Trains (past, present and future) in Birmingham and West Midlands

Birmingham & West Midlands Trains - With People with Passion we're building gallery & collection of posts looking at the past, present & future of the region's trains.


This is a community owned project with wonderful contributions from our People with Passion.

 

WEST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

West Midlands Railway took over from London Midland in December 2017. They current have trains of the following Classes: 139, 170, 172 and 323. The old 153's will be leaving the fleet.

The Stourbridge Shuttle, Class 139

There is two Stourbridge Shuttle's, also called Parry People Movers. Introduced into service under London Midland in 2009, between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. After West Midlands Railway took over in late 2017, the livery was changed from green to purple / orange in 2018.

Stourbridge Shuttle

Stourbridge Shuttle: West Midlands Railway 139001 at Stourbridge Town Station (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 153

Introduced to service in 1991/92 and still in service. West Midlands Railway has about 8 Class 153's that they inherited from London Midland in late 2017. The final one was withdrawn from service at the end of December 2020.

Class 153

West Midlands Railway 153364 at the newly opened Kenilworth Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 170

The Class 170 Turbostar trains were built in 1999. West Midlands Railway currently has 23 of them in their fleet, inheriting them from London Midland at the end of 2017. When the Class 196 trains comes into service later in 2021, these trains will be transferred to East Midlands Railway.

Class 170

West Midlands Railway 170633 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 172

Built between 2010 and 2011 they were put into service on the Snow Hill Lines in 2011 by London Midland, they transferred to West Midlands Railway at the end of 2017. Originally they had 172/2 x 12 and 172/3 x 15. 172/0 x 8 was transferred over from London Overground in 2019, and entered service on the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton via Coventry line, refurbished with a new West Midlands Railway livery inside and out.

Class 172

West Midlands Railway 172 338 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (October 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 196

West Midlands Trains has new trains on order including the new Class 196. They were on test runs on the Snow Hill Lines during 2020, and may come into service later in 2021. Built between 2019 and 2020 by CAF in Spain, they are of the Civity type of train. On order is 196/0 x 12 and 196/1 x 14. It is planned to replace West Midlands Railway entire fleet of Class 170 trains (see above). It is planned for them to run on the Birmingham to Shrewsbury line, the Birmingham to Hereford line and some appearances on the Snow Hill Lines (Dorridge & Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester via Birmingham Snow Hill).

Class 196

West Midlands Railway 196 101 on a test run through Yardley Wood Station (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 323

These entered into service in 1994 after being built around 1990 to 1991. West Midlands Railway inherited a fleet of 26 Class 323's from London Midland at the end of 2017. They run on the Cross City Line from Redditch to Lichfield Trent Valley via Birmingham New Street. Bromsgrove was added to the Cross City Line after electrification (from 2018). They also run up the Chase Line towards Walsall. Beyond Walsall the line was electrified to Rugeley Trent Valley, but West Midlands Railway usually uses Class 350's on that line now (from 2019).

Class 323

West Midlands Railway 323203 from the Somerset Road Bridge in Edgbaston near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal (January 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

LONDON NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY

London Northwestern Railway took over from London Midland in December 2017. They inherited the Class 350's.

Class 350

These semi fast electric trains entered into service in 2005. The Class 350 is also called Desiro. London Northwestern Railway (a sub company of West Midlands Trains), inherited a fleet of 77 Class 350's from London Midland at the end of 2017. A further 10 Class 350's were transferred from TransPennine Express during 2019 to 2020. They operate the trains on the London Euston to Birmingham New Street line as well as up to Liverpool Lime Street via Crewe. It is planned to replace all 350/2 with Class 730 "Aventura" trains.

LNWR Class 350

London Northwestern Railway 350406 arriving at Birmingham New Street Station from London Euston (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

CHILTERN RAILWAYS

Chiltern Railways has Class 68, Class 165, Class 168 and Class 172.

Class 68

They were built between 2013 and 2017. Chiltern Railways has sub-leased 14 Class 68 diesel locomotives from Direct Rail Services on the Chiltern Mainline between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street or Birmingham Snow Hill (sometimes as far as Kidderminster). Behind them are Mark 3 coaches with a Driving Van Trailer at the back. The Class 68 replaced the Class 67 (which they used from 2010 to 2014, which used to be used by Wrexham & Shropshire).

Class 68

Chiltern Railways 68009, Titan at Birmingham Moor Street Station (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 165

These have been in service since 1991. Chiltern Railways has had them since the mid 1990s taking over from Network SouthEast. Today in the West Midlands Region, they are used on the Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon line, as well as Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street. They were refurbished in 2003 and 2005. Another refurbishment took place in them in 2015.

Class 165

Chiltern Railways 165019 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (February 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 168

The Class 168 Clubman trains are used on the Chiltern Mainline between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street / Snow Hill. They entered service back in 1998. They were refurbished inside and out during 2013. You can get down to London in 90 minutes, with stops at Solihull, Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa in the West Midlands region. The more comfortable way and more scenic route down to the capital. Some trains stop at Wembley Stadium if a football match is on there (so the trains can get quite full on those days).

Class 168

Chiltern Railways 168216 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station (September 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 172

Chiltern Railways has 4 two car Class 172 trains, usually attached at the back of their Class 168's, on the routes between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone.

Class 172

Chiltern Railways 172 101 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

AVANTI WEST COAST

Avanti West Coast took over from Virgin Trains in December 2019, and inherited trains of the following classes: Class 220, Class 221 and Class 390.

Class 390

The Class 390 Pendolino's have been in service on the West Coast Mainline from 2002 onwards. Operated by Virgin Trains from 2002 until their franchise ended at the end of 2019. Avanti West Coast took over. They were built by Alstom. They were refurbished by Avanti in 2020. This is the fastest route from Birmingham New Street to London Euston (until HS2 eventually opens which Avanti might be running in the future), but the most expensive.

Avanti West Coast Class 390

Avanti West Coast 390 127 departing for London Euston from Birmingham New Street (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINS

Cross Country Trains has Class 170, Class 220 and Class 221. They also have some old Intercity 125 trains which was Class 43.

Class 220

These entered service in 2001 with Virgin Trains CrossCountry, but transferred to Cross Country Trains in 2007. They replaced the then 20 year old Intercity 125 trains. All trains goes through Birmingham New Street. They are also known as Voyager.

Class 220

Cross Country Trains Class 220 passing the site of Harborne Junction (February 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 221

The Class 221 Super Voyager trains entered service in 2002 with then operator Virgin Trains, used on the Cross Country and West Coast Mainline. Cross Country Trains inherited them from Virgin Trains Cross Country in 2007. They used to be able to tilt, but this was disabled in 2008.

Cross Country 221 New St

Cross Country Super Voyager 221128 at Birmingham New Street Station (August 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

25 Mar 2019 - On-going

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29 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street

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For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.

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Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street





For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.


Yes it was disappointing that Birmingham didn't win the rights this time to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, that honour went to Liverpool. You might remember that 25 years ago, Birmingham was the host for the Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom - Birmingham 1998, at the National Indoor Arena.

Had Birmingham won the right to host it in 2023, it would have gone to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, but it wasn't to be.

 

In May 2023, ahead of Eurovison in Liverpool, London Northwestern Railway (the brand name for West Midlands Trains between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street), unveiled a special yellow livery on 350104.

The branding has BBC, Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine and United by Music all over the four carriage set.

 

I was waiting at platform 2 at Wolverhampton Station, after my visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery (on the August Bank Holiday Monday), as the Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street train arrived in Liverpool livery! As well as the Eurovision 2023 train, the one behind had Liverpool John Lennon Airport on it (I sat in a carriage on that one at the back).

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After waiting in a tunnel waiting for a platform, at a signal (I was still in the Liverpool John Lennon Airport train), the train headed to platform 5 at Birmingham New Street Station. I headed down the platform for some more views at the A end of the platform. I was unable to get a photo of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport livery on the other train (which I had got off). As was so many passengers getting off with the luggage.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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01 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry

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I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.

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Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry





I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.


Coventry Station

Arriving at Coventry Station on Avanti West Coast Pendolino Flying Scouseman 390 148 on the 23rd February 2023. Mainly to have a look around the new Coventry Station concourse (the old 1960s building remains as is Grade II listed). Caught at Birmingham New Street, this train was going down the West Coast Mainline towards London Euston. The train stopped at platform 2. After my walk around Coventry (via War Memorial Park and the City Centre), I got Cross Country Trains back to Birmingham New Street (standing all the way, no free seats).

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The previous time I'd been to Coventry Station was on the 12th June 2021, where I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010, with the 'Welcome to Coventry' sign. That day I got Avanti down to Coventry from Birmingham New Street, and later back with this train.

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Birmingham International Station

I previously saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 152 at Birmingham International on the 3rd September 2022. But that day got London Northwestern Railway back to Birmingham New Street. This Avanti service was heading for Edinburgh at the time.

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Birmingham New Street Station

Seen from platform 4c at Birmingham New Street was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 135 at platform 5 (5b) on the 19th June 2021.

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While at platform 3 (3b) that day was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 122.

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A pair of Avanti West Coast Pendolino's Class 390 recorded at Birmingham New Street, from the Moor Street Link Bridge on the 17th October 2021.

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At Birmingham New Street on the 20th August 2020,  I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 127 in the new livery. Earlier that year before the pandemic began, they were still white, after the end of Virgin Trains in December 2019.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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21 Feb 2023 - Elliott Brown
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Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221

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Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.

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Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221





Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.


Centro Regional Railways 323221

West Midlands Railway repainted the Class 323 unit 323221 in the 1990s livery of lime green, yellow and white with Centro and Regional Railways logos at the Soho depot. It returned to service on the 19th December 2022.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown first spotted it at Selly Oak near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal a day later (near Selly Oak Shopping Park on 20/12/2022), but was unable to get a photo of it.

Several other attempts to see it including a trip from Five Ways to Longbridge (and back to Kings Norton on 21/12/2022), then Birmingham New Street to Aston (and back from Duddeston on 01/01/2023), finally Bournville to Birmingham New Street one way (on 28/01/2023), didn't catch it.

