Redditch double tracking

[swt_passenger]

So I take it the rolling stock for this will come from the 17 323's that are due to be transfered from Northern to LM in 2014?

I reckon (despite DfT having never mentioned it formally anywhere I've seen) that plan, announced in the original rolling stock plan, died with the NW electrification, and the realisation that they would use second hand 319s for Northern services.

Other subsequent factors that suggest it is not going to happen include the ex-Scotrail 322s going to Northern, and LM ordering more 350s, and retaining 7 x 321s that they weren't expecting. Taken all together this seriously affected the original DfT plans for EMU reallocation...

 

[Old Timer]

The West Suburban must be close to capacity as it stands now with a 10 minute frequency CrossCity service. Punctuality approaching Kings Norton or departing New St is absolutely critical otherwise we can start to see a rapid fall in the punctuality of the CrossCity line.

By far the best option would be to remodel the section from Kings Norton to Barnt Green into a Fast and Slow lines pairing option. In this case all non stop and class 1 services would depart New St at the south end and run via the Camp Hill line. The existing Down Slow and Down Fast would become Down and Up fast respectively and Longbridge Down platform moved into the existing Down fast alignment.

The Fast lines would run to Barnt Green where they would then run towards Redditch. A new high speed junction on the straight at Cofton would allow the routes to be reversed to the opposite sides. Thus trains would run Camp Hill, and continue at speed onto the new Down Fast to Cofton. In the opposte direction, Up trains would continue at speed direct from Barnt Green.

In this way you remove the Kings Norton Junction problems, you keep the Longbridge terminators away from the Fast services, especially at Halesowen Jct, and you keep the Wst Suburban as a secondary route only.

Yet another benefit of this layout would be the ability to simply extend towards Halesowen if that ever became an aspiration again.

An alternative to the above would be the construction of a flyover at Kings Norton to take the existing Down West Suburban over the Down and Up Camp Hill lines so as to remove the existing flat junction but I doubt there is sufficient room to gain height from the platforms unless the junction was shift out some way.

 

[Class172]

There is an old loop at the junction that dived under the Camp Hill before linking back up with the line to University. Whether that could be utilised I don't know.

I do also like the eventual reopening of the line to Halesowen (and beyond) - most of the rescinds is still intact.

 

[Trog]

A planned timetable has already been performance modelled on the options that there were (and there were over 6 from what I have heard), this loop has been chosen as it is the cheapest based on the possible delays that could be incurred. It doesnt mean it is the best option operationally.

I think most of the other options, did not allow the train service they wanted regardless of cost.

 

[whhistle]

Don't need more double track, put the loop where the trains would naturally cross then you don't have an issue.

Until one train is running 10/15 mins late that is :P

 

[T8KE0FF]

Having lived in both Redditch for 3 years and Bromsgrove for 2 years, I can say that what we really need is a decent rail link between the 2 towns. It's just ridiculous having to go all the way up to University and back again! I used to go from Redditch to Barnt Green to Bromsgrove in the mornings (as 1 or 2 peak services from New St to Hereford call at Barnt Green) to get to school, which wasn't that bad. So either they should make the current services from Bromsgrove stop at Barnt Green or build a loop (The bus service form Bromsgrove to Redditch is only 1bph). Also, a hourly train service from Bromsgrove isn't good enough. I don't really know that much about engineering and how it all works, but that's what we, the people, want.

As a side note, I went to school at 'South Bromsgrove High' (a 5 minute walk from the station) and we had 5 coaches going from Bromsgrove to Alvechurch and Barnt Green. I'm not saying replace school coaches with trains, but as kids make friends, they want to see them outside school, it's hard to get round there without getting the train to University! - Rant over.

 

[mumrar]

I do also like the eventual reopening of the line to Halesowen (and beyond) - most of the rescinds is still intact.

Not the important bit. The junction is now totally removed and where the line first passed under a bridge inside Rover, the bridge is being removed and I think earth is going in it's place. Either that or it will be covered by rock cages stacked up.

 

[Batman]

I thought the 17 extra 323's for LM was set in stone. Are there now doubts about that taking place?

The Cross City line could get an extra five 323's if the Walsall - Birmingham - Wolverhampton service goes over to 350's, if LM ever get anymore 350's (which they sould).

 

[swt_passenger]

I thought the 17 extra 323's for LM was set in stone. Are there now doubts about that taking place?

If the idea of a new fleet of EMUs for Northern by 2014 was going to happen, there would need to be an ITT by now. There isn't one yet, but more importantly there's never been so much as a rumour of one.

The Cross City line could get an extra five 323's if the Walsall - Birmingham - Wolverhampton service goes over to 350's, if LM ever get anymore 350's (which they sould).

They have just announced an order for 8 (or more) x 350s, without actually explaining which routes they are going to operate on...

 

[The Planner]

I think most of the other options, did not allow the train service they wanted regardless of cost.

Most did, but £££ win.
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Until one train is running 10/15 mins late that is :P

Where they will cape it back at Longbridge or Barnt Green as per now.