London Midland Trains

[markcf83]

The problems surrounding overcrowding on trains stems back to when certain franchises were let on a zero growth basis-two that spring prominently to mind are Northern and Arriva Trains Wales. I would guess London Midland might have been let on its existing franchise on a basis of minimal growth or zero growth.

[T840MAK]

The problems surrounding overcrowding on trains stems back to when certain franchises were let on a zero growth basis-two that spring prominently to mind are Northern and Arriva Trains Wales. I would guess London Midland might have been let on its existing franchise on a basis of minimal growth or zero growth.

I believe LM was minimal growth, with that growth being focused on main corridors - i.e. the two new batches of 350s, plus the ten TP ones which will be with LM in the next franchise. The 172s replaced a like-for-like number of 150 carriages iirc.

[Bob]

They've been getting hammered in the papers and twitter recent weeks. This week the 8.oo from Landywood was 25 min late Monday,  had faulty brakes and finally got to brum 9.15 ish.they sent 2 carriages Wednesday on same journey instead of 4 leading to from Landywood onwards people being left behind. I use it every day. It's nearly always late into  and out of brum. Always overcrowded and unpleasant. Standing daily. The 5.42 from brum left after 6pm yesterday. It's a shit shit service. We need express buses into brum. People use the train cos there's no other choice. Terrible service. Turbostars aren't great for the service far far too many tables meaning many less seats, narrow interiors no opening windows, someone collapsed on the two carriage ( inbound) one last sat due to overcrowding. Disgusting

[Westy]

They've been getting hammered in the papers and twitter recent weeks. This week the 8.oo from Landywood was 25 min late Monday,  had faulty brakes and finally got to brum 9.15 ish.they sent 2 carriages Wednesday on same journey instead of 4 leading to from Landywood onwards people being left behind. I use it every day. It's nearly always late into  and out of brum. Always overcrowded and unpleasant. Standing daily. The 5.42 from brum left after 6pm yesterday. It's a shit shit service. We need express buses into brum. People use the train cos there's no other choice. Terrible service. Turbostars aren't great for the service far far too many tables meaning many less seats, narrow interiors no opening windows, someone collapsed on the two carriage ( inbound) one last sat due to overcrowding. Disgusting

One of the bus companies should be across this.

Compare with the Cannock X51's of a morning.

There's plenty of space on the vehicles,  but unless you are in the know, in the Cannock area, no one knows about it!

[Tony]

If anyone fancies venturing out to see something different tonight

5Z20 1840 Tyseley Steam to Dorridge
 
5Z23 2009 return
 
5Z26 2048 Tyseley Lms
 
5Z30 2209 Lms Tyseley

These are the first test runs of the class 230 (EX LT Tube stock)

[Bob]

Chase line service was ABYSMAL this morning. The 753 from Hednesford showed up on board as on time. Then ten minutes before it was due, CANCELLED! To add insult to injury injury,  the 8.23 was 15 minutes late and a two car train. From Landywood onwards people were left behind. Last Wednesday the 4 car 7.53 was a TWO CAR leading again to people left behind. This chase line trains are late daily, and lots of faults with trains. I don't remember this level of crap service and breakdowns with Sprinters

[Bob]

So this morning the 6.06 and 6.51 are cancelled. ...and the 7.16 is late....how are people supposed to get to work? ???????? How do they get away with this DAILY?

[Bob]

Looking at the board the 8.23 from Hednesford looks cancelled also

[JIM H]

New DMU 230001 ecs working through Solihull to Leaminton Spa at 19.13

[Tony]

So this morning the 6.06 and 6.51 are cancelled. ...and the 7.16 is late....how are people supposed to get to work? ???????? How do they get away with this DAILY?

Neither actually cancelled, both ran just very late, but if you are using this for one of you 'The Railways should be nationalised' reasons have a look at the cause.

Points failure just north of Rugeley Trent Valley station trapping both early trains which had actually got there on time, now who owns and maintains the points? Oh yes - Nationalised Network Rail!

[Bob]

But they're late EVERY DAY Tony.  Overcrowded to unsafe levels too.  Last Friday the 170 had yet again a fault and was 25 min late out of brum. They're not suitable the seats are too big and not enough of them. Loads of not needed table seats? Say what you like about BR the Chase line is extremely shit now in comparison.  Sprinters had more seats as well. It's in no way a good service

[tphi12000]

Neither actually cancelled, both ran just very late, but if you are using this for one of you 'The Railways should be nationalised' reasons have a look at the cause.

Points failure just north of Rugeley Trent Valley station trapping both early trains which had actually got there on time, now who owns and maintains the points? Oh yes - Nationalised Network Rail!

Glad you mentioned that Tony did wonder why there was a 170 stopped on the main line when I passed on the bypass about 655.

[B61 ANDREW]

If anyone fancies venturing out to see something different tonight
These are the first test runs of the class 230 (EX LT Tube stock)

Can it be confirmed that LM are to trial one of these units ??  ;D Also, I guess they can run with Classes 150/170 etc ??  ???

[Roy]

Can it be confirmed that LM are to trial one of these units ??  ;D Also, I guess they can run with Classes 150/170 etc ??  ???

There is to be a one year trial on the Coventry to Nuneaton route.

[Bob]

Another example of how crap the Chase line is. I got off early today, great I can get 15.12 I thought.  Got on. We sat there till 15.33 with NO EXPLANATION as to what the hell was going on then an announcement that the 15.42 was moved to platform 1a cue horrendous rush for a crappy 2 car set cue yet again dangerous overcrowding.  The 15.12 still sat there with the lights off. Absolute joke