 

Previous liveries over the years

London Midland 323221 at Aston Station during August 2012.

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London Midland 323221 at Witton Station during September 2012.

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London Midland 323221 at Bournville Station during January 2015.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 in London Midland livery, late December 2017, at Birmingham New Street Station. The franchise changed that month.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 at Chester Road Station during December 2018.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 at Selly Oak Station during August 2019.

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University Station - 11th February 2023

On this day I went to the Selly Oak Shopping Park and walked up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to catch a train one way from University to Birmingham New Street. And I finally got 323221 arriving on a service to Redditch! It was quite awesome to see. The station here is still not complete. At the front that day was 323204.

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The platforms here feel extra long, but don't walk past the no pedestrians sign at the end.

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Sometime in the future you will be able to use both sides of the new station building, but it is still not open or complete.

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First full view of the back of 323221 in it's "new" Regional Railways livery.

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These units still had this livery into the Central Trains era, but was changed to a darker green, yellow and white livery under London Midland from 2007 to 2017.

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Eventually when West Midlands Railway took over in 2017, they got a orange and white livery. They are due to be replaced by the new Class 730 Aventra with orange and purple livery sometime in the future, by 2024.

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Video clip on Youtube here West Midlands Railway 323 at University.

 

Birmingham New Street Station - 15th February 2023

A few days later, I went to Birmingham New Street to get the train to Shenstone in Staffordshire, to see the Annatomix mural. And guess what, Centro Regional Railways 323221 showed up at platform 8! So I got on it and had a half hour ride to Shenstone. While there was 11am emergency alarms tests at the station, but departed a few minutes later.

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The Class 323's have a big gap between the platform if they are curved, so MIND THE GAP.

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The refurbished interior is unchanged from when West Midlands Railway did up the entire fleet from 2018 to 2021.

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My walk around the village of Shenstone gave me time to get back to the station and back on West Midlands Railway 323221 in Regional Railways Centro livery, and back to Birmingham New Street. Arriving at platform 12.

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Shenstone Station - 15th February 2023

Between Sutton Coldfield and Staffordshire as usual is all the fields, and after that Shenstone is the first station outside of the WMCA. Got off West Midlands Railway 323221 at Shenstone. It was a bit bright from this side as I exited the station. Couldn't initially saw the Annatomix. A half hour walk around the village, found three pubs, and several old churches.

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The station building at Shenstone probably dates to 1884 but isn't listed, sunlight to bright from this side, was better to see from the car park.

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Up the steps to Lynn Lane, for a half hour walk around Shenstone.

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After the walk, back to Shenstone Station. The Annatomix was in the bike store area on platform 2. This time 323221 was at the back, with 323207 at the front, still I decided to get on 323221 again for the half hour train ride back to Birmingham New Street from Shenstone.

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323207 passed under the Lynn Lane bridge.

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Six carriages on three car sets linked together. The WMR livery contrasts with the Centro Regional Railways livery behind.

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Yellow doors with the Centro logo, press the button to open the doors when it lights up.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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28 Oct 2020 - Elliott Brown
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West Midlands Railway 196 101 and 104 at Tyseley TMD

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There is now at least two new Class 196 trains based at Tyseley TMD, the home of West Midlands Railway Birmingham Tyseley. WMR 196 104 was visible on the sidings close to Tyseley Station, while 196 101 was sticking out of the modern engine shed. More will be arriving in the next year or so.

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West Midlands Railway 196 101 and 104 at Tyseley TMD





There is now at least two new Class 196 trains based at Tyseley TMD, the home of West Midlands Railway Birmingham Tyseley. WMR 196 104 was visible on the sidings close to Tyseley Station, while 196 101 was sticking out of the modern engine shed. More will be arriving in the next year or so.


I noticed from the no 4 bus last week that you could see a Class 196 train from West Midlands Railway in Tyseley, as I was heading down to Acocks Green. So a few days later, I walked up from Acocks Green Village to see if I could spot them. There was two of them. Hard to see the numbers with your eyes, but got them from the photos. It started raining just after I got them, before I caught the no 4 bus to Solihull.

West Midlands Railway 196 101

This train was visible from near the entrance of the Tyseley Locomotive Works, and also near the entrance of West Midlands Railway Birmingham Tyseley (through the fences).

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West Midlands Railway 196 104

This train could be seen from the Wharfdale Road Bridge near Tyseley Station. You could also see it from the Warwick Road. If you are lucky, you might see it from a train in passing (if it's still there of course).

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dndimg alt="WMR 196 104" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196 104 Tyseley 24102020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

If not getting a train to or from Tyseley Station, you can get the no 4 or 4A buses here on the Warwick Road. Also in walking distance of Acocks Green Village.

 

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

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17 Aug 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

West Midlands Railway 196 101 test run through Yardley Wood Station

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I got a tip off where I could see West Midlands Railway 196 101. So I walked down to Yardley Wood Station. This Spanish built CAF train would pass through at about 10:17 on 13/08/2020. Stopping for a moment before resuming it's journey back to Tyseley TMD.

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West Midlands Railway 196 101 test run through Yardley Wood Station





I got a tip off where I could see West Midlands Railway 196 101. So I walked down to Yardley Wood Station. This Spanish built CAF train would pass through at about 10:17 on 13/08/2020. Stopping for a moment before resuming it's journey back to Tyseley TMD.


Click here to see the Class 196 mock up at Tyseley post.

WEST MIDLANDS RAILWAY 196 101

I'd like to thank my Flickr friend and fellow train enthusiast Geoff Dowling for this tip off. He said that I might see the test run of West Midlands Railway 196 101 between 10:15 and 10:30 on the 13th August 2020. So I walked down to Yardley Wood Station to see it. Thought I might as well buy an E-ticket to Birmingham Snow Hill on the app as I walked down Highfield Road.

This Class 196 is currently the only full train that West Midlands Railway has, apart from that mock up I saw in Tyseley. Since arriving, it's been regularly doing test runs down to Stratford-upon-Avon or towards Worcester Foregate Street or Worcester Shrub Hill.

In this case, it was returning from Stratford-upon-Avon, probably going back to Tyseley TMD. It arrived around 10:17. Simulating a stop for a few seconds before moving on. I had another half hour wait at platorm 2, for the 10:45 to Birmingham Snow Hill.

Made by CAF in Spain, there is 26 trains of this Class on order. When the full fleet arrives in the UK, West Midlands Trains plans to replace the fleet of Class 170/5 and 170/6 Turbostar's and their Class 153's with the new Class 196's.

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR 196 101" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR 196101 Yardley Wood Station (Aug 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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50 passion points
Transport
10 Aug 2020 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

West Midlands Railway Class 196 section at Tyseley

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West Midlands Railway will soon have a fleet of Class 196 Civity diesel multiple unit trains. There is a section of one at the Tyseley DMU depot of West Midlands Railway. I saw it behind the metal fences from the Warwick Road. They will replace the old Class 153's and Class 170's. It might be there for testing or driver training, as it's in the car park.

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West Midlands Railway Class 196 section at Tyseley





West Midlands Railway will soon have a fleet of Class 196 Civity diesel multiple unit trains. There is a section of one at the Tyseley DMU depot of West Midlands Railway. I saw it behind the metal fences from the Warwick Road. They will replace the old Class 153's and Class 170's. It might be there for testing or driver training, as it's in the car park.


West Midlands Railway Class 196

There is a section near the Warwick Road in Tyseley of a West Midlands Railway Class 196 train. Near the entrance to West Midlands Railway Birmingham Tyseley. Outside was a sign about VE Day 75 (which was in May 2020) and an NHS Rainbow. Thank you to our NHS staff and Key Workers.

Gallery below of five photos of a new Class 196 train (I couldn't see another one from Tyseley Station, but noticed one in July 2020 from a train).

It might be there to be used for training, as it is on a car park.

dndimg alt="WMR Class 196" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Class 196 Tyseley (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR Class 196" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Class 196 Tyseley (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR Class 196" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Class 196 Tyseley (Aug 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR Class 196" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Class 196 Tyseley (Aug 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="WMR Class 196" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Class 196 Tyseley (Aug 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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50 passion points
Transport
16 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The Class 168 on the Chiltern Mainline from Birmingham Snow Hill to Leamington Spa

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Chiltern Railways operates the Chiltern Mainline from Birmingham Snow Hill (or Moor Street) towards London Marylebone. Their main diesel multiple unit trains are the Class 168 Clubman. They do also use Class 68 with Mark 3 carriages, but here we will be looking at the Class 168 from Birmingham Snow Hill towards Leamington Spa. Stopping at Solihull and Warwick Parkway.

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The Class 168 on the Chiltern Mainline from Birmingham Snow Hill to Leamington Spa





Chiltern Railways operates the Chiltern Mainline from Birmingham Snow Hill (or Moor Street) towards London Marylebone. Their main diesel multiple unit trains are the Class 168 Clubman. They do also use Class 68 with Mark 3 carriages, but here we will be looking at the Class 168 from Birmingham Snow Hill towards Leamington Spa. Stopping at Solihull and Warwick Parkway.


I've not been on a train since lockdown came into force during late March 2020. Before then I went on the Chiltern Mainline from Solihull to Leamington Spa at the end of February 2020 (to go on the branch line to Coventry). The last time I went to Solihull Station in the middle of March 2020 was get some trains to Aston (to see the turnable in Eastside).

The photos below were taken between 2009 and early 2020.

Chiltern Railways have been running the Chiltern Railways franchise since 1996. The mainline is between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone. In late 2010, the terminus platforms 3 and 4 were restored to Birmingham Moor Street Station, and many Chiltern trains now terminate there.

