Chase line back in the day

[Bob]

I remember them being pretty comfy especially the seats. And the electric trains from Walsall were far,far superior comfort wise to Class 323s,  they've got horrid seating and crap legroom

[Tony]

I remember them being pretty comfy especially the seats. And the electric trains from Walsall were far,far superior comfort wise to Class 323s,  they've got horrid seating and crap legroom

Very similar to the class 150s you keep saying you want back

[Bob]

Class 150 seats have much more padding than a 323. And yes I'd rather be sat with less legroom than stood in a door area with no handrails!

[Bob]

Although top speed is lower aren't sprinters supposedly slightly better at acceleration than 170s

[The Real 4778]

Here's a class 45 at Bloxwich in 1982. Note the 20mph speed restriction board. One of many!

Think that's a little later than '82, based on the bashers, white embellishments, coach livery and the square headlight.  I'd be suggesting nearer 1985 or '86.

[Bob]

When would have been the last time the Heritage DMUs were used on the Chase Line? Did any make it to Birmingham after the extension? I know Tyseley were still running quite a few even in 1994....But had the Chase line been sprinterised by then???

[Bob]

Did they ever use the old DMUs on the Birmingham to Walsall line on occasion despite it being electrified? I'm sure I've seen photos of them used on it

[BusMan Greg]

Correct me if I'm wrong but did the chase line terminate at hednesford in the 90s till they extended the line to rugeley

[DJ]

Correct me if I'm wrong but did the chase line terminate at hednesford in the 90s till they extended the line to rugeley

It was extended back to Hednesford from Walsall in 1989, then to Rugeley Town in 1997, and then onwards to the Trent Valley and Stafford in 1998, before being cut back to Rugeley Trent Valley in 2008.

[WMT3000]

Think that's a little later than '82, based on the bashers, white embellishments, coach livery and the square headlight.  I'd be suggesting nearer 1985 or '86.

Must be '86 i reckon due to the intercity liveried coaching stock.

[Bob]

Can anyome remember when 150s started running full time on the chase line and the first generation DMUs stopped being used? 116s were still just about used as late as 1995 but dont recall them still on chase line at that point

[888DUK]

Anyone know when Walsall-Rugeley electrification is due to be completed.
It seems to be taking forever.

[BusMan Greg]

These things don't just happen from a click of a finger. Things like this take time

[Tony]

Anyone know when Walsall-Rugeley electrification is due to be completed.
It seems to be taking forever.

Electric services are due to start with the December 2018 timetable change.

The wiring looks like it could be finished in time, but they'll need to start on the platform extensions soon to meet that deadline