Trains (past, present and future) in Birmingham and West Midlands

Birmingham & West Midlands Trains - With People with Passion we're building gallery & collection of posts looking at the past, present & future of the region's trains.


This is a community owned project with wonderful contributions from our People with Passion.

 

WEST MIDLANDS RAILWAY

West Midlands Railway took over from London Midland in December 2017. They current have trains of the following Classes: 139, 170, 172 and 323. The old 153's will be leaving the fleet.

The Stourbridge Shuttle, Class 139

There is two Stourbridge Shuttle's, also called Parry People Movers. Introduced into service under London Midland in 2009, between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. After West Midlands Railway took over in late 2017, the livery was changed from green to purple / orange in 2018.

Stourbridge Shuttle

Stourbridge Shuttle: West Midlands Railway 139001 at Stourbridge Town Station (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 153

Introduced to service in 1991/92 and still in service. West Midlands Railway has about 8 Class 153's that they inherited from London Midland in late 2017. The final one was withdrawn from service at the end of December 2020.

Class 153

West Midlands Railway 153364 at the newly opened Kenilworth Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 170

The Class 170 Turbostar trains were built in 1999. West Midlands Railway currently has 23 of them in their fleet, inheriting them from London Midland at the end of 2017. When the Class 196 trains comes into service later in 2021, these trains will be transferred to East Midlands Railway.

Class 170

West Midlands Railway 170633 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 172

Built between 2010 and 2011 they were put into service on the Snow Hill Lines in 2011 by London Midland, they transferred to West Midlands Railway at the end of 2017. Originally they had 172/2 x 12 and 172/3 x 15. 172/0 x 8 was transferred over from London Overground in 2019, and entered service on the Leamington Spa to Nuneaton via Coventry line, refurbished with a new West Midlands Railway livery inside and out.

Class 172

West Midlands Railway 172 338 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (October 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 196

West Midlands Trains has new trains on order including the new Class 196. They were on test runs on the Snow Hill Lines during 2020, and may come into service later in 2021. Built between 2019 and 2020 by CAF in Spain, they are of the Civity type of train. On order is 196/0 x 12 and 196/1 x 14. It is planned to replace West Midlands Railway entire fleet of Class 170 trains (see above). It is planned for them to run on the Birmingham to Shrewsbury line, the Birmingham to Hereford line and some appearances on the Snow Hill Lines (Dorridge & Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester via Birmingham Snow Hill).

Class 196

West Midlands Railway 196 101 on a test run through Yardley Wood Station (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 323

These entered into service in 1994 after being built around 1990 to 1991. West Midlands Railway inherited a fleet of 26 Class 323's from London Midland at the end of 2017. They run on the Cross City Line from Redditch to Lichfield Trent Valley via Birmingham New Street. Bromsgrove was added to the Cross City Line after electrification (from 2018). They also run up the Chase Line towards Walsall. Beyond Walsall the line was electrified to Rugeley Trent Valley, but West Midlands Railway usually uses Class 350's on that line now (from 2019).

Class 323

West Midlands Railway 323203 from the Somerset Road Bridge in Edgbaston near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal (January 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

LONDON NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY

London Northwestern Railway took over from London Midland in December 2017. They inherited the Class 350's.

Class 350

These semi fast electric trains entered into service in 2005. The Class 350 is also called Desiro. London Northwestern Railway (a sub company of West Midlands Trains), inherited a fleet of 77 Class 350's from London Midland at the end of 2017. A further 10 Class 350's were transferred from TransPennine Express during 2019 to 2020. They operate the trains on the London Euston to Birmingham New Street line as well as up to Liverpool Lime Street via Crewe. It is planned to replace all 350/2 with Class 730 "Aventura" trains.

LNWR Class 350

London Northwestern Railway 350406 arriving at Birmingham New Street Station from London Euston (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

CHILTERN RAILWAYS

Chiltern Railways has Class 68, Class 165, Class 168 and Class 172.

Class 68

They were built between 2013 and 2017. Chiltern Railways has sub-leased 14 Class 68 diesel locomotives from Direct Rail Services on the Chiltern Mainline between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street or Birmingham Snow Hill (sometimes as far as Kidderminster). Behind them are Mark 3 coaches with a Driving Van Trailer at the back. The Class 68 replaced the Class 67 (which they used from 2010 to 2014, which used to be used by Wrexham & Shropshire).