The Class 168 Clubman DMU trains were built between 1998 and 2004. They were refurbished in 2007-8 and from 2013 onwards. There is 4 types of Class 168. The

  • 168/0 (built in 1998)
  • 168/1 (built in 2000)
  • 168/2 (built in 2004)
  • 168/3 (built in 2000 as Class 170 for TransPennine Express)

Birmingham Snow Hill Station

Seen at platform 2 during September 2013 was Chiltern Railways 168216. It would form a service to London Marylebone. Seen in it's new livery at Birmingham Snow Hill Station, while I was at platform 3.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Snow Hill 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Snow Hill Class 168 (Sept 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Chiltern Railways 168002 had just arrived at platform 2 at Snow Hill Station during November 2014, having come from London Marylebone. One of the oldest trains in the fleet, in it's new livery.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Snow Hill 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Snow Hill Class 168 (Nov 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Chiltern Railways 168217 was seen at platform 2 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station during May 2016. From my usual view from platform 3. In the new standard grey livery.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Snow Hill 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Snow Hill Class 168 (May 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen inside of Birmingham Snow Hill Station at platform 2, during December 2017 was Chiltern Railways 168 329. It would form the Chiltern Mainline service to London Marylebone. This was one of the trains that Chiltern inherited from TransPennine Express, which used to be a Class 170, before it was converted.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Snow Hill 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Snow Hill Class 168 (Dec 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Moor Street Station

Seen at platform 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station during November 2011, was Chiltern Railways 168108. Behind was Selfridges, the Rotunda and what used to be the Pavilions (which it was at the time). The old blue livery would last a few more years after this. These restored platforms opened at the end of 2010. Part of Chiltern's Evergreen 3 project (during Phase 1).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Moor Street 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Moor St Class 168 (Nov 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Chiltern Railways 168110 was seen at platform 4 during April 2015 in the new grey livery. The inside of these trains had been refurbished as well. Can just about see Selfridges from here.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Moor Street 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Moor St Class 168 (April 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Arriving at platform 3 at Birmingham Moor Street during December 2017 was Chiltern Railways 168004. In the new grey livery, but was looking a bit dirty at the time.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Moor Street 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Moor St Class 168 (Dec 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In January 2020 from platform 1 at Birmingham Moor Street. Chiltern Railways 168106 had just left Birmingham Snow Hill. And after a stop at Moor Street, was heading on it's way to it's next stop at Solihull, on it's way towards London Marylebone.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Moor Street 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Moor St Class 168 (Jan 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Solihull Station

Departing Solihull Station during May 2013 was Chiltern Railways 168216. At the front was also Chiltern Railways 172 103. It was heading to London Marylebone. In the old blue livery.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Solihull 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Solihull Class 168 (May 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In December 2013, I was at Solihull Station when I saw Chiltern Railways 168108. It was heading for Birmingham Moor Street (which would be it's final stop and terminus).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Solihull 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Solihull Class 168 (Dec 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In May 2016 at Solihull, I saw Chiltern Railways 168218 heading towards London Marylebone. It was a wet weekend, and this might have been a Wembley Special weekend (the FA Cup Final was that weekend at the time). I've been on a Chiltern train when it's been packed full of football fans going down to Wembley.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Solihull 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Solihull Class 168 (May 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In July 2019 an unidentified Chiltern Railways Class 168 is seen crossing the Low Bridge on Blossomfield Road in Solihull. While a pair of buses cross under it towards Solihull Town Centre. I had just got off the no 6 bus, which was the red single decker bus on the right. The bus with NXWM was 1914. Landflight bus on the left was on the 8W.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Solihull 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Solihull Class 168 (July 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Warwick Parkway Station

I got the train down from Solihull to Warwick in April 2019, and walked up the Grand Union Canal. Getting off near Warwick Parkway Station. This was my first time using the station, although I've passed through it many times in the past. Seen departing from Warwick Parkway for London Marylebone was Chiltern Railways 168 323 and 168 321.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Warwick Parkway 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Warwick Parkway Class 168 (April 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Both Chiltern Railways 168 323 and 168 321 had been part of the former TransPennine Express fleet (it ended in 2016) that used to be Class 170, before they were refurbished and change to a Class 168/3.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Warwick Parkway 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Warwick Parkway Class 168 (April 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After a wait at Warwick Parkway, Chiltern Railways 168 326 arrived at the station.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Warwick Parkway 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Warwick Parkway Class 168 (April 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Chiltern Railways 168 326 would be my ride back to Solihull from Warwick Parkway. Sit in the Quiet Zone. It is so comfortable on these trains.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Warwick Parkway 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Warwick Parkway Class 168 (April 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Leamington Spa Station

Back in October 2011, I got the train down to Leamington Spa Station for the first time for a photo walk around the town. Seen at the opposite platform was Chiltern Railways 168112. After stopping at Leamington Spa, it would resume it's journey down to London Marylebone.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Leamington Spa 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Leamington Spa Class 168 (Oct 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In March 2018 on another visit to Leamington Spa Station, I saw Chiltern Railways 168108. This was the first time I had got a train from Coventry to Leamington, going past Kenilworth (which hadn't opened at the time). I would go back when Kenilworth Station opened for the first time. Meanwhile this Chiltern train was heading down to London Marylebone after a stop at Leamington Spa.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Leamington Spa 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Leamington Spa Class 168 (March 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Leap Year Day at the end of February 2020, I caught a packed Chiltern Railways train down to Leamington Spa from Solihull (heading to Coventry on the branch line). Got off before the train got too busy with football fans. Chiltern Railways 168215 seen heading on it's way down to London Marylebone. That day, Chiltern should have put two trains on of 8 carriages. But was only a crowded four carriages.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Leamington Spa 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Leamington Spa Class 168 (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After I got back to Leamington Spa from Coventry (with Cross Country, as would have been a long wait for West Midlands Railway), Chiltern Railways 168003 arrived, and it would take me back to Solihull. Much quieter and less busier. This was the last time I travelled with Chiltern Railways before lockdown and the current restrictions.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Leamington Spa 168" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Leamington Spa Class 168 (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the 15th June 2020, if you travel on the train (or bus) you have to wear a mask over your mouth and nose. But travel is still "essential travel only". So I don't know when I'll be going on a train, or even a bus again (any time soon). Not been on either in 3 months now (since March 2020).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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50 passion points
Transport
18 Mar 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Class 172/0 from the London Overground to the West Midlands Railway

Post image

In 2019, West Midlands Railway inherited 8 trains from the London Overground of the Class 172/0. Initially I saw some of them at Tyseley in the old colours, before they were changed inside and out to the orange and purple of WMR. They are now used on the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton via Coventry branch line (replacing the single car Class 153's). Merging the two branch lines to Coventry.

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The Class 172/0 from the London Overground to the West Midlands Railway





In 2019, West Midlands Railway inherited 8 trains from the London Overground of the Class 172/0. Initially I saw some of them at Tyseley in the old colours, before they were changed inside and out to the orange and purple of WMR. They are now used on the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton via Coventry branch line (replacing the single car Class 153's). Merging the two branch lines to Coventry.


The Class 172 DMU trains were built between 2010 and 2011. London Midland had the Class 172/2 and 172/3 from the autumn of 2011. West Midlands Railway took over the franchise in December 2017. The 172/0 trains were on the London Overground, but only ended up with West Midlands Railway during 2019 (after the LO lines were upgraded and they got new electric trains down there).

West Midlands Railway Birmingham Tyseley

Seen at the Tyseley Diesel Multiple Unit Depot was the former London Overground train now inherited by West Midlands Railway. It was London Overground 172 002. Seen from the Wharfdale Road Bridge in Tyseley during February 2019.

dndimg alt="London Overground 172 002" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot LO 172 002 (Feb 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The lines in London that they used to run on have been electrified and new trains have been introduced down there. 8 Class 172/0's were inherited by West Midlands Railway. Before they could go into service in the West Midlands they had to of had their liveries changed on the outside, and the seating covers and signs done on the inside.

dndimg alt="London Overground 172 002" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot LO 172 002 (Feb 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I returned to Tyseley early in March 2019 and saw the former London Overground 172 006 train. This view was from the Warwick Road, not far from the entrance to the Tyseley Locomotive Works. Still in the old LO colours at this point.

dndimg alt="London Overground 172 006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot LO 172 006 (March 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The first train I saw in the new West Midlands Railway orang and purple livery was 172003, this was during May 2019. The view from the Warwick Road in Tyseley. Probably one of the first 172/0's that got changed inside and out.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot West Midlands Railway 172003 (May 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

But 172 006 was still in the old London Overground colours as of May 2019, as you can see here. The view from the Wharfdale Road Bridge. It wouldn't be long before it was transformed into the new West Midlands Railway colours.

dndimg alt="London Overground 172 006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot London Overground 172 006 (May 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By September 2019, I had another look from the Wharfdale Road Bridge near Tyseley Station. This was now West Midlands Railway 172002, and is used on both the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton line and on the Snow Hill lines.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172002" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Tyseley DMU Depot West Midlands Railway 172002 (Sep 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Snow Hill Station

I actually saw West Midlands Railway 172003 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station during August 2019. This was a zoom in from the Livery Street bridge (near St Paul's Tram Stop). At this point I had yet to travel on one.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Snow Hill Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (August 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Leamington Spa Station

On the 29th February 2020, I got a crowded Chiltern Railways train from Solihull down to Leamington Spa, so I could have a ride on a 172/0 for the first time to Coventry. West Midlands Railway 172003 arrives at the platform which would form the next service towards Nuneaton.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Railway coming into the platform at Leamington Spa Station.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The weather was actually nice, got a lovely blue sky in Leamington Spa, before I got on the train towards Coventry.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is what the interior of West Midlands Railway 172003 looks like now. The train would have one stop before Coventry, and that was Kenilworth. When I last had a ride on this line to Kenilworth, they were still using the old Class 153's. This was a much more comfortable ride to Coventry.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Coventry Station

After a journey of about 15 to 20 minutes, I was in Coventry. I got off West Midlands Railway 172003 as more passengers boarded towards Nuneaton. The next stop would have been Coventry Arena.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Coventry Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Here you are also seeing passengers getting off the train and heading to the exit at Coventry Station.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Coventry Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The train heading on it's way towards Nuneaton. From platform 4. I had later hoped to get one back to Leamington Spa, but had to go to platform 2. And the first train to Leamington Spa was a Cross Country Voyager (I stood all the way back to Leamington Spa from Coventry).

