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Hi all, Two occurrences for myself at stations in recent months has got me thinking - is it time that the guidelines for railway enthusiasts were updated and a uniform approach across all TOCs was adopted? I was at Clapham Junction several weeks ago, happily taking photos on a day trip to...

Whilst stood at the bottom of the gradient down to Grand Central today waiting for a tram to pass so that I could cross to the station, I couldn't help but notice just how loud the flange boise is as the trams go around the corner. It caused rather a lot of pain in my ears! I've noticed it is...

Hi all, My question arises from a situation of what I believe to be a combination of factors representing very poor customer service onboard a service tonight between Stourbridge Junction and Stratford-Upon-Avon. I've written an email to West Midlands Railway / WMTrains about this, which will...

Hello all, Something I've frequently wondered as there appears to be very little standard practice for the matter. When a train with a guard/train manager who is responsible for the dispatch of the train is leaving a station, what should they be doing? Is it rule book that they should be...

Hi all I've noticed recently an abundance of platform staff both at Stafford & Wolverhampton wearing relatively plain clothes compared to the usual staff, and in hi-vis jackets. They were being supervised (or so it seemed) until recently though this morning they seem to be operating...

Hello all I've always had some questions about the role of the train dispatcher / platform assistant on LU stations: - What is the 'message' of the bat being raised to the driver (e.g. as on mainline where it is station work complete, etc.?) - Why is the bat kept raised as the train departs -...

Hello all, Having just arrived into Penkridge from the Wolverhampton end, headed towards Stafford, I've just noticed two or so buffers, a wide OLE cantenary and a little bit of track. Are these remnants from when the signalbox & diverging branch were open? Does anyone have the dates for closure...

Hi all, Does anybody know the reasoning behind the fast lines at Stafford being blocked this morning? All trains being sent via the slows with NOGO interposed. Many thanks, Brick60000

Hello all, Just sat outside Stafford station at the moment on 1M70. There appears to be trains stopped in p4,5&6 with train stopped at signals at the north end. All appears to be resuming now, but does anyone know what the reason for this hold up (unsure on length) was? Regards, Brick60000

Morning all, I'm currently studying BSc Logistics with Transport Management as a first year student at Aston University in Birmingham. I was wondering if anyone knows of, or would be able to suggest, any potentially suitable part time or casual employment/ related to the railway that would be...

Hi all, Apologies if there is already a topic on this. I was just wondering when the blockade to complete the resignalling of the area around Smethwick Galton Bridge is likely to take place, and what plans for diversions/service alterations will be implemented. Can't see anything on NRE...

Hi all, I visited Wolverhampton booking office yesterday to purchase a Network Student Term ticket with band E add on (to Stafford). Ticket pictured here: When purchasing the ticket, the staff couldn't work out how to do it (which is fair enough, I don't suppose it's that common!). After...

Hi all, I was originally planning to visit and photograph these workings this year but haven't got round to it yet! Are these likely to continue into and beyond the September date in the diagrams thread and then the winter, and next summer? Brick60000 Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Hi all, Travelling about near Wareham the last few days has lead me to discover it has a (seemingly?) unique operation in terms of the pedestrian crossing near to the former signal box. It appears that the crossing has minature signal lights operated by track detection as is often the case...

Hi all, Not sure if this is the right place to ask this but it's something that I've been thinking about. With ticket checks on board seemingly so random and lacking in consistency at times, who is it that determines when a check should take place? Does the guard decide and it is solely down...

Not sure if here or the diagrams thread is best for this, but given it isn't definitely a scheduled occurrence i thought here would be best for now. Watching movements around Stafford (Stafford-Crewe section) this afternoon, a selection of fast trains seem to be using the down slow line...

Hi all, On approach into Wolverhampton from the north (Stafford) end, i noticed there is about 5 or so what look to be the 'supports'? (i don't know the technical term) that would have had attached to them the pulleys for signal wire controlled signals on/near to the bridge just north of the...

Hi all, I'm currently planning my ticket purchases for the near future and wondered if you could advise me. I will be travelling as follows: Day 1: STA (Stafford) to KID (Kidderminster) Day 2: KID to SBJ (Stourbridge Junction) SBJ to BMO (Birmingham Moor Street) BMO to SBJ Day 3: SBJ to...

Hi all, Travelling from Smethwick Galton Bridge towards Wolverhampton just now, I noticed what appeared to be 2 aspect bulb (in design at least), unlit, ground mounted signals on the wolverhampton side of Sandwell and Dudley on the opposite direction line (up direction towards London). Does...

Hi all, I noticed this afternoon that signal WS4336 at Penkridge in the up direction on P2 does not display a YY aspect, jumping straight from Y to G. Is this intended, or is there a failure with the other LED bulb that should show the second yellow (since the space is there on the signal)...