her trademark orange fox at Wylde Green Station, during June 2021. Took me a while, but returned to Sutton Coldfield at midday on Sunday 24th April 2022. Walked down from the Town Centre to the Highbridge Road Bridge. Down the steps, and the art was in an alcove behind the steps and wall.

Getting to Sutton Coldfield

I was going to get the 13:06 from platform 8A at Birmingham New Street Station, but it was running 10 minutes late on the 24th April 2022. The first Class 323 from Redditch ended up terminating there, but an announcement told passengers to go to platform 7A, so over the bridge to the other side, and another Class 323 arrived for 13:16 from Soho Depot.

Arriving at Sutton Coldfield Station, I first popped to Costa Coffee at the Gracechurch Centre, before walking down the Birmingham Road towards Wylde Green Station. I left Birmingham Road at Jockey Road. The wrong bridge over the Cross City Line, but found a shortcut via Wilkinson Close to Highbridge Road.

 

Annatomix fox at Wylde Green Station

Down the steps towards platform 1 (trains towards Four Oaks and Lichfield Trent Valley). I could see the Annatomix fox over the steps as I headed down.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In the alcove at the back, below the Highbridge Road Bridge in Wylde Green is the Annatomix fox.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The fox and the steps. To get back to Birmingham New Street though, went back up these steps, and over the other steps to platform 2.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now on the path to platform 2, a view of the Annatomix fox and the steps to / from platform 1.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is high fences either side of the railway, but the fox street art is just about visible from the path.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix fox Wylde Green (Apr 2022) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I somehow timed my arrival at Wylde Green Station as my train back to Birmingham New Street was arriving at platform 2. The Class 323 got a bit of shadow here, and you can see the fox by Annatomix on the far left.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Retook West Midlands Railway 323213, the lighting was better on the second attempt. Bit hard to see the Annatomix fox now.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There is a new thing from the Soho Depot called "Soho Bingo", the train I got is now named Sutton Coldfield. I think the game works if you get the name of the train at the station of the same name. But I did earlier arrive at Sutton Coldfield Station.

dndimg alt="Annatomix fox Wylde Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wylde Green Station (Apr 2022) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road - March 2022 update

Well the Westside Metro Extension to Five Ways and Hagley Road in Edgbaston is months late in opening. While West Midlands Metro restored a service to Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square by mid February 2022, the extension to Hagley Road is not yet open. Still cones and barriers. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop at 54 Hagley Rd now looks close to completion. Early March 2022 update.

26th June 2021

Last summer, early signs of working beginning to build Edgbaston Village Tram Stop on Hagley Road, outside of the former Barclays Bank and 54 Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tram Stop 26062021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

4th September 2021

Outside of Morrisons on the Hagley Road, and they had laid a green surface around the tracks. While other parts were covered over.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Hagley Rd 04092021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Hagley Rd 04092021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

13th November 2021

More of the same with the green surface outside of Starbucks Coffee, but a lot of barriers around here at the time. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop now has shelters installed.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WMExt 13112021 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5th December 2021

From Five Ways Island. Midland Metro Alliance have been spending months building electrical substations above the underpass between Broad Street and Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Five Ways Island" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MMA Five Ways Island 05122021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

26th December 2021

Boxing Day fog. The original plan was to have opened this Metro extension by the end of 2021, but this of course didn't happen. Cones along part of the route, while at least one lane open to traffic heading from Five Ways Island onto the Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd WM Ext 26122021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

9th January 2022

The new year, and a blue sky at the new crossing outside of Morrisons and Starbucks Coffee. With The Lansdowne on the other side of Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Metro Hagley Rd Ext 09012022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Metro Hagley Rd Ext 09012022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

7th February 2022

A visit to Morrisons Café on the Hagley Road. Views out of the window, cones and barriers with traffic diverted from Five Ways onto the Hagley Road. If you want to get to Stourbridge, catch the no 9 bus. After I left Morrisons, had a quick look at Edgbaston Village Tram Stop from outside.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hagley Rd Metro Ext 07022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

5th March 2022

Approaching Hagley Road from Highfield Road in Edgbaston. Edgbaston Village Tram Stop has the overhead cables and grey poles installed, as well as grass tracks next to 54 Hagley Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Village Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/EVTS Hagley Rd 05032022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

West Midlands Metro trams returns to Paradise

After 203 days, West Midlands Metro has finally resumed services between Bull Street and Library, on the 12th February 2022. The last trams in service for passengers at this end was 24th July 2021. Since then Corporation Street was closed for 11 weeks for track relaying. Then faults in the trams around November 2021, then some back in service to Bull Street by December 2021. Welcome back.

Saturday 12th February 2022

The 24th July 2021 was the last date that trams ran on a service for passengers to Library Tram Stop. Since then, a 11 week closure of Corporation Street for track relaying. Then delays from November 2021 when cracks were discovered (on the Spanish CAF manufactured trams). Some repaired trams back in service from December 2021, but only to Bull Street (some new Urbos 100 trams have been fast tracked into service alongside the original Urbos 3 trams). 12th February 2022, the first date that West Midlands Metro have got trams back in service towards Centenary Square (but every 12 minutes). Here tram 29 departs Town Hall Tram Stop, and heads around Paradise Circus, passing the new One Centenary Way, before approaching Centenary Square, for it's final approach to Library Tram Stop.