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172003" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Coventry Station West Midlands Railway 172003 (Feb 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Leamington Spa Station

Later back at Leamington Spa Station. Having got off my Cross Country train and went under the subway to the platform back to Solihull, I saw West Midlands Railway 172006 arriving at the station.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172006 (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Where I was sitting at Coventry, I saw a 172/0 heading towards Nuneaton, and would be a long wait. I had 30 minutes waiting to go back to Leamington Spa, when I got Cross Country. Here we see West Midlands Railway 172006 coming to a stop and the passengers getting off.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172006 (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Side of the train with a Leamington Spa sign.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172006 (Feb 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Train doors now closed with the next bunch of passengers ready to head towards Coventry and Nuneaton.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 172006" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Station West Midlands Railway 172006 (Feb 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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Transport
11 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

Virgin Trains: end of an era (1997 - 2019). From Wolverhampton to Coventry via Birmingham New Street

Post image

The 22 year long West Coast Mainline franchise with Virgin Trains finally came to an end on Saturday 7th December 2019. The franchise started in March 1997, and has had many extensions since. Almost losing it to First in 2012. The franchise will be taken over by Avanti West Coast on Sunday 8th December 2019. On trains from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, and other lines.

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Virgin Trains: end of an era (1997 - 2019). From Wolverhampton to Coventry via Birmingham New Street





The 22 year long West Coast Mainline franchise with Virgin Trains finally came to an end on Saturday 7th December 2019. The franchise started in March 1997, and has had many extensions since. Almost losing it to First in 2012. The franchise will be taken over by Avanti West Coast on Sunday 8th December 2019. On trains from Birmingham New Street to London Euston, and other lines.


A look at various Virgin Trains seen over the years between Wolverhampton and Coventry via Birmingham New Street. Either Class 390 Pendolino or Class 221 Super Voyager. The Super Voyager's either headed up to Glasgow or Edinburgh. Or up to Holyhead in Wales via Shrewsbury.

The Virgin Trains West Coast Franchise ran from the 9th March 1997 until the 7th December 2019. The Diesel Electric Multiple Units known as Super Voyager's were introduced in 2001. While the Electric Multiple Units known as Pendolino's came into service in 2002.

 

Wolverhampton Station

Seen at Wolverhampton Station during March 2019 was this Virgin Trains Super Voyager 221 117. It was going to London Euston. It's next stop would be Sandwell & Dudley. And would go via Birmingham New Street of course.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Wolverhampton" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Wolverhampton (March 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tipton Station

Seen passing Tipton Station (they don't stop here) during November 2017 was this Virgin Trains Super Voyager. At least 10 carriages from two 5 carriage Class 221 trains. Passing at speed.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains passing Tipton Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Tipton (Nov 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sandwell & Dudley Station

Seen in September 2016 at Sandwell & Dudley Station (near Oldbury) was this Virgin Trains Super Voyager. I caught this train back to Birmingham New Street. 10 carriages, but standing room only.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains at Sandwell & Dudley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Sandwell and Dudley (Sept 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Smethwick Galton Bridge Station

In November 2017 saw this Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino passing Smethwick Galton Bridge Station on the Low Level. I was at platform 3. You can use this station to interchange between the Snow Hill lines (high level) and Wolverhampton to Birmingham line (low level). But never with Virgin. In the past was London Midland, now West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains passing Smethwick Galton Bridge Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Smethwick Galton Bridge (Nov 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Smethwick Rolfe Street Station

Passing the mural at Smethwick Rolfe Street Station during November 2017 was this Virgin Trains Pendolino. It was heading towards Wolverhampton.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains passing Smethwick Rolfe Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Smethwick Rolfe Street (Nov 2017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham New Street Station

Seen during September 2012, at Birmingham New Street Station was this Virgin Trains Pendolino at Platform 1. Going past the block built for Network Rail. Which is near Navigation Street (and between Pinfold Street and Hill Street in the City Centre). Even in 2012 it seemed like the West Coast would be taken over by First, but it got delayed. And the bidding redone.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains at Birmingham New Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Bham New St (Sept 2012).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Stechford Station

Seen passing Stechford Station in October 2018 was this Virgin Trains Pendolino. 390 114. In the last few years many of the Pendolino's got a new red livery. That was until all the Pendolino's were stripped back to all white before Avanti West Coast takes over. This station is having a new footbridge built, and I returned well over a year later to this station. Was a temporary footbridge in use, while the new one is being built. Would assume the new footbridge will open sometime in 2020? The previous concrete footbridge that used to be here was old looking and tired. The new one will have lifts.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Stechford Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Stechford (Oct 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Marston Green Station

This Virgin Trains Pendolino was seen passing Marston Green Station during February 2015. This station is close to the Sheldon Country Park and the plane spotting area in the park. From the station you can probably only see the planes from the footbridges, and not sitting down on one of the benches. But you can here the planes from here though.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Marston Green" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Marston Green (Feb 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham International Station

Stopping at Birmingham International Station during February 2018 was this Virgin Trains Pendolino 390 043. I caught this train from Birmingham New Street. But switched trains on the day I travelled to Berkswell (having to wait for the next London Northwestern Railway train there). The Pendolino at 9 or 11 carriages was quite packed!

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Birmingham International" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Birmingham International (Feb 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Berkswell Station

Passing Berskwell Station at speed was this Virgin Trains Pendolino. Seen during February 2018. You could feel the rush of air as the fast trains went past you. So "Stand behind the yellow line". Or sit on the bench like I was doing. I have also been to Hampton-in-Arden Station back in October 2017, but didn't see any Virgin Trains in the time that I was at that station.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Berkswell Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Berkswell (Feb 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Coventry Station

We finish our journey from Wolverhampton at Coventry Station. Seen during May 2015 was this Virgin Trains Pendolino. Welcome to Coventry. This train was at the time named Virgin Champion. 390016. This train was going from London Euston to Edinburgh Waverley. I caught it to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Coventry Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Coventry (May 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Good luck to Avanti West Coast who took over the West Coast Mainline on Sunday 8th December 2019.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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50 passion points
Transport
15 Jul 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle (July 2019)

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Been meaning to return to Stourbridge for a while since I learned that they had put a new orange and purple livery on the Stourbridge Shuttle. This time got the train to Stourbridge Junction on the 13th July 2019. And I got West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle 139 001 for the first time (previous occasions I rode on 139 002 in 2013 and 2017). Was also new signs inside. Seats green.

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West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle (July 2019)





Been meaning to return to Stourbridge for a while since I learned that they had put a new orange and purple livery on the Stourbridge Shuttle. This time got the train to Stourbridge Junction on the 13th July 2019. And I got West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle 139 001 for the first time (previous occasions I rode on 139 002 in 2013 and 2017). Was also new signs inside. Seats green.


Previous post here: Stourbridge Shuttle in 2013 and 2017 (in the London Midland era). Since I've seen on Social Media that the Stourbridge Shuttle has had new West Midlands Railway orange and purple livery on their pair of trains I had to check it out. So got a train from my local station to Stourbridge Junction to ride the Shuttle again!

Stourbridge Junction

West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle arriving at Platform 1 at Stourbridge Junction Station on Saturday 13th July 2019. Moments before I had just got off my West Midlands Railway Class 172 train from Birmingham, before getting on this.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pulling into the platform.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A close up look at the new orange and purple livery. Still yellow at both ends.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later after I came back from Stourbridge Town Station took these with the newly painted orange and black paintwork at Stourbridge Junction.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Only a 4 minute wait until my train home to Birmingham. Many of the stations from the Jewellery line to the Worcester via Kidderminster line now have these colours, and some with new West Midlands Railway signs.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Stourbridge Town

I had just arrived at Stourbridge Town Station again, this time with West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle 139 001.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

No sooner had the last load of passengers got off, the next load got on!

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Buffer view from Stourbridge Interchange. The walk into the Town Centre as usual via the Bus Station and subways.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later after another look around Stourbridge, which this time included a look around Mary Stevens Park, a short walk later was back at Stourbridge Town to catch the Shuttle back to Stourbridge Junction!

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading round the bends. Inside they still have green seats, but have put up new purple signs to ready enjoy.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001 (July 2019) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Signs inside and out

External signs of West Midlands Railway Stourbridge Shuttle 139001. On the side this one says 39001. Pre Metro Operations Proudly operated for West Midlands Railway. First photo taken before I got on at Stourbridge Junction. Second photo later taken when I returned to Stourbridge Junction.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle Junction 139001 signs ext.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside when you sit down, there are new signs on both sides of the train.

A (cute) internet sensation. All the Stations: Geoff Marshall & Vicki Pipe went on the Stourbridge Shuttle in summer 2017.

Raise a glass (or two). Stourbridge has produced glass since the early 1600s.

Leaving a legacy to our town. Ernest Stevens a manufacturer. He gifted parks to the town.

A local Lion roars across the pond. The first ever steam locomotive to run in the USA was the 'Stourbridge Lion'.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle internal signs 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some more signs I saw inside.

Welcome to the Stourbridge Shuttle. Enjoy the ride on the Stourbridge branch line.

Thanks for travelling on the Stourbridge Shuttle. They hope you enjoyed the ride.

We're small but mighty. Connection Junction to Town is only 3/4 mile long, and is believed to be the shortest passenger branch line in Europe.

We like to move it, move it. The small little Shuttle is an ingenious little train.

dndimg alt="WMR Stourbridge Shuttle 139001" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR Stourbridge Shuttle internal signs 2.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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40 passion points
Transport
05 Jun 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Stourbridge Shuttle in 2013 and 2017 (in the London Midland era)

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Back in the London Midland days, I went on the Stourbridge Shuttle originally in April 2013. On 139 002. The last time I rode it was was during November 2017. This short branch line goes between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. They have just had a new West Midlands Railway livery done, so might be time to return to Stourbridge once again!

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Stourbridge Shuttle in 2013 and 2017 (in the London Midland era)





Back in the London Midland days, I went on the Stourbridge Shuttle originally in April 2013. On 139 002. The last time I rode it was was during November 2017. This short branch line goes between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. They have just had a new West Midlands Railway livery done, so might be time to return to Stourbridge once again!


I have seen photos on social media of the Stourbridge Shuttle in it's new orange and purple West Midlands Railway livery (inside and out), so thought I'd share (or re-share if you've seen my photos before) of the Stourbridge Shuttle during my past visits in 2013 and 2017 to Stourbridge (in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley).

