Cross City Line (Bromsgrove to Lichfield Trent Valley) - Driver's Eye View
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- Опубліковано 27 чер 2024
- Recorded for posterity, the Class 323s have since 1994 been the main trains operating on the Cross City Line and are due to be replaced by the brand new Class 730 Aventura trains at some point during 2024. We will be travelling on a six carriage service from Bromsgrove and travelling to Lichfield Trent Valley via Birmingham New Street a total distance of 33 miles.
The journey was filmed in the cold winter of early 2024 so the first part of the trip looks a bit frosty. Our trip will encompass six former railway companies, most noteable the Birmingham & Gloucester and Grand Junction Railways. In addition to this our train will traverse the Lickey Incline immediately on departure from Bromsgrove climbing at 1 in 37 for 2 miles - the steepest mainline gradient in the country.
The Cross City Line was a fasinating line to film through Birmingham and up to Lichfield Trent Valley, filmed just in time before all of the 323s are replaced though the units will be going to Northern in Manchester to work alongside their exsisting fleet. As always please like, comment, subscribe and even share this video will everyone and stayed tuned for more driver's eye views coming soon. All that is left now is for you to sit back relax and enjoy this journey on a Class 323 on the Cross City Line.
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Websites: www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/
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00:00 Intro/Bromsgrove
05:02 Barnt Green
08:00 Longbridge
10:12 Northfield
12:32 Kings Norton
15:16 Bourneville
17:18 Selly Oak
19:27 University
22:37 Five Ways
25:43 Birmingham New Street
32:28 Duddeston
33:42 Aston
36:43 Gravelly Hill
38:44 Erdington
40:34 Chester Road
42:34 Wylde Green
45:14 Sutton Coldfield
48:14 Four Oaks
50:44 Butlers Lane
52:24 Blake Street
56:05 Shenstone
1:00:25 Lichfield City
1:03:55 Lichfield Trent Valley
The 323’s were the first electric traction system (designed by Holec) in the uk which could regenerate into a 50 Hz overhead. They also had full brake “cross blending” (designed by me)so that the electro dynamic brake would work almost to a standstill ensuring maximum energy recovery and minimum pollution from brake dust etc. . They were indeed pioneering trains .
It's good to have a commentary rather than just a cab view. Thank you.
Useful to have a commentary , when it's an informative one, like this one ! So much better than the stupid loud music accompanying much of YT content 😞
@@daffyduk77 I agree 100%. I never return or subscribe to videos like that. Sadly, it is becoming the standard these days.
As ever well researched and very interesting.
This is a great video, very informative too.
When I worked at Bescot as an Area Freight Assistant, I remember one of the signalmen in Bescot Down Tower, a "Bunny" White, (if my memory is correct), who had once been signalman at Aston North Junction. This was apparently a reporting box, reporting trains to Birmingham Control. He told me that they always took an absolute AGE to answer the phone, so when they did, he would say "I was going to tell you the box had burnt down, but anyway...." Then one day the box did burn down !!
Regarding the section between Longbridge and Kings Norton only being electrified on the Slow Lines - on the first day of electric operations in 1993 it became apparent that this had not been clarified to the Regional Railways planning department, as a Class 310 EMU was allocated to the evening peak hour New Street-Redditch service which uniquely skipped Northfield and Longbridge and was booked via the down Fast. Unfortunately the driver accepted the route and ran off the end of the wire causing some damage and severe delay.
Excellent! I really enjoy your work. The commentary makes your Driver's Eye Views much more enjoyable than those with only subtitles. Keep them coming.
My local line :) nice video, thank you, used the line for 18 yearsto travel from lichfield to Birmingham for work, then when i could drive i drove to Four Oaks as at the time there were 6 trains an hour, only went down to 4 after COVID which, coincidentally i was made redundant and now found work for a company in Lichfield and work from home!
I vaguely remember as a kid Lichfield Trent Vally's 2nd platform, pre electrification, but i was probably only 7 or 8 at the time
It's a shame West Midlands seem to be going out of their way to destroy the aesthetic charm and look and feel of many of the stations. It's almost as though they keep finding "stuff" to add. Shenstone, thank fully has kept it's original look and feel.
Another excellent video, especially showcasing the the Northern section, not often seen. Some XC services do use the Camp Hill line to ensure drivers retain route knowledge for diversions. I was on one recently and the train manager helpfully announced we were taking an alternative route in case passengers thought something was wrong.
There are a few booked services over it as well, mostly those from or heading to Manchester that approach New St via the Stour Valley line. Using it avoids the need for a reversal there.
