126 Birmingham to Wolverhampton

[P419 EJW]

Talking about through bus services between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, how many people remember the 258?  It was introduced when Harts Hill garage was closed in about 1993 and ran via Bearwood, Blackheath, Merry Hill, Kingswinford, Swindon and Wombourne.  It was a half hourly service using Metrobuses, and replaced service 566 at the Wolverhampton end.  I can't remember which garage was operated it - it could have been jointly operated by Hockley and Wolverhampton. 

It lasted until 1996 when it was split at Merry Hill, with the 258 operating to Birmingham and the new 260 operating to Wolverhampton using brand-new route branded B10B's (I think 1378-1381).

I remember the old 258! I think it was operated by Wolverhampton garage, and it was a monster of a route! I recall catching it from Wolverhampton one day when I was bored, took about an hour to get to Merry Hill then another hour and a half to get to Birmingham!

When the 258 first invented in 1993 it was operated by Wolverhampton .
By 1995 Hockley Garage took over the service. I remember once in 1995
I saw Timesaver 2918 on it. So I took a ride in it all the way to Birmingham.
Great route quiet loads of countryside nice views. In 1996 the route was split at
Merry Hill.
By October 2000 due to driver shortage at Hockley the route passed to Wolverhampton.
The relief was in Merry Hill so I guess it could take 1-1 hour 30 mins in Travelling Time.
Metrobuses 2692 2831 3042 3052 3089 3090 3122 passed to Wolverhampton with the Service.

By May 2002 the 258 passed to Pensnett using EX Acocks Green Volvo B10B 1371-1377
Brought in for the service.

Not sure when it was withdrawn around 2010 and don't know what routes have
Replaced it. Anyone?

I think most of the 258 route is covered by 127 (Birmingham to Blackheath). Blackheath to Merry Hill Centre is... well, it used to be 289 before it curtailed to Old Hill. I think it's 276 from Merry Hill Centre to Saltwells Road/289 from Cole Street to Blackheath. I hope I'm right, anyone can correct me, I'm happy with that.

[Westy]

The 258, from remembering leaflets of the time, was replaced evenings & Sunday's by a 127, wasn't it?

[P419 EJW]

The 258, from remembering leaflets of the time, was replaced evenings & Sunday's by a 127, wasn't it?

Correct - a full length of the route from/to Merry Hill Centre - Birmingham.

[davey]

The 258, from remembering leaflets of the time, was replaced evenings & Sunday's by a 127, wasn't it?

Correct - a full length of the route from/to Merry Hill Centre - Birmingham.

Correct with the replacement services of the 258 to blackheath. Can remember when the 258 ran alongside the 276 from cole street when the latter used to terminate at merry hill / brierley hill. Buses every few minutes - didn't last long though!

I believe (correct me if I'm mistaken) the 127 replaced it as far as cole street however then took the route of the then 238 through old hill, cradley Heath and Dudley wood and rejoined at coppice lane, where all 238, 258 and 276 ran to merry hill.

Good old days

[P419 EJW]

The 258, from remembering leaflets of the time, was replaced evenings & Sunday's by a 127, wasn't it?

Correct - a full length of the route from/to Merry Hill Centre - Birmingham.

Correct with the replacement services of the 258 to blackheath. Can remember when the 258 ran alongside the 276 from cole street when the latter used to terminate at merry hill / brierley hill. Buses every few minutes - didn't last long though!

I believe (correct me if I'm mistaken) the 127 replaced it as far as cole street however then took the route of the then 238 through old hill, cradley Heath and Dudley wood and rejoined at coppice lane, where all 238, 258 and 276 ran to merry hill.

Good old days

Good old days, indeed! ;D ;D I miss the route 258. (Edit: Oops, it seems the 126 thread becomes to be a 258 thread. :P )

[sonic84]

The 127 had a slightly different route coming into Blackheath from town with the 258 running from Hurst Green via Rowley Regis Station into Blackheath.  The 127 ran from Hurst Green via Shell Corner and Long Lane into Blackheath.

There was also a 258A early morning variant for those of you who remember, which either commenced from or terminated at Cradley Heath Interchange.

[Sh4318]

The 258 also served Sandon Road and then Hagley Road, the 127 serves City Road and Portman Road

[sonic84]

When the 127 was the evening variant of the 258 it used to serve Hagley Road and Sandon Road.

It was only once the 88/129/258 were withdrawn, that the 127 became an all day service, and was rerouted to serve Portland Road and City Road, and was curtailed to run to Blackheath only.

[Liverpool Street]

So what's the way the 126 goes out of the City Centre? I've seen some turn right up Hill Street from Smallbrook and others go up to Holloway Head and turn right? And the NXWM website says its going to keep with the 'tunnel route' around the city?

[Tony]

So what's the way the 126 goes out of the City Centre? I've seen some turn right up Hill Street from Smallbrook and others go up to Holloway Head and turn right? And the NXWM website says its going to keep with the 'tunnel route' around the city?

I believe it is now to stay on the Hill Street route which it should have been taking for the last two months

[Trident 4609]

So what's the way the 126 goes out of the City Centre? I've seen some turn right up Hill Street from Smallbrook and others go up to Holloway Head and turn right? And the NXWM website says its going to keep with the 'tunnel route' around the city?

I believe it is now to stay on the Hill Street route which it should have been taking for the last two months

Tony, Is it correct that the 82/7 will serve Colmore Row on a Permanant basis?

[Lukeee]

So what's the way the 126 goes out of the City Centre? I've seen some turn right up Hill Street from Smallbrook and others go up to Holloway Head and turn right? And the NXWM website says its going to keep with the 'tunnel route' around the city?

I believe it is now to stay on the Hill Street route which it should have been taking for the last two months

Tony, Is it correct that the 82/7 will serve Colmore Row on a Permanant basis?

Yes they will

[Trident 4609]

Thanks for that Luke ;) I was sure i read it on a notice today but couldn't rememb Thanks again :)er.

[nitromatt1]

The 82/87's new route around the city centre provides a second link between Moor Street and Snow Hill/Colmore Row (along with the 16) for those of us too lazy to walk across the city centre (me.)

[barry]

Saw 5510 on the 126 tonight by the old Hen and Chickens at Causeway Green at 7.50pm. I drive the Wolverhampton Rd all the time and this is the first Hybrid I've ever seen on the route - is it a rarity or am I missing something?