Whats so special about the West Midlands?

[43021HST]

Haven't been on this forum in quite a while and haven't started a thread in the UK Railway Discussion section for even longer!

Anyway I've got a bit of a gripe to write about, why are enthusiasts so obsessed with the West Midlands? What I mean is everytime I open 'Traction magazine' it has some article about something like Virgin XC duffs in the West Midlands or freight around the black country. Other rail enthusiast magazines are guilty of being brummie-centric as well, but then again they're only catering for their audience.

about 70% of rail enthusiasts seem to come from Birmingham as well, please note that's more of an observation than a criticism.

Heard one enthusiast say he prefers Birmingham over London, the first thought that occurred was, "You mad bro" Really does escape me as to why Birmingham is so revered, there's no scenery, most of the trains in Birmingham are pretty mundane and it gets as many 'specials' as anywhere else in this country.
See what I did there? 'Specials' and they're from Coventry. I'll get my coat.

Another thing, when London Midland received new 350s, it's all I heard about on flickr, in magazines and on facebook. But when Southern received their new 377s I heard a few mutterings about them, but that was it. Probably because their sphere of operation doesn't extend to Birmingham.

 

[NSE]

I dunno there's a fair bit of variety there. Intercity, Regional, Local and Commuter. I'm from London, but I always find it interesting to go see different stuff. Birmingham New Street is kinda cool too, big junction and all. I don't read railway magazines regularly but I'd wager there's plenty of Thameslink and Crossrail stuff.

 

[Techniquest]

I see very little about the Midlands in general in magazines, although I haven't read Traction in years. Quite, all I tend to see is about the South East!

The Midlands has a good variety all in, although I'm slightly biased being from the most western extreme of the Midlands lol.

 

[ainsworth74]

about 70% of rail enthusiasts seem to come from Birmingham as well, please note that's more of an observation than a criticism.

You say that but the vast majority of the time forum meets held in the Birmingham area seem to draw people from the North and London but hardly anyone from Birmingham itself!

 

[NSE]

It's also pretty easy to get to Birmingham. While the frequencies are lower than trains to London and involve a change, both my local stations provide simple routes to Birmingham for most of the day.

 

[the sniper]

But when Southern received their new 377s I heard a few mutterings about them, but that was it. Probably because their sphere of operation doesn't extend to Birmingham.

It feels like the south eastern TOCs are constantly receiving new Electrostars of some type, so maybe that's why it doesn't spur as much interest?

Anyway, weren't most of them delivered via Bescot?

 

[Techniquest]

Plus, I wouldn't expect to hear much flapping about stuff on Flickr. Certainly the TPX 350/4s have caused one helluva lot of interest, same for the LM 350/3s (to a lesser degree mind, but we can blame that partially on livery froth with the 350/4s ) and the 377/6s and 377/7s have created a lot of discussion on here.

Just wait until the new Eurostar fleet comes on stream en-masse, then there'll be a lot of discussion all over the internet! And come the IEP deliveries, you won't be able to walk through a rural country hamlet without hearing about them!

 

[SF-02]

It feels like the south eastern TOCs are constantly receiving new Electrostars of some type, so maybe that's why it doesn't spur as much interest?

Except the actual Southeastern franchise itself which hasn't seen new stock (excluding HS1 which isn't much use for London commuters) for about 10 years now, far longer than other SE England franchises Well maybe some havn't seen too much but will see quite a lot more in coming years (FGW). Could do with more Class 377's in SE land than the 25 4 car units coming at the end of 2017, and sooner.

This lack of trains for SE is despite millions spent on platform extensions and power upgrades over the past couple of years yet it wont be utilised properly for years yet due to a lack of stock. A handful at best is all that can be 12 car for years yet, and getting just those running is already well behind schedule.

On the subject of regional interest - I have noticed certain areas and TOC's get more replies and longer threads. SE threads seem pretty short - not much discussion on those upgrades etc but threads for SW trains seem to continue for months with good discussion. Maybe it mirrors the social make up of certain areas?

 

[34D]

There does seem to be a strong 'vegetable' element in both Birmingham and also Manchester. One presumes Ian Allen got their marketing correct!

 

[Old Hill Bank]

If you look at the stats i.e. replies/views for the threads on here it's clear that the North wins followed by the South East. Can we have some more support for rail issues in the West Midlands please not less.

 

[hassaanhc]

Except the actual Southeastern franchise itself which hasn't seen new stock (excluding HS1 which isn't much use for London commuters) for about 10 years now, far longer than other SE England franchises Well maybe some havn't seen too much but will see quite a lot more in coming years (FGW). Could do with more Class 377's in SE land than the 25 4 car units coming at the end of 2017, and sooner.

This lack of trains for SE is despite millions spent on platform extensions and power upgrades over the past couple of years yet it wont be utilised properly for years yet due to a lack of stock. A handful at best is all that can be 12 car for years yet, and getting just those running is already well behind schedule.

On the subject of regional interest - I have noticed certain areas and TOC's get more replies and longer threads. SE threads seem pretty short - not much discussion on those upgrades etc but threads for SW trains seem to continue for months with good discussion. Maybe it mirrors the social make up of certain areas?

I think you answered your own question discussion of Southeastern is low because they don't have any introduction of new trains or services! :P Their only discussion appears to be regarding yet another schoolboy error or where staff have been making up rules again . Or it appears we have less Southeastern staff/users than SWT ones, plus the introduction of 456 & 458/5 units

 

[Techniquest]

If you look at the stats i.e. replies/views for the threads on here it's clear that the North wins followed by the South East. Can we have some more support for rail issues in the West Midlands please not less.

Hear hear

SF-02, expect some discussion of the South East, particularly Kent, in the coming weeks from me. I will have a trip report from a Kent Rover trip to post in early August

 

[Andyh82]

Depends what magazines you buy. Today's Railways tends is biased to the north, which is refreshingly nice to see, obviously due to them being based in Sheffield.

 

[Cherry_Picker]

So if anybody is obsessed by the West Midlands, it's the OP. Why the irrational hatred?

 

[Class377/5]

Except the actual Southeastern franchise itself which hasn't seen new stock (excluding HS1 which isn't much use for London commuters) for about 10 years now, far longer than other SE England franchises Well maybe some havn't seen too much but will see quite a lot more in coming years (FGW). Could do with more Class 377's in SE land than the 25 4 car units coming at the end of 2017, and sooner.

This lack of trains for SE is despite millions spent on platform extensions and power upgrades over the past couple of years yet it wont be utilised properly for years yet due to a lack of stock. A handful at best is all that can be 12 car for years yet, and getting just those running is already well behind schedule.

On the subject of regional interest - I have noticed certain areas and TOC's get more replies and longer threads. SE threads seem pretty short - not much discussion on those upgrades etc but threads for SW trains seem to continue for months with good discussion. Maybe it mirrors the social make up of certain areas?

Technically SE has got new stock, although of limited use of the 377/5 which it has a contract for use (including wholly on SE turf in bad weather). However its average stock age has increased with the introduction of the 319 on its services.

Of course with the released Networkers they do the retractioning but since that's almost completed they haven't yet lengthened trains despite planning on introducing them.

 

[GatwickDepress]

The West Midlands is both a lovely and fascinating place. I spent most of one of the days on holiday there in the library looking up local railway history.