London Midland Advice

[DarloRich]

I have two day travel passes left to use by the end of this month. I hope to use them this Wednesday and next Wednesday

Can anyone suggest where I could go - I know the line from Euston to Birmingham quite well but no nothing about the "branches". I would like to cover as much as possible over the two days.

Any help greatly appreciated

 

[Techniquest]

Motive power gen? Where to go? Scenic lines? I could advise on a lot to do with LM, but in the interim, I might suggest a trip with LM to Stoke and/or Liverpool for somewhere different.

 

[andythebrave]

Motive power gen? Where to go? Scenic lines? I could advise on a lot to do with LM, but in the interim, I might suggest a trip with LM to Stoke and/or Liverpool for somewhere different.

If it's a nice day the return ferry trip across the Mersey is a good idea. Just try not to burst into song!

 

[DarloRich]

Thanks - I may do Liverpool one day and potter the next.

I really want to cover as much ground as I can and see some of the bits I don’t know anything about. Shrewsbury, Stratford upon Avon, that funny tram thing (!) those lines from the WCML to Birmingham (Rugeley? Lichfield?) etc

PS – this may be in the wrong forum – sorry!

 

[williamus]

We used our last two "pairs" of LM tickets last week...

1. To cover the Northfield to Shrewsbury then Hereford to Northfield (via Barnt Green) legs taking in the Heart-of-Wales line (circular rover purchased). 13 hour round trip and 50+ stops. Mrs W was well impressed

2. Northfield to Euston with weekend 1st upgrade (2 x £15) to see the Van Gough Sunflowers (both versions on rare display together) at the National Gallery. Spoiled a little by the 1st Class compartment being invaded and rammed on the way back by passengers who had no intention of paying the upgrade. No evidence of the conductor checking tickets so we decanted at Milton Keynes and picked up the following (virtually empty) train.

 

[Techniquest]

Birmingham to Lichfield is all 323s, Birmingham to Rugeley is 170s (both 2 and 3 car trains) with some 153s added to some trains. Hereford is almost all 170s, some with a 153 attached on peak trains, plus a couple of services booked for a 150/1. Shrewsbury is also 170 dominated on LM services, again with a 153 on some busy trains but sometimes it's pairs of 170s as it was on 1105 New Street to Shrewsbury last Monday.

Crewe to Euston via Stoke is normally 350/1s, Birmingham to Liverpool is a mix of 350/1s and /2s but at least it's twice an hour. Redditch is also all 323s, as are the Walsall to Wolverhampton via New Street services, although occasionally you'll find a 350/2 on those.

Snow Hill lines (Worcester to Dorridge and Stratford-upon-Avon via Stourbridge anf Birmingham Snow Hill) is almost all 172/2s and /3s, although a few workings see a 153+170 combination, one being the 1317 from Worcester to Dorridge I believe. Finally Nuneaton to Coventry is single 153s even at peak times.

As for where to go, Stratford-upon-Avon's nice enough to visit for a few hours. Liverpool's good for a busier environment and plenty to do up there tourism wise. Stoke's not bad, although I've no idea what to see there lol. Hereford's got a cathedral and Mappa Mundi if that's your thing, Worcester also has a cathedral. Kidderminster of course has the SVR next door to the mainline.

Enjoy your trip wherever you go

 

[gordonthemoron]

you could also stop off at the Jewellery Quarter in Brum, the Rose Villa Tavern is v.nice

 

[oversteer]

Stoke's not bad, although I've no idea what to see there lol

Alton Towers!

 

[Greenback]

What about Hereford? It's a pleasant run down through Malvern and Ledbury if you haven't been that way before.

 

[anthony263]

I agree with Greenback about the run between Worcester and Hereford.

 

[Techniquest]

Aye it's a nice enough run down from New Street to Hereford, my local LM route Don't even have to stay for long, only 20-25 minutes on average between arrival and departure on most daytime services

 

[Gathursty]

The Stourbridge Branch line is quite a novelty. It seemed everyone who was on it couldn't help wearing a smirk when riding on it. I'd like to try the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton section, Stratford-upon-Avon all shacks service and the weekend Bordesley stopper.

 

[LowLevel]

A visit to the tea rooms on Great Malvern station is always worthwhile - they do a lovely lunch!

 

[Crossover]

I agree that the line between Worcester and Hereford is rather picturesque - I just got moaned at last time as we had to "endure" it on a 172, rather than a 170. It also gives you an opportunity for a circular - one way via Stourbridge and another via the Lickey.

The PPM at Stourbridge is worth a go, if just for the novelty value. You are warned though, if you think a Pacer is unrefined on jointed and curved track, you've seen nothing yet!