Recorded being the right word - the 323s are also used on Northern services in and around Manchester & their drive train makes that very distinctive sound as they accelerate away from a station! Once the 730s come into squadron service, the remaining 323s will all be moved up north and join their siblings in use on routes such as Manchester Piccadilly - Crewe/Stoke/Hazel Grove/Hadfield, Manchester Airport - Liverpool via Earlestown, Liverpool to Wigan North Western/Preston/Blackpool and Blackpool to Manchester Airport. One other minor point - the South Staffs line from Lichfield to Walsall closed to passengers in 1965, but survived for freight throughout until 1984. One that, in hindsight, perhaps should have been retained as a bypass route for Birmingham and direct access to Bescot yard.
In the early 2000s, there used to be one BR323 service a day (mid/late afternoon) that started at Four Oaks, carried on to Birmingham New Street, but then went off up to Liverpool Lime Street. Presumably a route knowledge operation.
I've travelled along part of this route numerous times when travelling to/from Worcester and yet from a driver's perspective, it's amazing how much I miss as a passenger.
What a wonderful video and a beautiful line. This cab ride was last done in 1994 I think by RailScene and in 1989 just before the DMU's were replaced. I have both of those Dvd's. Thank you so much for doing this. I just wish West Midlands Rail or whoever is in charge would stop destroying the aesthetic charm of this gorgeous line by adding unnecessary stuff to many of the stations and platforms. It's really spoiling the look of them and making them look too commercial. Thankfully, Shenstone still has kept it's original look and feel.
Looking forward to seeing how the 730s cope with the gradient from Bromsgrove. Great video 👍
So much work and research goes into making these high class videos. Thank you.
I used to travel on the Cross City line a lot when I use to travel to Birmingham and Lichfield.
Thank you so much for producing this most enjoyable video. It brings back lots of memories.
Excellent production and informative commentary
Thye sheer scale and ingenuity of the engineering works remain breathtaking. Sp much brickwork and detailing!
Much of it built when labour costs were, comparatively, dirt cheap, & I guess the material costs were factored in against a projected lifespan of 100+ years. Obviously, varying degrees of maint. & upgrades req'd in the meantime
A really interesting video showing how dense the railway network is in and around Birmingham
There are TWO cities with cathedrals with two spires- the other is Truro. My ex partner is from Lichfield, and my wife was born in Truro, so I've visited both!
Presume you menat 3 spires :), and Lichfield is one of 3, the 3rd being St Mary's in Edinburgh, there was another, Lincoln however when one of them collapsed it wasn't rebuilt.
Lichfield is by far the oldest, the only Medieval one.
Thanks Paul and Team, great video!
Well researched and present cab ride. Many thanks, Paul and team.
Brilliant (as always) Paul, really enjoyed this . Keep up the fantastic work 🚂😊
Beautiful Video - Thanks!
Thanks for doing these drivers eye views. Just as good as a Video125 production and unlike them, you're not charging a small fortune to watch them.
Good video, enjoyed it
I've always found the Cross City line a similar concept to the Elizabeth Line, by being a hybrid of commuter and suburban services.
Driven this more than a few times in Train Sim World. Can’t wait to watch the real thing!
Blimey! Last time I travelled that line it was cronky old DMUs and the service ended at City
The best days!!
Very nice, like ...
This was my local line when I was a student at Birmingham, and later a working commuter from Selly Oak, long ago when the electrification and 323s were fresh and new. It was nice to see it from a different angle, even if the driver only gets to see the QEH tower and doesn't get the view of Old Joe that passengers get looking out on the university side. Nice to see the new University station, too. It's clearly a big expansion from the original 70s building.
I think personally I prefer a cab-view video with just the sounds of the cab, though I did listen to the commentary. I can tell you that the auto-generated subtitles are (as usual) entertainingly wrong in places ("Reddit" for the other southern terminus), though when they describe the sound of a 323 pulling away as "[Music]", I can't disagree.
Very interesting video of a route I've not been over south of Lichfield. There are in fact two other cathedrals with three spires in the UK: Truro and the Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh.
A minor point - the Camp Line still is used by passenger trains. Some of the Manchester - Bristol trains use it to save reversing at New St. Apparently there is also a train a week which uses the Lifford Curve. This is so drivers know the route in case of diversions. (I need someone to confirm this still happens).
I'll quite miss the 323's for sure! Same with the 350's eventually when the 370's replace those
Have you thought of doing a drivers eye view from London Padding to Plymouth or vice verse
I might be a bit biased as it passes through the area I went to University, but one route I'd request is Manchester Airport to Blackpool North via Bolton and Preston. It's a route with much variety and interesting recent history, such as Farnworth tunnel, which needed to be extensively realigned and rebuilt to allow for the subsequent electrification. During the works, the sandy soil the tunnel was built in collapsed, significantly delaying the works, while the engineers tried to get back on track (no pun intended). The route was finally energised in 2018 with electric services, provided by Ex-Thameslink Class 319's starting in early 2019
12:56 - not entirely true. Some cross country services between Manchester and Bristol use it to prevent having to switch ends at new street.
The class 323 should be switched to the 730 from spring so will be interesting considering the new 730's have had breakdowns on the Wolverhampton line.
