Cross-City Electrification from Barnt Green to Bromsgrove

[Harbornite]

What impact will the opening of a fancy new station have on loadings? Is there a danger that services will become oversubscribed (if they are not already)?

Maybe, as all the current services are operated by two or three car 170's, some working in multiple or with 153's. However, the electrification of the line could alleviate the problem because some of the cross city services will be extended.

 

[Hophead]

Maybe, as all the current services are operated by two or three car 170's, some working in multiple or with 153's. However, the electrification of the line could alleviate the problem because some of the cross city services will be extended.

Well, yes, but in the intervening period, I fear that commuters will sample the service on offer and come away unimpressed.

 

[edwin_m]

Hopefully they won't do a big marketing campaign until the electric service starts.

 

[Harbornite]

Well, yes, but in the intervening period, I fear that commuters will sample the service on offer and come away unimpressed.

If this happens then LM need to be honest with them and tell them that service improvements will follow electrification.

 

[Heartland]

I understand Worcestershire Council has set the opening day for the new Bromsgrove Station as July 12th, 2016.

The former station has seen changes over the years, placed at the bottom of the incline it had two platforms complete with all the facilities that the Midland Railway normally supplied. The adjacent locomotive shed (for the bank engines) and wagon shops provided employment for workers over the years. In British Rail days the Bromsgrove service was reduced considerably with only one platform in use. This became two again with the improved service and now with electrification the prospect of additional passengers is good.

 

[Harbornite]

I understand Worcestershire Council has set the opening day for the new Bromsgrove Station as July 12th, 2016.

The former station has seen changes over the years, placed at the bottom of the incline it had two platforms complete with all the facilities that the Midland Railway normally supplied. The adjacent locomotive shed (for the bank engines) and wagon shops provided employment for workers over the years. In British Rail days the Bromsgrove service was reduced considerably with only one platform in use. This became two again with the improved service and now with electrification the prospect of additional passengers is good.

Don't forget the GatX branded oil terminal which was rail served and closed in the 1990s. The construction of the new station was actually delayed due to contaminated ground at the site of this facility.

 

[Class172]

The station is due to open today if I recall correctly. I'll have to make a visit at some point.

 

[59CosG95]

Yep, already opened for business. Now all we need is for the electrification to finish. Did a run up on Sunday; no masts as such, just piles. Some seem to be there on one side only, which makes me think twin track cantilevers'll be used.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Network Rail's press release: http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/new-bromsgrove-station-opens-to-passengers

Further improvements are scheduled as Network Rail’s electrification and resignalling programme continues.
Once complete, there will be four trains per hour between Bromsgrove and Birmingham

Presumably platforms 1 and 4 are yet to open, pending remodelling?
Resignalling is the next key item (transferring control from Gloucester to WMSC). Wires no use without that.

 

[Techniquest]

No track in yet as of yesterday afternoon on the southbound loop (platform 4 I think) so still some way to go. My last ever call at the now old Bromsgrove station yesterday on the 1449 New Street to Hereford. It'll be interesting to see how the longer run up to the Lickey from the new platforms will affect the speed going north on the Hereford to Birmingham services.

 

[keredsonej]

The northbound platform (1) line is in and in use as a freight loop but the track in the southbound platform (4) cannot be connected in until the down platform at the old station is removed, as a long gradual curve is required for the line speed.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah fair enough, didn't know that!

 

[mikestone1952]

Not hugely impressed - when you come out of the booking hall you have to come from under the roof to access the platforms, the ticket machines are positioned where they are likely to get wet if it rains heavily and will be easily missed if going to the station on foot.
Surprised the footbridge isn't fully enclosed given the forthcoming electrification.
;
. The "onward travel" poster lists buses despite the fact they dont start until later in the month when I suggested that they ought to have covered it up the bloke just shrugged his shoulders.
;
All relatively minor but typical of lack of attention to detail in anything related to transport.

 

[gg1]

Will LM acquire any additional EMUs in time for the extension of cross city services to Bromsgrove or will they have to work with their existing stock, maybe by reducing the number of doubled up peak time services?

 

[swt_passenger]

Will LM acquire any additional EMUs in time for the extension of cross city services to Bromsgrove or will they have to work with their existing stock, maybe by reducing the number of doubled up peak time services?

LM's existing fleet is already sized for Bromsgrove. This has been explained in press releases by both DfT and LM in the past, e.g. this one:

...Of the 40 carriages London Midland will receive, 12 will help deliver an internal rolling stock cascade that will provide additional capacity on the Cross City line in Birmingham. The frequency of peak and off-peak services between Birmingham and Redditch will be increased from 2 trains per hour to 3 trains per hour from December 2014. The trains will also enable electric services from Birmingham New Street to be extended to Bromsgrove from May 2015, assuming that the plan to relocate Bromsgrove Station is confirmed and electrification is completed on schedule.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-trains-and-faster-journey-times-will-boost-capacity

 

[gg1]

LM's existing fleet is already sized for Bromsgrove. This has been explained in press releases by both DfT and LM in the past, e.g. this one:

Thanks, I wasn't aware the additional 350s were to partially to allow for the cascade of sufficient 323s for the Bromsgrove extension.

As this cascade happened a while ago the general gist of my question still stands, will there be a reduction in the number of doubled up peak time services? The only way I can see Bromsgrove services starting without such a reduction would be if LM currently have units sitting idle in the morning and evening peaks.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks, I wasn't aware the additional 350s were to partially to allow for the cascade of sufficient 323s for the Bromsgrove extension.

As this cascade happened a while ago the general gist of my question still stands, will there be a reduction in the number of doubled up peak time services? The only way I can see Bromsgrove services starting without such a reduction would be if LM currently have units sitting idle in the morning and evening peaks.

