Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury Electrification

[DJ]

Plans have been submitted to ministers to electrify the line from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton, as reported by the Express & Star.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2021/06/01/faster-trains-through-wolverhampton-planned-as-line-to-shrewsbury-electrified/

[mikestone]

Midlands Connect might have more influence if they moved into the twenty-first century -
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The lack of electrification on the first stage of the line from Shrewsbury means that currently, trains travelling to London need to change engines at Birmingham, adding to cost to the train operators and delay for passengers.
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And of course Avanti have Cl.805s in build.

[DJ]

Midlands Connect might have more influence if they moved into the twenty-first century -
.
The lack of electrification on the first stage of the line from Shrewsbury means that currently, trains travelling to London need to change engines at Birmingham, adding to cost to the train operators and delay for passengers.
;
And of course Avanti have Cl.805s in build.

Yeah, I noticed that. I guess it could mean bi-modes would be more feasable for TfWales though, and WMR could run electrics to Shrewsbury.

[bususer28]

Plans have been submitted to ministers to electrify the line from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton, as reported by the Express & Star.

https://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport/2021/06/01/faster-trains-through-wolverhampton-planned-as-line-to-shrewsbury-electrified/

Really?!?!? Personally I think electrifying even at least part of the Snow Hill Line would make a lot more sense.

[Tony]

Really?!?!? Personally I think electrifying even at least part of the Snow Hill Line would make a lot more sense.

Why would electrifying 'part' of the Snow Hill lines make more sense?

Shrewsbury is the last place on the West Coast network not diesel, so could go to an all electric fleet, and unlike the Snow Hill lines the West Midlands Trains are self contained, so it would eliminate diesel from New Street on their network as well

[mikestone]

And the North Wales Coast - that must be a better bet for Welsh Assembly funded electrification, making the 805s in build available to work to Shrewsbury - it would certainly be a better use of funding than their bonkers scheme for a half-hourly service to Trawsfyndd!

[DJ]

Why would electrifying 'part' of the Snow Hill lines make more sense?

Shrewsbury is the last place on the West Coast network not diesel, so could go to an all electric fleet, and unlike the Snow Hill lines the West Midlands Trains are self contained, so it would eliminate diesel from New Street on their network as well

It wouldn't eliminate it, WMR still have the Hereford services, unless they re-routed them to go into Snow Hill.

[Kevin]

Wonder how long before the vegetation starts moaning about wires ruining the look of Shrewsbury?

In all seriousness though, it does seem a bit of an isolated route to electricity. Only the locals to Brum and the odd West Coast service which can easily be in the hands of a bi-mode. Plus there will still be diesel TfW services running and I can't envisage them getting bi-modes for the Cambrian lines. Progress is progress though