Class 68

Chiltern Railways 68009, Titan at Birmingham Moor Street Station (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 165

These have been in service since 1991. Chiltern Railways has had them since the mid 1990s taking over from Network SouthEast. Today in the West Midlands Region, they are used on the Leamington Spa to Stratford-upon-Avon line, as well as Leamington Spa to Birmingham Moor Street. They were refurbished in 2003 and 2005. Another refurbishment took place in them in 2015.

Class 165

Chiltern Railways 165019 at Birmingham Moor Street Station (February 2014). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 168

The Class 168 Clubman trains are used on the Chiltern Mainline between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street / Snow Hill. They entered service back in 1998. They were refurbished inside and out during 2013. You can get down to London in 90 minutes, with stops at Solihull, Warwick Parkway and Leamington Spa in the West Midlands region. The more comfortable way and more scenic route down to the capital. Some trains stop at Wembley Stadium if a football match is on there (so the trains can get quite full on those days).

Class 168

Chiltern Railways 168216 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station (September 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 172

Chiltern Railways has 4 two car Class 172 trains, usually attached at the back of their Class 168's, on the routes between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Marylebone.

Class 172

Chiltern Railways 172 101 at Birmingham Snow Hill Station (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

AVANTI WEST COAST

Avanti West Coast took over from Virgin Trains in December 2019, and inherited trains of the following classes: Class 220, Class 221 and Class 390.

Class 390

The Class 390 Pendolino's have been in service on the West Coast Mainline from 2002 onwards. Operated by Virgin Trains from 2002 until their franchise ended at the end of 2019. Avanti West Coast took over. They were built by Alstom. They were refurbished by Avanti in 2020. This is the fastest route from Birmingham New Street to London Euston (until HS2 eventually opens which Avanti might be running in the future), but the most expensive.

Avanti West Coast Class 390

Avanti West Coast 390 127 departing for London Euston from Birmingham New Street (August 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

CROSS COUNTRY TRAINS

Cross Country Trains has Class 170, Class 220 and Class 221. They also have some old Intercity 125 trains which was Class 43.

Class 220

These entered service in 2001 with Virgin Trains CrossCountry, but transferred to Cross Country Trains in 2007. They replaced the then 20 year old Intercity 125 trains. All trains goes through Birmingham New Street. They are also known as Voyager.

Class 220

Cross Country Trains Class 220 passing the site of Harborne Junction (February 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Class 221

The Class 221 Super Voyager trains entered service in 2002 with then operator Virgin Trains, used on the Cross Country and West Coast Mainline. Cross Country Trains inherited them from Virgin Trains Cross Country in 2007. They used to be able to tilt, but this was disabled in 2008.

Cross Country 221 New St

Cross Country Super Voyager 221128 at Birmingham New Street Station (August 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

25 Mar 2019 - On-going

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Transport
29 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street

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For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.

Related

Eurovision Liverpool 2023 - London Northwestern Railway 350104 between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street





For months I've been aware of a London Northwestern Railway Class 350 Desiro with a special Eurovision Song Contest United Kingdom Liverpool 2023 livery. I was at Wolverhampton Station waiting for a train back to Birmingham New Street Station on the August Bank Holiday Monday 28th August 2023, when the train arrived from Liverpool Lime Street. I sat in the one at the back.


Yes it was disappointing that Birmingham didn't win the rights this time to host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, that honour went to Liverpool. You might remember that 25 years ago, Birmingham was the host for the Eurovision Song Contest: United Kingdom - Birmingham 1998, at the National Indoor Arena.

Had Birmingham won the right to host it in 2023, it would have gone to the Resorts World Arena at the NEC, but it wasn't to be.

 

In May 2023, ahead of Eurovison in Liverpool, London Northwestern Railway (the brand name for West Midlands Trains between London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Crewe and Liverpool Lime Street), unveiled a special yellow livery on 350104.

The branding has BBC, Eurovision Song Contest, Ukraine and United by Music all over the four carriage set.

 

I was waiting at platform 2 at Wolverhampton Station, after my visit to Wolverhampton Art Gallery (on the August Bank Holiday Monday), as the Liverpool Lime Street to Birmingham New Street train arrived in Liverpool livery! As well as the Eurovision 2023 train, the one behind had Liverpool John Lennon Airport on it (I sat in a carriage on that one at the back).

