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Yes, indeed, is this unique? When the shopping centre was built there was just an hourly shuttle to New Street, so the new station incorporated within it served the island platform only - it was all that was needed. A passageway across the tracks to the street provided access when the shopping...

I popped up to Stourbridge earlier today, no ice cream van on the Town service. I think there may have been a replacement bus service but I opted to walk. I thought 'why'? It's an ice cream van - these operate in hot weather, it's when they get most of their trade... But seriously, it's...

As a lifelong (almost!) anti-privatisationist it's difficult for me to sing the praises of any TOC. But my vote goes to Central Trains. Yes, they did have a reputation of being a bit ropey in the early years but towards the end of the franchise they really had it nailed (Thames Trains - which...

Basically the entire national network. The many miles of double track line which used to be quadruple, particularly in the north of England (see Don Coffey's video material). The plain line where there used to be a siding connection within living memory. Urban routes lined with graffiti which...

I have to admit to being surprised he was born in 1932. I had presumed he was much older and long deceased. One of the great names on my bookshelf and in my magazine collections, R.I.P.

172s have AC sockets with a USB charging port built-in. I've never used the AC sockets myself (I normally carry just a USB cable on my person) but if some of the carriage lights are out and - tellingly - there's no noise/vibration from the engine, then the whole lot will be dead. Those USB...

Welcome to the Snow Hill Lines. Fun, isn't it?

Fair enough, the 730s weren't mentioned initially. Dirty windows on 172s is also a recent problem (or more likely something which has built up imperceptibly to the point where it's now obvious) but the damage was done years ago. I find it ironic that the insides of the windows are covered with...

I would hazard a guess that there's a connection with this thread - The common link is "London Midland"...

Worse still, the OP mentions Class 170 o_O

Yes, I can only speak for the related Class 350 on the southern WCML, and it has been a while since I've travelled on one. Never been impressed with seats, windows etc but when it comes to 'quiet', 'smooth' and 'nippy' they take a lot of beating!

I think that the 'wood effect' end bulkheads on a number of today's new trains is a nice touch, but that's as far as I can go...

There are, of course, later services to Snow Hill/Moor Street. Not much use if you're travelling to Bromsgrove, though.

Good point, they were assembled by Metro-Cammell according to Wikipedia but BREL did build some of the bodyshells, which keeps them 'in the family', so to speak.

Indeed, but one thing I did notice is that the first class passengers get the thrash!

Same here, just the last leg to Stourbridge Junction so no experience of high-speed running (and I felt a right prawn being the only person to remain on the platform for the Kidderminster train). And by the way, I for one am reluctant to call them Mk5s - they weren't built by BREL or its...

Had my first refurbished unit last week (I didn't do much travelling during December and January). So what's the big deal? New seats and new carpet, otherwise it's the same Class 170 interior just cleaned up a bit. Seats are thinner and harder but offer more legroom. Six of one and half a dozen...

You beat me to it! Kidderminster 'bus station' is just a bus turning area with some shelters around the perimeter. During the hours of darkness it's lit by 4 or 5 tall lamp standards, half of which don't work (going back a couple or 3 years - has anything changed?). The shelters themselves are...

Only one vote allowed... Well, as much as I like Thumpers I can't make a choice between Hampshire (205) or Oxted (207) units, although the latter has an edge in that an original unrefurbished unit survives. As for CEP/BEP stock I have very little (if any) recollection of them in their original...

Oh dear, this has reminded me of that old and possibly apocryphal tale of the passenger turning up at Kidderminster wanting to go to 'Northwood'. There's no Northwood station on the national network but if a booking clerk comes across the Severn Valley halt before the Metropolitan Line station...