Stourbridge Junction

You can get a train on the Snow Hill lines towards Stourbridge Junction (a Class 172) and change there to head the short distance to Stourbridge Town. I first travelled to Stourbridge during April 2013. And on the day I went it was London Midland 139 002. Seen here arriving from Stourbridge Town.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was years before All The Stations (Geoff Marshall & Vicki Pipe on YouTube) and Great British Railway Journeys (Michael Portillo) travelled there, so it had yet to be called "The Cuttest Train!".

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At the time in the London Midland Livery it was known as the London Midland Stourbridge Shuttle.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen waiting at Stourbridge Junction before heading back to Stourbridge Town.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A few years later I ended up getting the no 9 bus all the way to Stourbridge during November 2017. And I decided to get the train back to Birmingham. And that gave me another chance to ride the Stourbridge Shuttle back from Stourbridge Town to Stourbridge Junction! Was 139 002 again! I've never been on 139 001.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Junction (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Stourbridge Town

Getting off the Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town Station during my visit of April 2013 (to start my look around the town for the first time). The journey doesn't take that long from Stourbridge Junction, and I would later return here to return to Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It is one of two Class 139 Parry People Movers operating on the line. 139 002. Seen at the time in London Midland green, black, white and yellow. It would have that livery until 2019, when it was changed into the orange and purple West Midlands Railway livery (yet to see it myself like that). The London Midland name was removed in late 2017 when the West Midlands rail franchise changed hands.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view of the "cute" little train from the other side of the buffer. Stourbridge Interchange is nearby, where you can change onto the buses from National Express West Midlands. A subway takes passengers into Stourbridge Town Centre.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was after my day out in Stourbridge Town Centre in April 2013, ready to catch the Stourbridge Shuttle back to Stourbridge Junction from Stourbridge Town. The platform here is quite short.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now a look at the interiors, when they were in London Midland colours!

On board the Stourbridge Shuttle in April 2013 arriving at Stourbridge Town. This little train even has room for a passengers bike!

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle interior" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town interiors (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was when I got back on the Stourbridge Shuttle for the ride back to Stourbridge Town, so an opportunity to get shots of the interior while empty!

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle interior" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town interiors (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The other side, drivers cab at both ends.

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle interior" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town interiors (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The only change by November 2017 was those two new chairs, otherwise unchanged (until the West Midlands Railway interior livery was applied in 2019).

dndimg alt="Stourbridge Shuttle interior" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Stourbridge Shuttle at Stourbridge Town interiors (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Am not sure yet when I will have time to travel back to Stourbridge to ride the Stourbridge Shuttle again in it's new West Midlands Railway guise, but hopefully it will be sooner rather than later? I can catch my local train all the way to Stourbridge Junction and change like I did over 6 years ago! (2 years ago was just one way back to Birmingham).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

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40 passion points
Transport
06 May 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Class 165 trains with Chiltern Railways, between Stratford-upon-Avon / Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street

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Here we will take a look at the slowest trains on the Chiltern Railways network, as seen in the West Midlands region. From Birmingham Moor Street to Leamington Spa, and also at Stratford-upon-Avon. They stop at stations such as Lapworth and Hatton, as well as Warwick, Solihull and Dorridge (not in that order).

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Class 165 trains with Chiltern Railways, between Stratford-upon-Avon / Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street





Here we will take a look at the slowest trains on the Chiltern Railways network, as seen in the West Midlands region. From Birmingham Moor Street to Leamington Spa, and also at Stratford-upon-Avon. They stop at stations such as Lapworth and Hatton, as well as Warwick, Solihull and Dorridge (not in that order).


The Class 165 trains with Chiltern Railways are operated on their lines from London Marylebone towards Leamington Spa, Birmingham Moor Street and also Stratford-upon-Avon. They were built between 1990 and 1992 originally for Network SouthEast. They were refurbished between 2003 and 2005. With Chiltern they are known as Chiltern Turbos.

Seen at Stratford-upon-Avon Station during January 2013 was Chiltern Railways 165035. Passengers heading to or from London Marylebone can get the train from or to here. Tourists can come up from London to experience the tourist attractions in Stratford-upon-Avon, including Shakespeare's Birthplace, and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre etc.

dndimg alt="165035 at Stratford-upon-Avon" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165035 Chiltern Railways Stratford upon Avon.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In October 2011 at Leamington Spa Station was Chiltern Railways 165018. It was heading towards Stratford-upon-Avon. This was one of my earliest photos of a Class 165 train, but I would take some more at London Marylebone Station during November 2011.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165018 at Leamington Spa Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/168018 Chiltern Railways Leamington Spa.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen in May 2016 stopping at Warwick Station was Chiltern Railways 165023. It was heading to Leamington Spa from Birmingham Moor Street. I later got this train back to Solihull, and would ride it again a year latter when I went to Hatton. That weekend was the Wembley Special timetable, as the FA Cup Final was on that Sunday.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165023 at Warwick Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165023 Chiltern Railways Warwick.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At Warwick Parkway Station after a walk up the Grand Union Canal, from Warwick Station, during April 2019. I found that the pair of Class 165's that pass this station don't stop here. such as Chiltern Railways 165005 heading up to Birmingham Moor Street. But the Class 168 Clubman's usually stop here between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone!

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165005 passing Warwick Parkway Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165005 Chiltern Railways Warwick Parkway.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For another Grand Union Canal walk during March 2017, up the Hatton Locks, I got Chiltern Railways 165023 from Solihull to Hatton Station. After a walk around the Hatton area, then heading up past the Hatton Locks of the Grand Union Canal, I returned to Hatton Station. After a wait of around an hour on a Sunday afternoon (having just missed the last train), I would get 165023 again back to Solihull.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165023 at Hatton Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165023 Chiltern Railways Hatton.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

My first visit to Dorridge by train was during January 2017. Seen at Dorridge Station was Chiltern Railways 165005. I was waiting for a London Midland train back to Acocks Green, but was more convenient to get this back to Solihull instead (and then get a bus from Solihull).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165005 at Dorridge Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165005 Chiltern Railways Dorridge.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not stopping at Widney Manor Station during February 2013 was Chiltern Railways 165005. This station in Solihull is close to the M42 motorway, and near the number 5 bus route. Chiltern trains rarely stop here apart from rare evenings in the rush hour. Widney Manor Golf Club and the River Blythe are nearby to this station.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165005 passing Widney Manor Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165005 Chiltern Railways Widney Manor.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I mostly get Chiltern Railways trains from Solihull Station, my local station on the line down to London Marylebone, but in recent years I have been going to the intermediate stops in the West Midlands and Warwickshire! Chiltern Railways 165007 seen during May 2013, stopping at Solihull before resuming it's journey to Leamington Spa. Is this James Bond 007's train of choice?

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165007 at Solihull Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165007 Chiltern Railways Solihull.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I saw Chiltern Railways 165005 passing Acocks Green Station during January 2017. It was heading from Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street. I was waiting for my London Midland train down to Dorridge that day. I later caught this train from Dorridge back to Solihull, rather than wait for another Class 172 train back to Acocks Green!

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165005 passing Acocks Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165005 Chiltern Railways Acocks Green.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I saw Chiltern Railways 165020 passing Tyseley Station during December 2013. It was heading non-stop towards Leamington Spa, with it's next stop being Solihull. At the time I was doing the unusual journey from Hall Green to Solihull via Tyseley. I would normally get the bus down to Solihull. In terms of Tyseley I can get the 4 or 4A bus there on the Warwick Road (they were previously the no 37 bus). I saw this train again a few hours later at Solihull Station. Seen behind is the Tyseley Energy from Waste Plant at the Tyseley Tip (household and recycling centre for south east Birmingham). You normally see the chimney pumping out fumes!

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165005 passing Tyseley Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165020 Chiltern Railways Tyseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen at platform 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station during February 2014 was Chiltern Railways 165019. I had just got off this train, having ridden it from Solihull. The train headed over the Bordesley Viaduct quite slowly! These trains are small, but quite comfortable to ride.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways 165019 at Birmingham Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/165019 Chiltern Railways Birmingham Moor Street.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I normally only see Class 168's or Class 172's over at Birmingham Snow Hill, so will stop here for now with the Class 165 trains.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

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40 passion points
Transport
01 Apr 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The Class 323 EMU's on the Cross City Line: Lichfield via Birmingham New Street to Redditch or Bromsgrove

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The Class 323 is one of my favourite trains to ride on in Birmingham. Here we will look at this Electrical Multiple Unit from Lichfield Trent Valley, via Birmingham New Street, down to Redditch. And now a newly opened extension to Bromsgrove! The Cross City South includes the line down beyond Longbridge. Cross City North beyond Sutton Coldfield. Staffordshire to Worcestershire.

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The Class 323 EMU's on the Cross City Line: Lichfield via Birmingham New Street to Redditch or Bromsgrove





The Class 323 is one of my favourite trains to ride on in Birmingham. Here we will look at this Electrical Multiple Unit from Lichfield Trent Valley, via Birmingham New Street, down to Redditch. And now a newly opened extension to Bromsgrove! The Cross City South includes the line down beyond Longbridge. Cross City North beyond Sutton Coldfield. Staffordshire to Worcestershire.


Cross City Line

The Cross City Line opened in 1978. It was extended to Redditch in 1980 and to Lichfield Trent Valley in 1988. The service was extended to Bromsgrove by 2018. The route was electrified in the 1990s, being completed by 1993. The Class 323 Electric Multiple Units first introduced on the service around 1994. After the creation of the Franchising system, Central Trains ran the Cross City line from 1997 to 2007, then London Midland from 2007 to 2017. And now West Midlands Railway from late 2017 to present.

