Recent content by williamus

Yes it's a bit confusing. This is an extract from an email sent out on 25 February to passengers booked (I assume) on VT tours this year. I've no idea why the website doesn't reflect this: "In the light of the ORR's prohibition notice served on WCRC (West Coast Railway Company) effective...

We used our last two "pairs" of LM tickets last week... 1. To cover the Northfield to Shrewsbury then Hereford to Northfield (via Barnt Green) legs taking in the Heart-of-Wales line (circular rover purchased). 13 hour round trip and 50+ stops. Mrs W was well impressed :lol: 2...

I know we're talking about ATW and I hesitate to talk about Crosscountry in glowing terms, but I've just come back from a Totnes/Birmingham trip with tickets booked a couple of weeks in advance and not only were designated seats provided, I was able to go online and change the seat offered (to...

Yes, that's what I intended and I certainly wasn't criticising the driver. As others have explained, if the axles were locked up and the train was just sliding... that must be one of the worst feelings for a driver. Grateful for the opportunity to make that clear.

Thanks for judgemental response. Please read my post again. I didn't say he "didn't try braking" - I said "he didn't look as if he was trying to brake" - i.e. the train didn't appear to slow appreciably as it went through the station. I merely reported what I saw, as much as anything to...

At Northfield waiting the service to Lichfield TV which overshot the station and came to rest 400 yards away by the slow up signal (at green). After 10 minutes it carried on towards Kings Norton. Rail conditions look pretty dreadful but he didn't look as though he was trying to break. Typical...

Indeed, although oddly the Live Train Times App is working fine

Myth xyz: "Birmingham's Curzon Street has magnificent Doric columns" Of course, they're Ionic, deliberately to compliment and contrast with the Euston Arch columns which were Doric...

Obviously I'm a mug, but I would. It's stealing, surely?

Oddly enough, I used to use it when I lived in Birmingham, worked in Leicester and had to be in Edinburgh for an early meeting the next day. I'd work late in Leicester, take the train to St Pancras about 9pm then walk across to Euston and catch the sleeper.

It's not just cost though, is it? In the 70's we had no car and little money and excursions were a good idea of fun for a wide spectrum of people (not just us). I'm not sure they are anymore.

This is an incredibly evocative thread... the era of the 70's excursion! £3 or £4 (from memory) took you from Birmingham to Weymouth (via Bristol). Might be rose-coloured spectacles but there might even have been a pick up at Kings Norton. We also went on lots of other Sunday excursions to...

Mendip Vale on the East Somerset Railway... it's only recently got a footpath

Yes, you're right. Stephonson Street entrance will be the easiest way in on foot in most circumstances I admit I was being a bit petulant having got used to using the ramp and the escalators to come in and out of the station for more years than I like to think about it. I guess it's...

My understanding is that electronic barriers will come into operation when the Atrium and the shopping mall are opened in 2015.