My idea for Birmingham"Ring-rail"

[ABB125]

As Birmingham has lots of motorways, I thought it might be time for a new Birmingham "ring-rail":

It would start at Stourbridge, following existing route as far as Stourbridge North Junction, before branching off to Round Oak. This route (3.5 miles) would be upgraded to mainline standard.

The mothballed line from Round Oak to Walsall (7.5 miles) would be reconnected and upgraded to mainline standard.

Then the freight only Walsall to Water Orton (11.5 miles) would be upgraded to mainline standard. This would then create a 22.5 mile "Birmingham avoiding line" for freight, and new passenger services.

The route could then be extended down to Kings Norton via Camp Hill (10 miles) to create a horseshoe shape.

Finally, a new build railway could be created between Kings Norton and Stourbridge, creating a full loop.

Given Network Rail's current costings, I would estimate the cost to be around £14 billion. Adding electrification would bring the cost up to £36 billion.

What do you think?

 

[Harbornite]

Where would this new Kings Norton to Stourbridge railway go? Have you actually looked into the costs or have those figures been pulled straight out of your arse?

In theory, you could reopen the Halesowen branch to give you a Stourbridge- Kings Norton route but this would be rather difficult nowadays due to redevelopment of the trackbed at the Halesowen and Longbridge ends of the line. I think there have been proposals for Birmingham services to go via Camp Hill, Sutton Park and back round via Walsall. This could be done now if there was stock available.

When I saw the title, I assumed it would be about the ring that connects Birmingham New Street's east and west tunnels via Hamstead and Aston.

 

[Llanigraham]

One simple question.............

WHY?

 

[route:oxford]

One simple question.............

WHY?

A service from a Moor Street terminal platform could head North?

 

[Llanigraham]

A service from a Moor Street terminal platform could head North?

And? :roll:

 

[Gathursty]

Would it be called Birmingham Overground?

 

[mr_jrt]

If you were going to spend that kind of silly money and endure the associated disruption, wouldn't widening the existing tunnels be better value? i.e. 4 tracks between Moor St. and Snow Hill and more capacity between Curzon St. and New St...

 

[Harbornite]

A service from a Moor Street terminal platform could head North?

Errm you don't need to do all of this crap to have northbound services from Moor Street. All you need to do is install a north-facing curve between the camp hill and Chiltern line at Bordesley.
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If you were going to spend that kind of silly money and endure the associated disruption, wouldn't widening the existing tunnels be better value? i.e. 4 tracks between Moor St. and Snow Hill and more capacity between Curzon St. and New St...

Probably not, that would be a very complex and disruptive job.

 

[ABB125]

Have you actually looked into the costs or have those figures been pulled straight out of your arse?

2nd option.

I was thinking it could be more of an M25 style route designed to handle lots of freight traffic. Maybe there could be an "outer ring" for long distance services, and an "inner ring"(Aston route) for more local services.

 

[The Planner]

Look at where the freight goes currently first before drawing lines to places they dont actually need to go.

 

[Harbornite]

2nd option.

I was thinking it could be more of an M25 style route designed to handle lots of freight traffic. Maybe there could be an "outer ring" for long distance services, and an "inner ring"(Aston route) for more local services.

Sadly there isn't that much freight on a southwest - North axis so there isn't a real need to reopen the south staffs line; as of June 2016 there was even less when coal traffic to and from Rugeley ceased. What remains of Traffic from the Southwest can go via Kings Norton and Camp Hill or via Stourbridge and Soho. The busiest route for freight in Birmingham is the old Midland line to Derby and as we know, the Sutton Park line can be used for freight so there isn't much of a need to build a new stourbridge- Kings Norton railway or to reopen the South Staffs. I'd rather see a new circular service from Moor Street to Snow Hill via Stratford, Honeybourne and Worcester via the reopened line between Stratford and Long Marston.

The inner ring of Birmingham is already well served with passenger trains going to Walsall via Bescot, Wolverhampton via Tipton and Sutton Colfield/ Lichfield via Aston.