 

Lichfield Trent Valley Station

One of my first rides on the Cross City Line was to Lichfield Trent Valley during early January 2012. The redevelopment of Birmingham New Street Station was in it's earliest years, and I got a train up from Kings Norton. London Midland 323214 was my ride to Lichfield that day. The current northern end of the line / terminus, on the High Level. The Low Level is on the West Coast Main Line, between London Euston and Crewe (back then London Midland, now London Northwestern Railway). You would see non-stopping Virgin Trains services passing there! In Staffordshire.

dndimg alt="Lichfield Trent Valley - London Midland 323214" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lichfield Trent Valley London Midland 323214.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Lichfield City Station

I have visited Lichfield City Station twice. The first time in January 2012 coming back from my day out in Lichfield. The second time for a return visit during April 2016. The only Class 323 exterior I took there was in 2012. London Midland 323207 was my train back to Kings Norton.

dndimg alt="Lichfield City Station - London Midland 323207" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lichfield City London Midland 323207.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We will next skip a few stations until Four Oaks (I have not got off at the stations in between).

Four Oaks Station

A visit to Four Oaks in Sutton Coldfield during October 2018. By then many of the Class 323 trains under West Midlands Railway were in a orange and white livery. I caught this train West Midlands Railway 323 204 from Birmingham New Street. Mere Green was in walking distance of the station with a new shopping centre. This was platform 3 where the service terminated, it would have waited a while before heading back to Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Four Oaks Station - West Midlands Railway 323204" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Four Oaks West Midlands Railway 323204.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sutton Coldfield Station

My first visit to Sutton Coldfield by train was during January 2017. Seen arriving at the station was London Midland 323211 on it's way to Lichfield Trent Valley (the destination display doesn't come out too well in photos). I got the train to Sutton Coldfield again during August 2017 while on the Big Sleuth hunt (I didn't go up for the Big Hoot in 2015, as I hadn't visited Sutton Coldfield with my camera at that time). It's also now possible to get the X4 or X5 buses up to Sutton Coldfield instead (much longer journey though). You can see planes coming into land at Birmingham Airport from here.

dndimg alt="Sutton Coldfield Station - London Midland 323211" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sutton Coldfield London Midland 323211.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

While I've seen Wylde Green Station, I've not waited to catch a train from there. I almost went down there on my second rail visit to Sutton Coldfield, but ended up getting a bus back to Sutton Coldfield Town Centre, after finding some more Big Sleuth bears in August 2017. Chester Road in Erdington next.

Chester Road Station

My first visit to Erdington by train was during May 2014, mainly to check out the Josiah Mason bust for the first time. So I got the Cross City line up to Chester Road. My more recent second visit was in December 2018. I had got the 11A Outer Circle bus to Erdington, then walked up the High Street, then up Orphanage Road towards the Josiah Mason bust (to see it for a second time). After that I walked up Chester Road to the station. I caught West Midlands Railway 323221 back to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Chester Road Station - West Midlands Railway 323221" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chester Road West Midlands Railway 323221.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Erdington Station

My May 2014 visit to Erdington that started at Chester Road ended up at Erdington Station. Seen here was London Midland 323207 on it's way to Lichfield Trent Valley. This station is a good place to see planes taking off from Birmingham Airport! Something else other than trains while waiting for my train back to Birmingham New Street.

dndimg alt="Erdington Station - London Midland 323207" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Erdington London Midland 323207.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Gravelly Hill Station

Headed to Gravelly Hill during April 2015, to walk under Spaghetti Junction. My train back to Birmingham New Street had London Midland 323212 at the front (seen below in the photo) and 323243 (which I got on). It's always nice to ride on the train between Gravelly Hill and Aston, below the concrete lanes of Spaghetti Junction, more unique than going in a car! Salford Junction is also nearby, a junction of several canals.

dndimg alt="Gravelly Hill Station - London Midland 323212" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gravelly Hill London Midland 323212.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Aston Station

I've been to Aston Station several times over the years. First got off there in 2012. I've also been there in 2016 and 2017. The line to Walsall on the Chase Line diverts to the left, while the line to Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield goes to the right. On New Years Day 2016, I got London Midland 323208 from Birmingham New Street to Aston. This train was going to Lichfield Trent Valley.

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

Duddeston Station

My first visit to the Birmingham Museums Collections Centre included a stop off at Duddeston on London Midland 323218, which I caught from Kings Norton, in May 2012. Back then I wasn't comfortable with starting at Birmingham New Street, and I used to get the 11C bus to Kings Norton (it was also before I figured out you could buy a ticket on the Snow Hill lines to a destination on another line). Dollman Street is just round the corner from here. Before I left the station, I checked out the face art sculptures on the platform.

dndimg alt="Duddeston Station - London Midland 323218" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Duddeston London Midland 323218.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Cross City North is done above, now for Birmingham New Street, before we explore Cross City South!

Birmingham New Street Station

Many trips on the Cross City line normally start for me from Birmingham New Street, so I don't always take photos of the Class 323 there! I've been taking photos of these trains there since about 2010. I've watched the station transform from 2010 to 2015, and have continued to use it since it's been completed! I first saw a Class 323 in West Midlands Railway orange and white at Bournville, where I caught this train. West Midlands Railway 323204 seen at Birmingham New Street during August 2018. It stopped at platform 8a.

dndimg alt="Birmingham New Street Station - West Midlands Railway 323204" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham New Street West Midlands Railway 323204.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Five Ways Station

Not a brilliant photo, but a London Midland Class 323 seen at Five Ways station during January 2015 from Bath Row. It is also possible to see the station from Islington Row Middleway, or from the steps down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. I did once try out using this staiton during April 2015. But didn't get any photos of any Class 323's while I was there. I did get a Class 170, but the only Class 323 I took was going into the tunnel and I had just missed it!

dndimg alt="Five Ways Station - London Midland Class 323" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Five Ways London Midland Class 323.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

University Station

Went to University Station during July 2017 while on the Big Sleuth hunt. Was several bears to be found around the University of Birmingham. Seen at the station was London Midland 323208. I travelled from Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street to University that day! Was also bears at Resorts World. I previously tried to use the station in March 2012 to go to Tamworth, but ended up catching another Cross City train to New Street, and catching a Cross Country train from New Street to Tamworth (back then). Cross Country do stop at University though!

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

Selly Oak Station

The West Midlands railway franchise transferred over from London Midland to West Midlands Railway during December 2017. Here was West Midlands Railway 323204 at a snowy Selly Oak. The first time I've used the station. I mostly get the bus to and from Selly Oak! 323221 was at the other end. Loads of delays that day, probably due to the snow! Some trains were cancelled due to the weather. Not really the best day to try out Selly Oak Station!

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Station - West Midlands Railway 323204" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak West Midlands Railway 323204.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bournville Station

This station is next to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and is your stop for Cadbury World. Seen in October 2011 was London Midland 323215. This was before I started using the Cross City Line (from 2012 onwards). This ramp leads from the Mary Vale Road bridge, and goes down to the towpath of the canal, as well as to the station. I later actually used the station in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

dndimg alt="Bournville Station - London Midland 323215" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bournville London Midland 323215.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Kings Norton Station

Before I was comfortable with getting trains from Birmingham New Street, I used to get them from Kings Norton. Seen arriving here was London Midland 323212 during April 2012. Which I got to Longbridge. Platform 4, as platforms 2 and 3 are abandoned. Platform 1 is for trains to Birmingham and Sutton Coldfield. Other fast trains pass through here too!

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Station - London Midland 323212" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton London Midland 323212.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Northfield Station

I have used Northfield Station a few times in my travels, but not really taken a photo of a Class 323 from the platform. This one of a West Midlands Railway Class 323 in orange and white was seen from another train during November 2018.

dndimg alt="Northfield Station - West Midlands Railway Class 323" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Northfield West Midlands Railway Class 323.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Longbridge Station

An ideal station to get to, to explore the new Longbridge Town Centre. I've been to this station many times. Seen opposite was London Midland 323212 during April 2012, which I'd earlier got down to Longbridge. Before the extension to Bromsgrove this was a terminus for most trains, with at least one an hour going to Redditch. The station building here is now being redeveloped. It's the last station in Birmingham on the line to the south. The last four below are all in Worcestershire.

dndimg alt="Longbridge Station - London Midland 323212" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Longbridge London Midland 323212.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Barnt Green Station

At Barnt Green the lines splits. One to Redditch, the other to Bromsgrove and Worcester. On the Cross City line, the trains stop at Barnt Green for Redditch, as it curves to the left.  I got London Midland 323217 from Birmingham New Street. I got off here, but the train was going to Redditch. On my second visit during April 2017 I went to the Lickey Hills Country Park. A long hard walk up the hill (I walked back to the station via the roads nearby).

dndimg alt="Barnt Green Station - London Midland 323217" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Barnt Green London Midland 323217.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Alvechurch Station

A visit to Alvechurch in Worcestershire during February 2016. The station now has two platforms where as before it used to have one. London Midland 323219. My train back to Birmingham New Street,

dndimg alt="Alvechurch Station - London Midland 323219" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Alvechurch London Midland 323219.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Redditch Station

I first got a train to Redditch during January 2013. I arrived on London Midland 323210. A single platform station it is the current end of the line. There is an old railway tunnel nearby with street art. My second visit in November 2017 was before the end of the London Midland franchise.

dndimg alt="Redditch Station - London Midland 323210" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Redditch London Midland 323210.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Bromsgrove Station

I've been to Bromsgrove 3 times. First in 2013 to the old station, second in 2016 to the new station. In November 2018 I returned again after electrification to Bromsgrove was complete and the Cross City line extended services from Longbridge. Seen here was West Midlands Railway 323216. In orange and white, my ride back to Birmingham New Street. It did not stop at Barnt Green.

dndimg alt="Bromsgrove Station - West Midlands Railway 323216" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bromsgrove West Midlands Railway 323216.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

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40 passion points
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25 Mar 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Trains seen at Birmingham Moor Street Station through the decade

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A selection of photos of the trains that usually stop (or used to stop) at Birmingham Moor Street Station. Chiltern Railways operates the station and it has been restored to an Edwardian style in the mid 2000s. Central Trains, then London Midland and now West Midlands Railway also had / have services that stop here from Warwickshire and Worcestershire!

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Trains seen at Birmingham Moor Street Station through the decade





A selection of photos of the trains that usually stop (or used to stop) at Birmingham Moor Street Station. Chiltern Railways operates the station and it has been restored to an Edwardian style in the mid 2000s. Central Trains, then London Midland and now West Midlands Railway also had / have services that stop here from Warwickshire and Worcestershire!


