Thanks for this video. It's a view folks like myself never normally get no matter how often we use the trains. It brought out the utter simplicity of the basic idea railways in that it is metal on metal. Welded rails and great suspension have such benefits!
So many platforms at new street yet still have to wait for ages for one. Strange how i am sitting at home watching this and yet still getting annoyed by the wait!
Nice view of Curzon Street while waiting for the signal into New St. Interesting that despite the flyover to avoid conflicting paths trains are still held up into New St.
Surprised there was no stop at Hampton In Arden. Today this line is a lot better as the majority of the trains now leave Coventry, stop at Canley, Tile Hill, Berkswell, Hampton in Arden and Birmingham International and then goes non stop to New Street. There’s another train now that goes between Birmingham International to Lichfield that services Marston Green, Lea Hall, Stechford and ‘sometimes’ Adderley Park’
Great video. How things have changed since I used the line almost daily in 1970's 80's. Canley and Tile Hill level crossings gone as has the Tile Hill down loop. Also major changes outside New Street.
The way people stare ominously at the train when it arrives. 34:55 I take it drivers are used to it, because I feel really awkward when I give drivers a wave sometimes when the train arrives (even if I don't have a camera on me), but I feel like even smiling would be better than staring at the train like it's not about to do you a favour in a couple of minutes. I really appreciated these videos though because they have a nice ambience.
Getting rid of that level crossing has made a huge difference along that line in terms of speed limits. Fantasy railway: The line electrified from Nuneaton to Coventry to Leamington Spa. Coundon Station re-opened as part of a Coventry (WMR) Metro Rail service to Bedworth or Nuneaton. Willenhall to get it's own station with bay platform as the terminating point for Birmingham to Coventry services, and mainlines for LNWR rush hour services. A LNWR or Chiltern Rail Service from Nuneaton to Leamington Spa.
A nostalgia trip for me! Rare weekends returning from Cov Uni to my folks' in Birmingham; jump on the EMU at Cov, ride to New Street then a quick sprint up'n'over to the Cross-City DMU (116 or 117 or blends thereof) to Selly Oak where I'd be picked-up for a welcome few days' respite from the madness. Seems like the timings have been relaxed between Cov and BNS; it was somewhat of a lottery whether I'd get a 304 or a 310 on this service but both seemed to be roundly thrashed for the entire trip each time! Great fun at the time but maybe a touch of rose-tinting on my part. Excellent vid, sir.
I attended the Lanchester College of Technology back in the 1960's. 'The Lanch' later became Cov Uni I believe. Greetings from a Brit residing in the USA.
What’s with the rusted pieces of track between the rails? I see that a lot and I don’t know if it’s just for storage or planning to use that as replacement rail. 🤷♂️
This is the AWS - a warning system intended so drivers are aware of green signals (the single "ping") and take action at red or amber signals (continuous tone which must be canceled)
Nice video. Did anyone besides me notice the squirrel crossing tracks at 20:23 then in front of train as it begins to move? Hmm hope poor fella made it never seen it after train moved over it :( safe travel ahead. God bless.
350s are good units. Smooth ride, decent seats, and quiet. None of which can be said for some of the latest units to have entered service, some of which are unfit for purpose. That said I do miss having an 86/87 hauling a Mk3 set on the WCML. You got a sense of occasion with them that clinical modern trains just don't replicate.
