Seems strange. They always used to mention the B end.
I wasn't suggesting BNS decent remodelling as an alternate to HS2, rather a fraction of HS2 investment would have made massive impact to the network overall around midlands. HS2 is only affecting around 25% of the WCML in any case, although yes the most over subscribed part of it. Water under the bridge now, but new street remains dire imo !
Plus, there is no need to go to the B end if you are changing from one A platform to another A platform on the same side of the glass wall.
That would explain why CrossCountry Train Managers always seem to be most assiduous in announcing connections via the B end when approaching New Steeet.
There are six* unelectrified major routes that start from New Street. I’d be surprised if any of them were wired, or in battery range, in the next decade.
No, but when the Voyagers are ultimately replaced in 10-15 years' time it'll be unthinkable for their replacements not to be bi-modes.
Having learnt my way around it I also really like New Street at the concourse level, but I can see why it causes the confusion it does.
Also, a third of the Shrewsbury service is TfW. I expect the 197s will be around for a little while yet. (Unfortunately.)
Technically it's previous generation (AdBlue only) on the 196s and current generation (AdBlue and particulate filter) on the 197s, but both are of course far lower-emission than the Voyagers and 170s (and outgoing 158s).
At the risk of repeating the conversations from earlier upthread, I also completely get why it was done the way it was, and it's great that you can walk through the station to get from one side of Birmingham to the other so the station doesn't act as a barrier across the city centre.
I've not used New St so I can't comment on that, but I don't think those two stations are anything alike. Clapham Junction has platforms 1-17 arranged in order, so whatever the ambience it's fairly obvious where the platform you need is going to be. Stratford has, in order, platforms 1, 2, 12, 11, 10a, 10, 9, 8, 6, 5, 3, 3a, 4b, 4a and then 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 at right angles to those. It feels like it was designed as a joke, with the a/b platforms, possibly uniquely, not being just different bits along the length of the same physical platform as an extra comedy bit.
This has reminded me that in Germany, separate groups of platforms* are sometimes denoted by giving them far-part numbers. For example the underground S-bahn platforms at Frankfurt Hbf are numbered 101-104.
Lounge is so not the right name to use.
I have no issue with Clapham (except for the gents are pretty grim and out the way). It knows what it is—a predominantly interchange station—and is good at doing that. It’s straightforward and gets the job done.
Exactly. Clapham Junction is a commuter station. Nearly everyone using it will be regulars. Stratford is also basically a commuter station, with lots of short distance leisure travel as well. With high frequency services, so that most people use it in a turn up and go manner, which isn't the case for many New Street passengers.
If your carriage at the wrong end of (in particular) a 9 or 11 car Avanti service, then walking down to the other is a pretty unattractive proposition.
The idea is surely that it is the most comfortable place to wait for a train. Nobody is really claiming that the platforms are a desirable place to spend any longer than necessary and on the (current) concourse at New Street if you stay in the same place longer than a few seconds a beggar will approach you.
Perhaps if the areas had more of a look and feel of what people would recognise a lounge to be? Should we rename waiting rooms lounges?