Seen at platform 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station, during November 2011 was Chiltern Railways 168108. With Selfridges and the Rotunda to the left, and the Pavilions straight ahead (that would close in 2016 and Primark will open there from April 2019). Platform 3 and 4 were reconnected in late 2010 for services to London Marylebone and Leamington Spa.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

London Midland 172 342 was at platform 2, a train I had just got off at during November 2011. The Class 172's were introduced by London Midland to replace the old Class 150's (which later went to other rail franchises around the country).

dndimg alt="London Midland Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading up platform 3 towards the ticket gates in the concourse. Chiltern Railways 168214 was on the left. You usually see timetable artwork from local schools on the buildings around the station. A foggy day during November 2012. This train was going to Leamington Spa.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was August 2013 when I saw Chiltern Railways 165019 and 67017 at platform 3 an 4 respectfully. This time round, the Class 165 was going to Leamington Spa. while the Class 67 with the Silver Service on the Mainline to London Marylebone. Chiltern inherited them from the short lived Wrexham & Shropshire who used to have trains from Wrexham to Marylebone. These were later replaced by the Class 68's.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You would regulary see a pair of Chiltern Railways trains at platform 3 and 4. Usually a Class 168 and / or a Class 165. Seen here during February 2014 was Chiltern Railways 168003 and 165019. The train on the left was probably bound for London Marylebone, while the one on the right for Leamington Spa.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Early January 2016 and my first sighting of a Class 68 at Moor Street Station. Chiltern Railways 68009 Titan leading the Silver Service on the Chiltern Mainline down to London Marylebone. These look cooler than the old Class 67's (which they no longer use). This one was owned by Direct Rail Services. Was at platform 3.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Oxford Flyer which was Chiltern Railways 68010 seen in January 2017. Named as such after Chiltern introduced a new service from London Marylebone to Oxford (you can't get a direct train from Moor Street to Oxford without changing at Banbury, or perhaps Bicester North).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Direct Rail Services Class 68. This one Chiltern Railways 68008 Avenger at platform 4 during January 2017. This reminds me a bit of (spoiler alert) the scene in Captain Marvel when Nick Fury names the Avengers!

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A view from Moor Street Car Park, as a West Midlands Railway Class 172 train is seen departing Moor Street Station over the Bordesley Viaduct in Digbeth. Seen March 2018. It was either on the line to Dorridge, or the line to Stratford-upon-Avon via Whitlocks End. It was the Sunday that the previous St Patrick's Day Parade was held.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Despite the restoration of platform's 3 and 4, Chiltern Railways still uses Birmingham Snow Hill Station (and have occasional services to / from Kidderminster and back to / from London Marylebone during rush hour). Chiltern Railways 168003 seen during March 2018 stops at platform 2, before heading through the Snow Hill Tunnel for it's final stop at Snow Hill Station (usually at platform 2). Selfridges and the Rotunda in view from where I was at platform 1. While Primark would have another year of construction to go.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Railways Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (16).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

March 2018 again and a pair of West Midlands Railway trains still in the old London Midland green. 170633 waiting to head through the Snow Hill Tunnel, towards Worcester and 172 345 waiting to depart for Dorridge. Primark development behind, had 11 months to go!

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (17).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Railway took over from London Midland in December 2017. The Class 172/3's have in 2018 / 2019 been recoloured orange and purple. Seen at platform 2 during October 2018 was West Midlands Railway 172 338. I had just got off this train from the Shakespeare Line. 3 trains an hour Monday to Saturday, 1 train an hour on Sunday (the same I think for both the Shakespeare line and Dorridge line, although I could be wrong).

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (18).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Railway 172 332 seen in the new orange and purple livery seen at platform 2 during November 2018. Inside (for now) they are still green, but hopefully West Midlands Railway will change the maquettes on the seats soon!

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway Moor Street Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham Moor Street Station (19).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

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40 passion points
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16 Feb 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

The Class 153 single carriage Sprinters

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You might sometimes see the Class 153 single carriage Sprinter's around the West Midlands railway network attached to the back of the Class 170 Turbostar trains. Sometimes on the Birmingham to Hereford line or the Birmingham to Rugeley Trent Valley line. On there own they were also on the branch lines out of Coventry (to Nuneaton or Leamington Spa). Also been on the Snow Hill lines.

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The Class 153 single carriage Sprinters





You might sometimes see the Class 153 single carriage Sprinter's around the West Midlands railway network attached to the back of the Class 170 Turbostar trains. Sometimes on the Birmingham to Hereford line or the Birmingham to Rugeley Trent Valley line. On there own they were also on the branch lines out of Coventry (to Nuneaton or Leamington Spa). Also been on the Snow Hill lines.


Class 153

The Class 153 also known as the Super Sprinter are a single carriage diesel multiple unit train. They were built to be used on branch lines or rural lines were the number of passengers was not expected to be very high. They were built in 1987-88 and were converted in 1991-92. They have been used on many branch lines across the Midlands. These units could be attached to other DMU's such as the Class 150, and later with the Class 170. There is currently 10 Class 153's with West Midlands Railway (previously with London Midland and before that Central Trains).

 

Starting off with the Class 153's I saw attached to Class 170's. Some I even travelled on (although I may have got on board the Class 170 instead!).

 

I was at Shirley Station in April 2017 to check out the newly completed road bridge on Haslucks Green Road. When London Midland 153371 and 170633 arrived (was expecting the usual Class 172). There was about another 8 months before the old London Midland franchise would end and West Midlands Railway would start (around December 2017). This train was heading towards Worcester Foregate Street. I got on board the back carriage of 170633 and rode the train to Birmingham Moor Street.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 153371 at Shirley Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway 153371 at Shirley Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I saw Arriva Trains Wales 153323 at Wolverhampton Station during October 2013 (I was on a train from Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street for a weekend). Arriva had the Wales franchise from 2003 to 2018. They used to run trains between Birmingham International and Holyhead in Wales via Wrexham Central. Transport for Wales took over the Wales franchise from October 2018.

dndimg alt="Arriva Trains Wales 153323 seen at Wolverhampton Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Arriva Trains Wales 153323 at Wolverhampton Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At Aston Station I expected to see / catch the usual Class 323 trains from this station. Heading to Perry Barr in August 2012, I got off my Cross City line train here, and waited for a train on the Chase Line. 153366 arrived with a Class 170 at the back. London Midland (and now West Midlands Railway) regularly have combinations of Class 153's with Class 170's. In the north of Birmingham, usually on the Chase Line to Walsall and beyond to Rugeley Trent Valley. The line was only electrified as far as Walsall. But for many years Network Rail has been electrifying the line towards Rugeley. So it meant that only diesel trains could go beyond Walsall. It's possible that electric trains could run on the line to Rugeley from about May 2019.

dndimg alt="London Midland 153366 at Aston Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 153366 at Aston Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In April 2018 I headed up on the train to Staffordshire, and got off at Hednesford. I walked down to Cannock. Later when I went back to Cannock Station I got this train back to Birmingham New Street. West Midlands Railway 153364 and 170513 arrived from Rugeley Trent Valley. It took the normal route via Perry Barr and Aston. My earlier train that day went the alternate route on the line that goes from Winson Green via Handsworth to rejoin the line at Perry Barr. Electrification of the Chase line was well under way at the time.

dndimg alt="West Midlands 153364 at Cannock Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway 153364 Cannock Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The 11th December 2017 was the launch day of the new West Midlands Railway, and the city was full of snow! After a walk up to the Jewellery Quarter through the white stuff, I went to Jewellery Quarter Station to catch a train home. But West Midlands Railway 170634 and 153334 was only going as far as Birmingham Snow Hill Station due to various delays due to the weather! I had only seen 153334 a few days early at Bedworth Station (which was my last journey under London Midland). That day was dry, but it had snowed on the 10th December 2017! Chiltern Railways 168106 was seen at platform 2.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 153334 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway 153334 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now to the branch lines. Starting with the Nuneaton to Coventry Branch line that goes via Bedworth. And second the branch line from Coventry to Leamington Spa via Kenilworth (that opened in 2018 after a few delays).

I visited Nuneaton during May 2015, having arrived there on the Cross Country line that goes through the town from Birmingham New Street and onto the likes of Leicester etc. Coming back to Birmingham, I thought I'd try a ride on the Nuneaton to Coventry branch line. At Nuneaton Station was London Midland 153354. The train would pass the new stations under construction (at the time) as well as Bedworth (I would go there in late 2017 when the London Midland franchise ended).

dndimg alt="London Midland 153354 at Nuneaton Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 153354 at Nuneaton Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On the last ever day that London Midland operated their franchise in the West Midlands, on the 9th December 2017, I headed to Bedworth. I got London Midland 153334 and 153354 from Coventry to Bedworth Station. Later after I explored the town centre, I got the same train back on the opposite platform. Here (in the below photo), I had just got off the train from Coventry, and it was heading onto Nuneaton. By then all the new stations on the line including Coventry Arena were open. I was thinking ahead to the opening of Kenilworth Station, which should have opened the next day, but was delayed until May 2018!

dndimg alt="London Midland 153334 and 153354 at Bedworth Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 153334 and 153354 at Bedworth Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I had previously got a Class 153 from Nuneaton to Coventry Station back in May 2015. I saw another Class 153 at Coventry during October 2017, when I headed to the city to walk to the Coventry Canal Basin. London Midland 153375 was waiting at one of the platforms waiting to return to Nuneaton. That day I did observe Cross Country Voyager's heading on the branch line to Leamington Spa. In fact I tried the branch line early in March 2018, to see a glimpse of the new Kenilworth Station. The Cross Country Super Voyager I travelled on was packed, but I got a window seat, and I caught glimpses of the new Kenilworth Station. I would have to wait until May 2018 before travelling to Kenilworth by train!