While beyond Library, Broad Street is all tracked, but beyond Five Ways to Hagley Road, it is not quite complete. So might be a couple more months before we can see trams further into Westside.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 29 Paradise Circus 12022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Monday 14th February 2022

On a rainy Valentine's Day, I popped up to the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. Saw West Midlands Metro tram 40 (Urbos 100) at Library Tram Stop. It then departed Centenary Square, via the Bus Gate onto Paradise Circus. While traffic waited at the traffic lights, for the tram to cross over to Paradise Street and to Town Hall Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Library Tram Stop 14022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Tram 40" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 40 Paradise 14022022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After leaving the Library of Birmingham via Centenary Square and Centenary Way. Walked into Chamberlain Square and Victoria Square. Just about caught West Midland Metro tram 23 departing from Town Hall Tram Stop for Library. The first of three trams I saw heading to Westside.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Town Hall Vic Sq 14022022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Walking down Pinfold Street, the next tram I saw was West Midlands Metro tram 28 "Jasper Carrott", heading up Stephenson Street, having departed Grand Central Tram Stop. It then headed up Pinfold Street towards Victoria Square. The second of three trams. Maybe at least one was going onto Broad Street for a test run?

dndimg alt="Stephenson Pinfold" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 38 SP 14022022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Stephenson Pinfold" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 38 SP 14022022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One last tram seen from Stephenson Street. West Midlands Metro tram 31 "Cyrille Regis" seen heading down from Corporation Street onto Stephenson Place. Still people walking on the wrong side of the road. There is a pavement next to the Apple building (ex Midland Bank / Waterstone's).

dndimg alt="Stephenson Corporation" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 31 SC 14022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Stephenson Corporation" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 31 SC 14022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I actually started this rainy photo walk heading past Snow Hill. The Living Wall and grass track. First up was West Midlands Metro tram 20 heading to Wolverhampton. Then arriving at St Chad's Tram Stop was tram 34 heading to Birmingham. I then went down the steps, and walked up Constitution Hill and Great Hampton Street into the Jewellery Quarter.

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Snow Hill trams" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Snow Hill 14022022 (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Royal Navy 692 - WT 723 at SCC Technology Campus in Tyseley

On the no 4 / 4A bus route on the Warwick Road in Tyseley. There is now a decommissioned Hawker Hunter at the SCC Technology Campus. After the Shoreham air crash, it would never fly again. But was placed here on a pole stand around September 2021. A short walk up from Tyseley Locomotive Works and Tyseley Station, not far from Greet and the River Cole.

If you catch the no 4 or 4A bus from Carrs Lane in the City Centre towards Tyseley and Acocks Green, you might spot something unusual. This decommissioned Hawker Hunter Royal Navy plane has been mounted on a pole stand at the SCC Technology Campus between Greet and Tyseley. The Warwick Road junction with Battery Way. Also near the Cole Valley Business Park, Burbury Brickworks Nature Reserve (Shire Country Park) and the River Cole. People in cars or other transport might also spot it on their journey up and down the Warwick Road.

First flew in 1955. Retired in 1993. Various owners since. Since Shoreham crash it has been de-registered, and from September 2021 was moved to Tyseley pole-mounted at the SCC premises. All major components removed.

 

Royal Navy 692 - WT 723 - Hawker Hunter

Gallery of eight photos below. Taken on Saturday 15th January 2022.

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Royal Navy 692" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RN 692 SCC Tyseley 15012022 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The rebuilding of University Station - progress from May to December 2021

University Station originally opened on the Cross City Line in 1978 to serve the University of Birmingham, and now the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Work began to build the new station buildings around Spring 2021. By Winter 2021-22 the main buildings are taking shape and getting cladded. The old station remains open throughout the works. Three photo updates from Elliott.

University Station - West Midlands Railway

First some photos of University Station in the years before the redevelopment.

View of University Station from platform 1 during March 2012. This was my first time getting off a train here.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station (March 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Below a view from Westgate taken in January 2013. Sometimes also called University Road West.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station (Jan 2013) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In July 2017, a view of a London Midland Class 323 Electric Multiple Unit train, as seen from platform 2. By December of that year the franchise transferred over to West Midlands Railway. 323208 was the number.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/University London Midland 323208.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

By December 2019 there was a new West Midlands Railway sign outside the station on Westgate, replacing the old Network West Midlands one.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

In August 2020, a view of University Station, after restrictions were being lifted at the time, but was no access to the University of Birmingham's Edgbaston Campus to members of the public who were not members of staff or students.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

29th May 2021

First views of the new University Station getting built from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station 29052021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station 29052021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The old 1978 station building remains open from the Westgate with a view of Old Joe (before the clock hands were removed).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station 29052021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the bus stops of the site from New Fosse Way. The new station buildings would be built alongside Vincent Drive, near NHS Blood & Transplant Birmingham and the Birmingham Research Park.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station 29052021 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

6th August 2021

In the summer of 2021, I got a train down from Birmingham New Street Station. West Midlands Railway 170509. In a purple livery (as it will soon transfer to East Midlands Railway).

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind the train you could see the structure of the new building going up.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading down Vincent Drive.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was possible to see Old Joe behind the new building before it was complete last summer.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now on Pritchatts Road from the bridge over the Cross City Line and Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There will not be access to the station from this end.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Uni Station UoB 06082021 (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

28th December 2021

Starting this time from Pritchatts Road, after checking out Old Joe (now with clock hands reinstated), the same view as 5 months earlier from the bridge over the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and the Cross City Line. The new station building has a new footbridge. When complete it will have an entrance to Westgate.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading up Vincent Drive to a more complete looking station, although a lot to complete.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the bus stops on New Fosse Way. Work was still going on here during the Christmas - New Year holidays.

dndimg alt="University Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/UoB Uni Station rebuild 28122021 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown can also be found on Twitter: ellrbrown