West Midlands Railway

[Sh4318]

Smethwick already has 5 direct trains to London Marylebone in the mornings, stopping at Smethwick Galton Bridge, but I'm sure a more regular service would be welcomed, not to mention how there are none that stop at Smethwich GB from London.

I'm aware of that. I've been a regular user of the station for about 7 years now. There is also the 07:44 M-F LNR service to Euston & a return from Euston arriving at 23:17

[mikestone]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-43259340
;
but would seem they only have Warwickshire's say so.

[Roy]

It was announced at the Railfuture AGM on Saturday that the CAF DMUs would be designated Class 196/0 and 196/2.  The Cross City EMUs were likely to be Class 730 but this is still to be confirmed.

[BusMan Greg]

The cross city line will not be the same without the class 323's

[Isle of Stroma]

The cross city line will not be the same without the class 323's

The cross-city line hasn't been the same since the 116s. ;-)

[BusMan Greg]

May I ask were the class 323's will be going after abellio have washed there hands of them in a couple of years or so

[Bob]

The cross-city line hasn't been the same since the 116s. ;-)

Was it only 116s when it was diesel? Or other types too?

[Sh4318]

May I ask were the class 323's will be going after abellio have washed there hands of them in a couple of years or so

I've heard rumours that they're going to Northern. Only rumours, however

[Isle of Stroma]

Was it only 116s when it was diesel? Or other types too?

High density 116s were the staple kit, although whatever TS had to hand (low density 100,101,105) could appear.

[Bob]

High density 116s were the staple kit, although whatever TS had to hand (low density 100,101,105) could appear.

When the Chase Line first reopened it had all sorts of Heritage DMUS my favourite was always 115s. Dont remember them being on it much tho. Itwas usually a 1st gen with Blue and green checked seats. Not sure what they were

[The Real 4778]

I've heard rumours that they're going to Northern. Only rumours, however

It would make sense, however, 323s don't feature at all in the future fleet plan for Arriva, even the present Northern ones.  It is possible they may trade some Porterbrook 319s for displaced and better performing 323s, but then you would expect the ones already operating from LG to stay. 

The only benefit that the West Midlands 323s will have over their Northern counterparts by then will be the mods carried out to meet Abellio's minimum train spec for December 2018.

[BusMan Greg]

What do these mods consist of

[The Real 4778]

What do these mods consist of

I can't precisely recall what each fleet requires to achieve compliance, but they are a combination of tweaks to meet the PRM-TSI and certain committed minimum passenger requirements.  It will be from the list of ethernet backbone, PIS displays, CCTV, WiFi, door controls and toilet changes etc....

[Kevin]

Coventry-Leamington services not yet cancelled w/c 30 th April- overlooked or really going to start?

Actually started today

[Sh4318]

Actually started today

Using 153s or 172s?