Glasgow Birmingham direct

[Rutland23]

My Mother is coming for a State Visit

She likes to check on my physical/matrimonial state every year or two.

But booking her through from Glasgow Central to Birmingham International (but New Street would do), there doesn't seem to be a direct train.

All that I have looked at (for 28th May) involve a change

Is there some engineering works that I am not aware of? or has Scotland been cut off directly from the West Midlands?

Regards

Ian

 

[hexagon789]

My Mother is coming for a State Visit

She likes to check on my physical/matrimonial state every year or two.

But booking her through from Glasgow Central to Birmingham International (but New Street would do), there doesn't seem to be a direct train.

All that I have looked at (for 28th May) involve a change

Is there some engineering works that I am not aware of? or has Scotland been cut off directly from the West Midlands?

Regards

Ian

Engineering work Rugby to Stafford, there are trains directly from Birmingham International to Scotland but with the reduced service all go to Edinburgh except two evening departures - 1837 and 1917.

Otherwise a change at the likes of Preston or Carlisle would be necessary.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 May 2025 ==

Engineering works: Rugby / Stafford | National Rail

Buses replace trains between Coventry / Rugby and Stafford from Saturday 24 May to Sunday 1 June. See details of routes affected by planned engineering works, including when they take effect, alternative timetables, advice for alternative travel, including info about engineering work and why it...

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Description​

Engineering work is taking place between Rugby and Stafford, closing all lines.

Avanti West Coast​

No trains will run between Rugby and Stafford via Nuneaton. Replacement bus services will run between Coventry and Nuneaton.

Trains between London Euston and Holyhead will be amended to run between Crewe and Holyhead.

The timetable itself can be found here:

Train Timetables | Train Schedule | Avanti West Coast

Plan your journey with our train timetables for services in the UK. Download train schedules at Avanti West Coast to check times & special services.

www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk

 

[Rutland23]

Thanks for the info.

She hasn't had much success in recent travels.

The visit 2 years ago coincided with the Carstairs blockade, meaning a trip down the ECML.

Not only that, she managed to avoid the Passenger Assistance bods booked for her at GLC. They had her number at Waverley, though, and managed to apprehend her before she left the train and escorted her to her connection.

Not bad seeing as she can't see.

Regards

Ian

 

[plugwash]

On the 28th May I see two direct services from Glasgow to Birmingham international and two to Birmingham new street. The trains to international depart at 05:33 and 06:29, while the trains to New street depart at 06:48 and 07:48.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

On the 28th May I see two direct services from Glasgow to Birmingham international and two to Birmingham new street. The trains to international depart at 05:33 and 06:29, while the trains to New street depart at 06:48 and 07:48.

The hourly Avanti services from Glasgow to Euston (running through the West Midlands because of the Stafford-Rugby closure) omit Birmingham except for the two services mentions above which call at International.
With later trains a change en route is necessary, eg at Crewe where there is a 15-20 minute connection on to New St or International (train from Liverpool to Euston).
Usually this will be a same platform 5 change at Crewe.

The two direct Glasgow-New St trains are Cross-Country via York.
The Glasgow-Euston trains (change at Crewe) leaving Glasgow nearly 2 hours later arrive at New St at the same time, ie it's much slower via York and more likely to be crowded.
eg The 0748 XC above reaches New St at 1404, while the 0936 Avanti Glasgow-Euston (change at Crewe) gets to New St at 1406, ie 110 min quicker.

 

[Rutland23]

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunately, there is no way that Mother would catch either of the two direct trains as she is starting her journey on the Isle of Bute.

To catch the earlier direct trains she would have to have a night out in Glasgow beforehand.

She no longer appreciates the attractions of city life.

Thanks once again,

Regards

Ian

 

[andythebrave]

1840 from Glasgow stops at Rugby if that's any good for a pick up.