Trains using the chord between Smethwick Rolfe Street & Langley Green stations

[BobSmith833]

Hi, apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but I've just seen a map of the West Midlands area rail network at this Birmingham Mail article which shows a direct link between Smethwick Rolfe Street and Langley Green, via the curve that runs between the two tracks avoiding Smethwick Galton Bridge.

Obviously I assume this is rather an outdated map, as it still shows the "Centro sponsored area", something that hasn't existed since around 2005 if I'm not wrong. I'm curious if that route has ever been open to passengers though, or if it is a freight-only curve. The Wikipedia articles make no mention of there ever being service that way.

 

[yorkie]

Trains from Birmingham to Kidderminster used to go from New Street via this route, rather than from Moor Street.

In the current timetable, towards New Street WMT operate one train, the 2058 from Hereford to New Street via this route, while XC operate two services; 2200 from Bristol Temple Meads and 2145 from Cardiff Central.

In the other direction XC's 0500 New Street to Cardiff and WMT's 2257 New Street to Worcester also go this way.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Until the re-opening of the ex-GWR "Jewellery Line" between Moor Street and Smethwick in 1995, all trains to the Stourbridge line ran from New Street using this link.

 

[Watershed]

It normally only sees a handful of trains a day, running at the start and end of service for route retention.

However, when there are engineering works between Birmingham and Abbotswood Jn (just south of Worcestershire Parkway), trains which normally run via Bromsgrove are diverted to run this way.

 

[Class172]

However, when there are engineering works between Birmingham and Abbotswood Jn (just south of Worcestershire Parkway), trains which normally run via Bromsgrove are diverted to run this way.

Indeed, and during disruption on the south Cross City, it is not at all unusual for Hereford services to be diverted via the Smethwick West curve and run fast to/from Droitwich Spa.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's hard to imagine the impact those Stourbridge Jn line services would have on the Birmingham-Wolverhampton route today.
Not to mention even more fumes at New St.

 

[Bald Rick]

It's hard to imagine the impact those Stourbridge Jn line services would have on the Birmingham-Wolverhampton route today.
Not to mention even more fumes at New St.

They wouldn’t be running. Or, if they were, the ‘normal’ service to Manchester would be back to hourly, the Liverpools would be hourly, and the Rugeley services would not be routed that way.

 

[warwickshire]

Charter trains use this way.
Also Gbrf 50s use this way as required when returning to the kidderminster S.V.R.
Also recently the colas stock moves have travelled this way during summer for the hst class 43 storage moves.
With a movement to derby only last Friday the 10th December 2021.
Also some freights are actually booked this way including some drs nuclear services from crewe.
Ie moves are shown on.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Oxfordblues]

DRS's 19:17 Wentloog-Daventry Tesco train is routed via Old Hill, Soho Road, Aston and Stechford.

 

[childwallblues]

l was doing some counting work at University one evening some years go when the DRS liner passed through. I assumed that it also must have passed New Street station

 

[The Planner]

l was doing some counting work at University one evening some years go when the DRS liner passed through. I assumed that it also must have passed New Street station

Could have, but more likely Stechford, Aston, Perry Barr, Soho.

 

[Bald Rick]

Could have, but more likely Stechford, Aston, Perry Barr, Soho.

Are you losing your marbles or am I? If it was at University, it’s a slam dunk via New St!

 

[Class172]

Are you losing your marbles or am I? If it was at University, it’s a slam dunk via New St!

No I was thinking the same!

 

[The Planner]

Are you losing your marbles or am I? If it was at University, it’s a slam dunk via New St!

Good point, well made. The marbles rolled off long ago.

 

[High Dyke]

According to PSUL Galton Junction - Smethwick West (57) CG04

Mondays to Fridays:
1M90 2058 Hereford - Birmingham New Street
1M80 2020 Paignton - Birmingham New Street
1M89 2145 Cardiff Central - Birmingham New Street
1V01 0500 Birmingham New Street - Cardiff Central
1V98 2257 Birmingham New Street - Worcester Foregate Streert
Saturdays:
1V01 0500 Birmingham New Street - Cardiff Central

Timetables may be subject to change.