Words are good.
That train has weird take off noise. Never heard a EMU sound like that.
Thanks for the trip. Greetings from Sydney. 🏳🌈
stepper motors!
Fantastic video! What's the double beeping that can be heard at various points, such as 4:58? Reminds me of ETCS movement authority changes, but obviously isn't!
It is the GSMR trying to regain connection - The connection has been patchy in the Barnt Green - Longbridge area for a while now due to a GSMR mast catching fire and awaiting repair.
@@hunsletmidland Ah, interesting! Thanks :)
Hmm, never realised the platform numbers keep changing back and forth - isn't it supposed to be that 1 is for the line towards the terminus and 2 for that going away?
Thanks for this well informed video. Quick question … when a banking engine is needed on the Lickey, does the goods train bring it along already attached at the rear or does a banking engine live at the bottom of the hill waiting to be useful?
There are sidings at Bromsgrove - the banker waits there. It detaches at Blackwell. The crossover can be used the send it back to Bromsgrove! Until the 1990s the banker was stationed at Bromsgrove but now it is sent on demand! Until the 1990s a passenger train was still banked. Can’t remember the exact details or dates. I believe it was a sleeper train. I am a bit vague and some details might not be 100%. Perhaps someone else can fill in the details!
@@sr6424 Thank you very much for your helpful answer. One more question (sorry!) …. presumably the banker will have a separate driver; how will the two drivers coordinate their pulling and pushing or is it the case that once the banker driver has attached the banker, (s)he then hands over all control to the driver at the front?
@@paulrandall9705 I don’t know how that works.
@@sr6424 thank you ladies / gentlemen for your helpful comments. Over and out. For now!
@@sr6424 In the late 1970s I travelled on a sleeping car train from Bristol to Edinburgh/Glasgow with about 13 on. It used a bank engine up the Lickey from Bromsgrove. It then reversed at New St. and electric to Carstairs, where it split into two portions, one on to Glasgow Central, the other (which reversed) to Edinburgh Waverley.
I still travel on the cross city line but unfortunately the 730s are taking over
Northern has also acquired trains from East Midlands Railway (Class 156s). The Class 730 are 5 Coaches, aren't they? They'll not run double units like the 323s?
I think it varies for the different regions getting them. The 730's for the West Midlands are 3-coach units and can be doubled up, similarly to the 323's. Some of them are already in service on the Wolverhampton to Walsall line
Does you just whack it in notch 4 straight away? 🤯🤣
What's the correct acceleration through the notches for the 323?
Did not the line to Southminster predate your comment about electrification of Branch lines at Barnt Green?
You said that he west midland railway went to cardiff they only go to Worcester and hereford its xc that go to cardiff from birmingham they come from Nottingham
Something about these West Midlands trains looks so... naff
West Midlands Railway Class 323
bad bot
Are the class 323 units part of the Networker family as they sound the same as the southeastern 465/ units
Interestng route - not an area I'm familiar with.
Not a word about Erdington. I know it's a boring place, I was born and raised there. But perhaps a word just to be fair?
The contrast between the electrification systems is quite jarring. The Bromsgrove section is a rather nasty and ugly hodgepodge of the totally different Series.1 and 2 equipment, whereas the Mk3 (including the headspans) and Mk1 Equipment being more consistent and compact. On one extremes, you have got what the engineering team ones in terms of overengineering and redundancy, and the accountant's approach for as minimum as possible. Network Rail IMHO made the grave mistake with going with the former, making Electrification cumbersome and expensive, where as other countries like New Zealand and the USA continue to use BR Mk3 OHLE and derived solutions from Balfour Beatty for their electrification programmes with few issues. It's a farce.
From a functionality point of view, New St. sucks, now, compared to pre-2010. I was taking my pushbike to & from Wales, via New St, and you have to allow a lot more time for platform changes - all that Blue Zone/red Zone/Green Zone crap, introduced no doubt to cut down on fare evasion, & making the laden-down passenger's experience a lot worse. What should have been a 4 minute change became 15 minutes. Maybe 5 minutes of that was down to my unfamiliarity, but there's just far too much non-platform-level clutter, designed to take you through/near the retail opportunities for overpriced rubbish. Hope the £500 million cost wasn't all out of the public purse. It means you have to allow more time for changes, & higher risk of missed connections.
Use the exits at the "a" end of the platforms. It's signposted on the platforms to do that if you are changing platforms.They take you straight across to the other platforms - no need to go near the main concourse or through any gates. Very quick.
@@mehere779 Thanks for that, wish I'd known it & will give it a try
@@daffyduk77 Doh - Sorry - brain fade ! 😳
It's the exits at the "b" end , NOT "a" !!!
There are some signs for it but probably not enough, and in an unfamiliar place it's easy just not to notice them anyway. There are lifts down there if you don't want to use escalators.
@@mehere779 thx