IIRC they still don't fully utilise the 319s. I think that is effectively where the missing numbers will come from.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Thanks, I wasn't aware the additional 350s were to partially to allow for the cascade of sufficient 323s for the Bromsgrove extension.

As this cascade happened a while ago the general gist of my question still stands, will there be a reduction in the number of doubled up peak time services? The only way I can see Bromsgrove services starting without such a reduction would be if LM currently have units sitting idle in the morning and evening peaks.

The bids for the West Midlands franchise will decide the future.
In due course there will be more 350s available (from TPE), 323s (from Northern) and 319s (from Thameslink).
But the formal position is that the Bromsgrove extension (and Redditch higher frequency) is already covered.
Additional stock will be needed for the Chase line.
More efficient diagramming will also be possible with more lines electrified.

 

[Harbornite]

The bids for the West Midlands franchise will decide the future.
In due course there will be more 350s available (from TPE), 323s (from Northern) and 319s (from Thameslink).
But the formal position is that the Bromsgrove extension (and Redditch higher frequency) is already covered.
Additional stock will be needed for the Chase line.
More efficient diagramming will also be possible with more lines electrified.

The Bromsgrove and Shrewsbury routes will benefit from having more 170s available once the Chase is wired. Therefore, Bromsgrove in particular will do well in the next few years with electric stock in addition to more diesels.

 

[Class172]

The Bromsgrove and Shrewsbury routes will benefit from having more 170s available once the Chase is wired. Therefore, Bromsgrove in particular will do well in the next few years with electric stock in addition to more diesels.

If I recall correctly from the West Mids and Chilterns draft RUS, there is no additional stock needed on the Hereford services in the next 10 years based on the assumption that it will receive the majority of the stock released from the Chase Line.

 

[Harbornite]

If I recall correctly from the West Mids and Chilterns draft RUS, there is no additional stock needed on the Hereford services in the next 10 years based on the assumption that it will receive the majority of the stock released from the Chase Line.

That's what I inferred, there will be extra diesels for the Bromsgrove route but not from external sources.

 

[Class 170101]

The ITT shows extra Shrewsbury services so even with the Chase Line wiring will there be enough diesels just to cascade internally within the LM franchise?

 

[70014IronDuke]

Apologies if this is a stupid question, by why are four platforms needed? (or will be needed?)

will some fasts overtake in the fully electrified TT?

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Apologies if this is a stupid question, by why are four platforms needed? (or will be needed?)
will some fasts overtake in the fully electrified TT?

Cross city trains (3tph) will terminate and reverse in one platform, and another is on the loop for trains waiting for a path up the Lickey.
The other two platforms are on the fast main lines.
It will be interesting to see which platforms the Worcester route diesel trains will use when a full electric service is operating.
It's refreshing that the layout is quite generous, basically it gives the main line two platform loops.

 

[70014IronDuke]

Cross city trains (3tph) will terminate and reverse in one platform, and another is on the loop for trains waiting for a path up the Lickey.
The other two platforms are on the fast main lines.
It will be interesting to see which platforms the Worcester route diesel trains will use when a full electric service is operating.
It's refreshing that the layout is quite generous, basically it gives the main line two platform loops.

Thanks for explanation. If 3 TPH and symmetrical, ie every 20 mins, presumably, with layover time, that turnaround platform will be occupied for a larger percentage of the time throughout the day. At least 30 mins in every hour? So might be difficult to path the Worcesters in that way?
On the other side, I have no idea how much freight traffic there is that would need to be looped.

 

[swt_passenger]

The alignment is not laid out symmetrically, see post#73 onwards. P1 and P3 are functionally the loops, P2 and P4 are the fast lines. As per previous posts the line through P4 will not become available until the existing platform that is in the way is demolished

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I counted 40-ish piled mast bases today, between Barnt Green and Bromsgrove (each side).
They are concentrated at the upper and middle sections of the Lickey.
Nothing at the bottom end or the new station area at Bromsgrove, and only a few east of Blackwell.
Bromsgrove old station has vanished without trace!
The new Down Fast is in situ alongside P4, but is not connected at either end.
A 13-day blockade is advertised for 25 Oct - 6 Nov for resignalling etc. Through services diverted via Kidderminster.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx?TravelDate=27/10/2016&TOC=lm

On the Chase line, there are piled bases between all the stations on the branch from Ryecroft Jn to Rugeley TV, but still plenty of gaps south of Cannock.
No sign of electrification work south of Ryecroft Jn through Walsall station (the new wires will have to extend to Pleck Jn as only the eastern pair of lines from Walsall is currently wired).

And finally, I was gratified to discover that you can still hear Phil Sayer's announcements on Midland Metro trams.

 

[40907]

BBC "Midlands Today" yesterday had extensive coverage of the line closure for the engineering work. Bus replacement service getting a mixed reception, understandably due to longer journey times.
As mentioned by the previous poster, everything going via Kidderminster, with longer journey times for some long distance services, and Hereford/Malvern/Worcester.

Looked pretty extensive track remodelling taking place. Presumably not work that could be carried out in the run up to opening the new station for various reasons.

40907

 

[The Planner]

The main one being the old station being in the way of part of the realignment.

 

[Harbornite]

There are a number of pictures on facebook of engineering trains and works in and around the station. One of the more noticeable cosmetic changes is the removal of the remans of the old down loop which had the same alignment as it did when Bromsgrove South signal box was still in place...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoffsimages/14772833736/

7
https://www.flickr.com/photos/106910975@N06/29785683762/in/photolist-LALPZM-Mo4q4L

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154739635209575&set=pcb.699413486875666&type=3&theater