Changing my commute... Any tips on timetabling?

[TSR :D]

I commuted on Snow Hill line for more than 1 year and I will continue to commute until few months later when I'll have to change my commute to between New Street and Coventry from Snow Hill line. So, I have few questions you guys might want to answer.

1) Is it true that punctuality on New Street to Coventry line, is really low and trains frequently get delayed or cancelled when compared to Snow Hill line? I know, on Snow Hill line, trains do get delayed but it's rarely more than 5-10 minutes.

2) Does all Virgin and XC services stop at Coventry from New Street?

3) What platform does these services (At New Street) often use?

4) Does Virgin/XC service overtake slow London Midland service? (Only place these trains can overtake I can think of is at Birmingham International airport).

5) Is it worth taking Arriva service to Birmingham International to catch another train to Coventry?

6) Is there any major changes on this line I should be aware of?

And finally, how crowded does these train service get at peak times when compared to Snow Hill line trains?

EDIT: One more question, is there any unusual diagrams on this line?

 

[Crossover]

On #2
I believe most VT's stop at Coventry, but there is a headliner each morning which is non-stop from New St to Euston.

From New St, some XC's go to Leamington Spa via Solihull and avoid Coventry, whilst others go other directions (e.g. towards University/Bromsgrove)
I believe all XC's that go via Birmingham International do call at Coventry

 

[TSR :D]

On #2
I believe most VT's stop at Coventry, but there is a headliner each morning which is non-stop from New St to Euston.

From New St, some XC's go to Leamington Spa via Solihull and avoid Coventry, whilst others go other directions (e.g. towards University/Bromsgrove)
I believe all XC's that go via Birmingham International do call at Coventry

From the timetable, I believe this to be 0730 service from New Street.

 

[Crossover]

From the timetable, I believe this to be 0730 service from New Street.

That sounds about right.

I have checked RTT for today as an example, and the only passing passenger service is the VT headliner. Everything else passing, calls at Coventry from New St (and to New St)

 

[dvboy]

I commuted on Snow Hill line for more than 1 year and I will continue to commute until few months later when I'll have to change my commute to between New Street and Coventry from Snow Hill line. So, I have few questions you guys might want to answer.

1) Is it true that punctuality on New Street to Coventry line, is really low and trains frequently get delayed or cancelled when compared to Snow Hill line? I know, on Snow Hill line, trains do get delayed but it's rarely more than 5-10 minutes.

2) Does all Virgin and XC services stop at Coventry from New Street?

3) What platform does these services (At New Street) often use?

4) Does Virgin/XC service overtake slow London Midland service? (Only place these trains can overtake I can think of is at Birmingham International airport).

5) Is it worth taking Arriva service to Birmingham International to catch another train to Coventry?

6) Is there any major changes on this line I should be aware of?

And finally, how crowded does these train service get at peak times when compared to Snow Hill line trains?

EDIT: One more question, is there any unusual diagrams on this line?

1. Congestion at New Street is a problem during the peaks. One delayed train can have a knock on effect on all others timetabled around it. If there are delays North of New Street, the Arrivas are likely to be turned around at New Street rather than Intl, and remember any disruption further south on the WCML all the way to Euston will usually affect VT and LM services between Cov and Brum, but other services are frequent enough for things not to grind to a complete halt if this happens.

2. No, as mentioned above there is a VT service New Street non stop to Euston and there are XC services that avoid Coventry.

3. Anywhere between 1 and 6, usually at the A end. They will have a set regular platform but due to 1. above, subject to change.

4. I don't believe any do.

5. If only to avoid over-crowding between New St and Intl on stopping services, but it won't get you to Coventry any quicker. If the Arriva train is the first to depart from New Street and isn't too busy, you may as well get it.

6. Not that I know of. In times of disruption your alternative options are Moor St to Leamington Spa or National Express buses to Birmingham Intl.

7. Can't speak for the morning peak as I rarely use it but 5pm-6pm especially out of Birmingham to Coventry can be very busy, be prepared to stand on a Pendolino even.

 

[TSR :D]

1. Congestion at New Street is a problem during the peaks. One delayed train can have a knock on effect on all others timetabled around it. If there are delays North of New Street, the Arrivas are likely to be turned around at New Street rather than Intl, and remember any disruption further south on the WCML all the way to Euston will usually affect VT and LM services between Cov and Brum, but other services are frequent enough for things not to grind to a complete halt if this happens.

2. No, as mentioned above there is a VT service New Street non stop to Euston and there are XC services that avoid Coventry.

3. Anywhere between 1 and 6, usually at the A end. They will have a set regular platform but due to 1. above, subject to change.

4. I don't believe any do.

5. If only to avoid over-crowding between New St and Intl on stopping services, but it won't get you to Coventry any quicker. If the Arriva train is the first to depart from New Street and isn't too busy, you may as well get it.

6. Not that I know of. In times of disruption your alternative options are Moor St to Leamington Spa or National Express buses to Birmingham Intl.

7. Can't speak for the morning peak as I rarely use it but 5pm-6pm especially out of Birmingham to Coventry can be very busy, be prepared to stand on a Pendolino even.

For 6), in times of disruption, would nNetwork zone 1-5 be valid for Leamington Spa to Moor St?

For 7) I am likely to use services from New St at around 7:15 to 8:00 AM and in afternoon peak from Coventry at around 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

I'm not used to standing on the train, since trains on Snow Hill line sometimes get busy but never busy enough that I have to stand.

 

[Eagle]

For 6), in times of disruption, would nNetwork zone 1-5 be valid for Leamington Spa to Moor St?

No. On that line the nNetwork zones only go as far as Dorridge.

 

[dvboy]

For 6), in times of disruption, would nNetwork zone 1-5 be valid for Leamington Spa to Moor St?

For 7) I am likely to use services from New St at around 7:15 to 8:00 AM and in afternoon peak from Coventry at around 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

I'm not used to standing on the train, since trains on Snow Hill line sometimes get busy but never busy enough that I have to stand.

6. No but worth asking if you can take that route should there be a complete blockage between Birmingham and Coventry, as LM, VT and Chiltern have good reciprocal ticket acceptance arrangements in times of disruption. Alternatively you can choose to pay for a single to Cov, take advantage of ticket acceptance arrangements, and submit a delay-repay claim, so you're not out of pocket (and it would certainly be quicker than taking a bus).

7. You're going against the major flow so it shouldn't be too bad. Just be aware of the 0730 VT not stopping at Coventry.

 

[TSR :D]

I think all questions are answered now.

Guys, I thank all of you for answering questions.

Hopefully this commute change should be smooth one.

 

[dvboy]

Where do you commute from-to on the Snow Hill lines currently?

 

[TSR :D]

Where do you commute from-to on the Snow Hill lines currently?

I commute between Moor Street and Solihull.