Redditch - Bromsgrove area

[KTHV]

As I'm not au-fait with the intricacies of the rail network (despite living near to and using the Worcester Triangle on a daily basis) - it always struck me as strange that to get from Redditch to Bromsgrove involves an indirect journey to change at University or Birmingham - and spending a great part of the journey doubling back on the same track (through Bournville, Kings Norton etc).

Can anyone shed light on why there couldn't be a direct train between the two?

 

[Harbornite]

As I'm not au-fait with the intricacies of the rail network (despite living near to and using the Worcester Triangle on a daily basis) - it always struck me as strange that to get from Redditch to Bromsgrove involves an indirect journey to change at University or Birmingham - and spending a great part of the journey doubling back on the same track (through Bournville, Kings Norton etc).

Can anyone shed light on why there couldn't be a direct train between the two?

There is a direct service to Bromsgrove from Barnt Green, it consists of two trains a day in each direction from Hereford and Great Malvern that call at Barnt Green in the morning and evening. This will change when the Cross city gets extended to Bromsgrove as we will will see a more regular service of electric trains serving both Barnt Green and Bromsgrove.

The reason why Redditch doesn't have direct trains to Bromsgrove is that it has a frequent service to Barnt Green and University/ New Street where you can catch trains to Bromsgrove. Also, the junction faces Birmingham so a Bromsgrove to Redditch train would have to reverse anyway in order to access the branch.

 

[KTHV]

Thanks for the explanation - always found it a bit strange!

Got a service from Alvechurch yesterday - quite like what they've done with the development there - same with Bromsgrove.

 

[gg1]

Also the fact that if such a service did exist, the likely journey time would be around 20 minutes which is no quicker than the current bus service from Redditch bus station to Bromsgrove railway station.

 

[pistonvalve]

When is the Barnt Green - Bromsgrove electrification to start? I understand the Lickey incline will be closed for two weeks, what is the diversion route for main line trains?

Mike

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I would have thought out of New Street via Galton Jn and Kidderminster to Worcester then back in at Abbotswood.

 

[PHILIPE]

I would have thought out of New Street via Galton Jn and Kidderminster to Worcester then back in at Abbotswood.

That would bring you out south of Bromsgrove.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

That would bring you out south of Bromsgrove.

I thought the poster was asking what diversionary route mainline (i.e. Birmingham-Cheltenham and beyond) would take when Lickey is shut?

 

[PHILIPE]

I thought the poster was asking what diversionary route mainline (i.e. Birmingham-Cheltenham and beyond) would take when Lickey is shut?

No. How to get from Redditch to Bromsgrove and also if possible to get a direct train.

 

[Darandio]

No. How to get from Redditch to Bromsgrove and also if possible to get a direct train.

No. MidnightFlyer was responding to post #5. Nothing to do with Bromsgrove.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

LM and XC services normally via the Lickey will be diverted via Kidderminster and Worcester.
Hereford services will be thinned out as far as Worcester, and some Stratford-Birmingham-Kidderminster-Worcester services will not run beyond Birmingham to make room.
10 days, 26 October-4 November.
Buses Longbridge-Bromsgrove-Droitwich/Ashchurch.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/currentAndFuture.aspx?TravelDate=27/10/2016&TOC=lm

 

[MidnightFlyer]

No. MidnightFlyer was responding to post #5. Nothing to do with Bromsgrove.

Indeed I was, cheers. I do have a habit of not quoting the relevant post if it's the last one made!

 

[pistonvalve]

Thank you all,

I notice from google earth aerial photographs one platform side at Bromsgrove is devoid of track, will this be added later?

There appears to be no 'up' line relief to stable heavy freight whilst awaiting a banker! Are freight trains banked up the incline these days? Showing my age now!!

Mike.

 

[edwin_m]

From what I've read elsewhere:

Of the four platforms, the westernmost is the loop where freight will wait for a banker, so presumably won't have passenger trains very often (and may not at all until re-signalling, if it is still designated as a Goods loop). The next one is the Up Main and the other centre one is currently the Down Main but will become the turnback platform for Cross-City. The Down Main will be re-routed into the easternmost platform, but that apparently couldn't be done until the old station was demolished to make space.

 

[snowball]

Before this thread was started, the main discussion of Bromsgrove electrification and new station was in the following thread:

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=107512

 

[Bevan Price]

As I'm not au-fait with the intricacies of the rail network (despite living near to and using the Worcester Triangle on a daily basis) - it always struck me as strange that to get from Redditch to Bromsgrove involves an indirect journey to change at University or Birmingham - and spending a great part of the journey doubling back on the same track (through Bournville, Kings Norton etc).

Can anyone shed light on why there couldn't be a direct train between the two?

It would be too expensive to have a direct railway between "everywhere" and "everywhere else". At the time railways were built, Redditch was much smaller, and there was probably insufficient need for a service to Bromsgrove, compared with a greater demand for travel to Birmingham.

(As a historical note, the railway from Barnt Green to Redditch originally extended to Alcester, Evesham & Ashchurch. Passenger services south of Redditch / Alcester ceased in 1962, before the Beeching Report was published. )