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After waiting in a tunnel waiting for a platform, at a signal (I was still in the Liverpool John Lennon Airport train), the train headed to platform 5 at Birmingham New Street Station. I headed down the platform for some more views at the A end of the platform. I was unable to get a photo of the Liverpool John Lennon Airport livery on the other train (which I had got off). As was so many passengers getting off with the luggage.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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Transport
21 Feb 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221

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Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.

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Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221





Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.


Centro Regional Railways 323221

West Midlands Railway repainted the Class 323 unit 323221 in the 1990s livery of lime green, yellow and white with Centro and Regional Railways logos at the Soho depot. It returned to service on the 19th December 2022.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown first spotted it at Selly Oak near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal a day later (near Selly Oak Shopping Park on 20/12/2022), but was unable to get a photo of it.

Several other attempts to see it including a trip from Five Ways to Longbridge (and back to Kings Norton on 21/12/2022), then Birmingham New Street to Aston (and back from Duddeston on 01/01/2023), finally Bournville to Birmingham New Street one way (on 28/01/2023), didn't catch it.

 

Previous liveries over the years

London Midland 323221 at Aston Station during August 2012.

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London Midland 323221 at Witton Station during September 2012.

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London Midland 323221 at Bournville Station during January 2015.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 in London Midland livery, late December 2017, at Birmingham New Street Station. The franchise changed that month.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 at Chester Road Station during December 2018.

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West Midlands Railway 323221 at Selly Oak Station during August 2019.

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University Station - 11th February 2023

On this day I went to the Selly Oak Shopping Park and walked up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to catch a train one way from University to Birmingham New Street. And I finally got 323221 arriving on a service to Redditch! It was quite awesome to see. The station here is still not complete. At the front that day was 323204.

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The platforms here feel extra long, but don't walk past the no pedestrians sign at the end.

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Sometime in the future you will be able to use both sides of the new station building, but it is still not open or complete.

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First full view of the back of 323221 in it's "new" Regional Railways livery.

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These units still had this livery into the Central Trains era, but was changed to a darker green, yellow and white livery under London Midland from 2007 to 2017.

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Eventually when West Midlands Railway took over in 2017, they got a orange and white livery. They are due to be replaced by the new Class 730 Aventra with orange and purple livery sometime in the future, by 2024.

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Video clip on Youtube here West Midlands Railway 323 at University.

 

Birmingham New Street Station - 15th February 2023

A few days later, I went to Birmingham New Street to get the train to Shenstone in Staffordshire, to see the Annatomix mural. And guess what, Centro Regional Railways 323221 showed up at platform 8! So I got on it and had a half hour ride to Shenstone. While there was 11am emergency alarms tests at the station, but departed a few minutes later.

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The Class 323's have a big gap between the platform if they are curved, so MIND THE GAP.

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The refurbished interior is unchanged from when West Midlands Railway did up the entire fleet from 2018 to 2021.

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My walk around the village of Shenstone gave me time to get back to the station and back on West Midlands Railway 323221 in Regional Railways Centro livery, and back to Birmingham New Street. Arriving at platform 12.

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Shenstone Station - 15th February 2023

Between Sutton Coldfield and Staffordshire as usual is all the fields, and after that Shenstone is the first station outside of the WMCA. Got off West Midlands Railway 323221 at Shenstone. It was a bit bright from this side as I exited the station. Couldn't initially saw the Annatomix. A half hour walk around the village, found three pubs, and several old churches.

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The station building at Shenstone probably dates to 1884 but isn't listed, sunlight to bright from this side, was better to see from the car park.

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Up the steps to Lynn Lane, for a half hour walk around Shenstone.

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After the walk, back to Shenstone Station. The Annatomix was in the bike store area on platform 2. This time 323221 was at the back, with 323207 at the front, still I decided to get on 323221 again for the half hour train ride back to Birmingham New Street from Shenstone.

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323207 passed under the Lynn Lane bridge.

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Six carriages on three car sets linked together. The WMR livery contrasts with the Centro Regional Railways livery behind.

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Yellow doors with the Centro logo, press the button to open the doors when it lights up.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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