dndimg alt="London Midland 153375 at Coventry Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 153375 at Coventry Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The new Kenilworth Station opened at the end of April 2018. I visited the station and the town on the 3rd May 2018. I caught West Midlands Railway 153364 from Leamington Spa (having earlier got a train from Solihull to Leamington Spa with Chiltern Railways). The station should have opened on the 10th December 2017 (the first day of operation for West Midlands Railway), but a series of delays meant it didn't open until the spring. There is only one platform at the new station. I later got the same train back towards Leamington Spa from the same platform. You can use this station if you want to visit Kenilworth Castle.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 153364 at Kenilworth Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway 153364 at Kenilworth Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Having got off my Chiltern Railways train from Solihull at Leamington Spa Station platform 3, I only had to walk a short distance to platform 4, to await a train on the Leamington Spa to Coventry branch line that had opened to the public for service days earlier. My visit was on the 3rd May 2018. West Midlands Railway 153364 would take me to Kenilworth. And I would later get it back to Leamington Spa on the way back to the West Midlands. The only difference between getting a train from Coventry to Leamington Spa with Cross Country, and West Midlands Railway, is that Cross Country would stop at platform 3 (and continue on south), while West Midlands Railway would terminate at platform 4. On both occasions, I had to walk down the steps to the subway, and head to the platform to get my Chiltern Railways train back to Solihull.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway 153364 at Leamington Spa Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway 153364 at Leamington Spa Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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70 passion points
Transport
10 Feb 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Class 150's: Diesel trains formerly on the Snow Hill lines

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The Class 150 diesel multiple unit trains used to be on the Snow Hill lines until around 2011. Most have since gone to other railway franchises such as Great Western Railway. When they were in the Midlands they were used by Regional Railways until 1997, Central Trains from 1997 to 2007 then London Midland from 2007 to 2011. A least one is still owned by West Midlands Railway now.

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Class 150's: Diesel trains formerly on the Snow Hill lines





The Class 150 diesel multiple unit trains used to be on the Snow Hill lines until around 2011. Most have since gone to other railway franchises such as Great Western Railway. When they were in the Midlands they were used by Regional Railways until 1997, Central Trains from 1997 to 2007 then London Midland from 2007 to 2011. A least one is still owned by West Midlands Railway now.


Class 150

These Sprinter Diesel multiple units were built between 1984 and 1987. In the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire, they were used on the Snow Hill lines from at least 1987 until they were replaced in 2011 by the then new Class 172 Turbostar DMU's. The then West Midlands franchise operator London Midland kept around 3 of the old Class 150's after 2011 (they are still in current franchise operator West Midlands Railway who took over in late 2017.

Seen at Shirley Station during late June 2010 was London Midland 150016. It was heading for Stourbridge Junction. This view was from the old Haslucks Green Road bridge. That bridge was replaced and rebuilt during 2017. The footbridge in this photo was also later replaced. The new footbridge was built at the other end of the station in 2014. Shirley Station is quite a way away from the Stratford Road in Shirley, and is reachable from there now with the no 49 bus.

dndimg alt="London Midland 150016 at Shirley Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 150016 at Shirley Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

My second photography trip to Stratford-upon-Avon was during September 2010. I had just got off London Midland 150013, a semi-fast train that skipped the minor stops between Whitlocks End and Stratford-upon-Avon Station. This view was from the Alcester Road bridge in the town. Now the end of the line, it used to go beyond here to Honeybourne, and it is hoped that the 9 mile stretch would one day be restored. For now, most services that start at Stratford go to at least Stourbridge Junction, or beyond towards Kidderminster or Worcester Foregate Street (via Birmingham Snow Hill).

dndimg alt="London Midland 150013 at Stratford-upon-Avon Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 150013 at Stratford upon Avon Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

My first time up to the bridge near Livery Street and Northwood Street (in the Jewellery Quarter) was in August 2011. From here (at the time) you could see Two Snowhill beginning construction (after delays of several years). Seen heading past St Paul's Tram Stop was London Midland 150101 heading into Birmingham Snow Hill Station. After leaving London Midland later in 2011, this train and other 150/1's transferred up to Northern Rail. Around 4 years after the franchise had transferred from Central Trains to London Midland, most of the trains on the Snow Hill lines still had (at the time) the old Central Trains lime green livery.

dndimg alt="London Midland 150101 approaching Birmingham Snow Hill Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 150101 approaching Birmingham Snow Hill Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was September 2011, and I was heading to Hall Green Station to get the train into Birmingham. And I was hoping to see or catch one of the (then) brand new Class 172 DMU's. But London Midland still had the Class 150's on the Shakespeare line. This was the 10:08 (which I missed). After a 20 minute wait, I caught the next train the 10:28 into Birmingham. It would be another 2 months (November 2011) before I would catch a new Class 172 for the first time to Birmingham Moor Street or Snow Hill.

dndimg alt="London Midland Class 150 at Hall Green Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland Class 150 at Hall Green Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from Kings Norton Station, on the Cross City line. I was standing at platform 4 during April 2012, waiting to go to Longbridge. While one of London Midland's Class 150 trains that they kept, 150109 was seen passing by the abandoned platform 2. Still in the old Central Trains livery. London Midland would later change it into their own green livery, and today it is still part of current franchise operator West Midlands Railways's fleet! This train was slowly heading south towards Hereford. An American man on the platform was chatting to me, and said that he had never seen a train like that before!

dndimg alt="London Midland 150109 seen passing Kings Norton Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland 150109 passing Kings Norton Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting to the more recent years and December 2017, the last month of operation under London Midland. I went up to Lye Station near Stourbridge in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley for a photo walk of the town. When I got back to the station, was suprised to see a convoy of a mixture of London Midland DMU's heading towards Stourbridge Junction (or onto Worcester). By then, London Midland's 3 Class 150 DMU's was in their green livery. Seen here behind a Class 170. This convoy had one Class 172, two Class 170's and this one Class 150 (pictured).

dndimg alt="London Midland Class 150 passing through Lye Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/London Midland Class 150 passing through Lye Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

My most recent sighting of a Class 150 in the West Midlands was when I caught a glimpse of it passing through Stechford Station during early January 2018. Now operated by West Midlands Railway, this was either 150107 or 150109. It was probably heading down towards the Bedford line (which is now operated by London Northwestern Railway). From here you expect to see the Class 350 EMU's on the West Coast Mainline or Virgin Trains Class 390 Pendolino's (those don't stop here). This view was from the Station Road bridge.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway Class 150 passing through Stechford Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/West Midlands Railway Class 150 passing Stechford Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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70 passion points
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30 Nov 2018 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Special liveries on Chiltern Railways and Virgin Trains seen in Birmingham

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This is not a heritage trains post, more showing photos of the special liveries Chiltern Railways and Virgin Trains did to some of their trains around the Christmas period and at other times of the year. Chiltern Railways seen at Birmingham Moor Street Station. Virgin Trains seen at Birmingham New Street Station and at Coventry Station.

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Special liveries on Chiltern Railways and Virgin Trains seen in Birmingham





This is not a heritage trains post, more showing photos of the special liveries Chiltern Railways and Virgin Trains did to some of their trains around the Christmas period and at other times of the year. Chiltern Railways seen at Birmingham Moor Street Station. Virgin Trains seen at Birmingham New Street Station and at Coventry Station.


Chiltern Railways

Runs trains on the Chiltern Mainline between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone. There main fast trains are the Class 68's with the Mark 3 carriages and driving van trailer (numbered as 823xx). Here we will look at a pair of 823xx trains at Birmingham Moor Street Station.

The Chiltern Santa Train seen at Birmingham Moor Street during December 2017. The driving van trailer was numbered 82302. Titan 68009 was at the front (but it's livery was not changed at the time).

Seen from platform 3. It had arrived at platform 4.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Santa Train" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Santa Train (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Behind is Moor Street Car Park, Selfridges and the Rotunda.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Santa Train" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Santa Train (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heard that there was some nice views from Moor Street Car Park. So headed up to see. This was several floors up but not high enough.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Santa Train" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Santa Train (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of the Santa Train from the top floor of the car park as a London Midland Class 172 arrived at platform 2 (West Midlands Railway would take over from London Midland a few days later).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Santa Train" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Santa Train (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In November 2018 driving van trailer 82303 was in the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal temporary livery. Seen at Birmingham Moor Street.

I noticed a Chiltern train arriving at Moor Street from a bus I was on in Digbeth, so after I got off the bus outside of Selfridges, went up to the top of Moor Street Car Park for these views. Lamppost in the way. It was at platform 3.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Headed right for a clearer view of the Poppy train. Derelict buildings in the background was used as a filming location for Ready Player One! (filmed in 2016 released in 2018).

dndimg alt="Chiltern Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up look at the Poppy train. As I headed over the parametric bridge into Selfridges, the train started to leave for London.

dndimg alt="Chiltern Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chiltern Railways Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Virgin Trains

Runs trains on the West Coast Mainline between Birmingham New Street and London Euston (and also up to Scotland). They use Class 390 Pendolino's between Birmingham and London (and to other major cities along the West Coast Mainline such as Manchester and Liverpool).

Seen in late December 2014 at Birmingham New Street Station was the Traindeer. Virgin Trains Pendolino 390 112 (also known as Virgin Star). Was made to resemble a Christmas Reindeer! This livery was temporary. The train is currently unnamed.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Traindeer" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Traindeer.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen at Coventry Station during October 2017 was Virgin Trains Pendolino 390 040 in the Virgin Radio livery. This was temporary between April 2016 and November 2017.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Virgin Radio" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Virgin Radio (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We're Back Virgin Radio.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Virgin Radio" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Virgin Radio (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen at Birmingham New Street Station from the Moor Street link bridge during December 2016 was Virgin Trains Pendolino 390104. Alstom Pendolino. Formerly named "Virgin Scot". The co-branding between Alstom and Virgin was since September 2010.

dndimg alt="Virgin Trains Alstom Pendolino" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Virgin Trains Alstom Pendolino.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Moor Street link bridge view. This time it was Virgin Trains Pendolino 390103 (Virgin Hero). It was carrying the Royal British Legion livery commemorating the centenary of World War 1. Seen during March 2018.

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One more view from the Moor Street link bridge. Virgin Trains Pendolino 390151 (Virgin Ambassador), seen with the Business is Great livery during September 2017. Also known as the Virgin Trains Poppylino!

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The reflection of Business is Great in the shiny panels at New Street Station.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

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