Chiltern temporary direct trains from Rowley Regis to Marylebone

[LittleRedTrain]

Noticed this morning that, as of this week, Chiltern seems to have (re)introduced direct morning peak trains from Rowley Regis to Marylebone at 0650 and 0727, calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge and Snow Hill before picking up the usual path at Moor St.

These are the 68-hauled trains which used to start from Stourbridge/Kidderminster but were cut back to starting from Birmingham (last year I think), despite the stock still stabling at Stourbridge.

They seem to be in journey planners up to the 28th March, after which they revert back to normal.

Is this a sign of Chiltern starting to re-expand, or is it related to the current stock issues on West Midlands Trains?

 

[150219]

The latter.

 

[50010 Monarch]

Noticed this morning that, as of this week, Chiltern seems to have (re)introduced direct morning peak trains from Rowley Regis to Marylebone at 0650 and 0727, calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge and Snow Hill before picking up the usual path at Moor St.

These are the 68-hauled trains which used to start from Stourbridge/Kidderminster but were cut back to starting from Birmingham (last year I think), despite the stock still stabling at Stourbridge.

They seem to be in journey planners up to the 28th March, after which they revert back to normal.

Is this a sign of Chiltern starting to re-expand, or is it related to the current stock issues on West Midlands Trains?

Great news. Well done Chiltern.

 

[MattSGB]

Noticed this morning that, as of this week, Chiltern seems to have (re)introduced direct morning peak trains from Rowley Regis to Marylebone at 0650 and 0727, calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge and Snow Hill before picking up the usual path at Moor St.

These are the 68-hauled trains which used to start from Stourbridge/Kidderminster but were cut back to starting from Birmingham (last year I think), despite the stock still stabling at Stourbridge.

They seem to be in journey planners up to the 28th March, after which they revert back to normal.

Is this a sign of Chiltern starting to re-expand, or is it related to the current stock issues on West Midlands Trains?

Great news, I don't need to rely on my alarm clock with the 68s revving past my house.

 

[Class 170101]

But why start at Rowley Regis? Surely Stourbridge Jn is busier place?

 

[LittleRedTrain]

Guessing it's either because they can get the stock straight out of the sidings at Stourbridge going east without having to reverse in the platform (so no need for the driver to change ends), and/or because that's the furthest west they can arrange to book on a guard (as a prerequisite to allowing what would normally be an ECS to run in passenger service).

If it is a temporary way of helping out during WMT during their stock shortages, I'm surprised nobody is shouting it out from the rooftops/trying to take credit.

Though I suspect questions might then be asked why the direct services couldn't become permanent again (after all, the stock and path are both there, you just need to pay for the guard!)

 

[Chris172]

But why start at Rowley Regis? Surely Stourbridge Jn is busier place?

Simply not enough time to stunt into Stourbridge so starting at Rowley Regis and calling at Smethwick GB and Snow Hill then as normal