28th June - West Midland Daytripper

So for the second Thursday of my FOSW I decided a second extension to the West Midlands would be a good idea. Try and get my final London Midland 172 hopefully and then all that's required is one Chiltern one.

So I left Plymouth on the 0925 train to Aberdeen after buying my Cheltenham – Birmingham return. All was good up until near Gloucester. I'd acquired a laptop from my Dad and having restored it to as new and then removed all slow and infuriating applications from it, the first 2h 30 mins of my journey flew by as I watched Transformers 3!

Then it all went wrong and would set the tone of the day! Shortly after we came to standstill, it was announced that there were problems between Cheltenham and Birmingham. The problems weren't known (but a quick check of my emails revealed flooding in Barnt Green area) and then we were told the service would go to Gloucester and be terminated! Great!

We arrived into Gloucester, got off and then seconds later were told to get back on the train as it would continue after all but at 5mph over the affected area. So on we went and quite quickly until we approached the affected area. We must have spent about 1h 15mins getting through a queue of trains. If I am honest the flooding must have mostly disappeared because it didn't seem to warrant over an hours worth of delays. I finally got into New Street 1h 27 late! Not good. Delays were left right and centre at New Street so I headed to Moor Street!

Not a good move! It was even worse! Flooding at Rowley Regis was causing chaos here. I got the first train (172342) to Snow Hill and decided to go on the tram to Wolverhampton. At Snow Hill there were two trains already in the platforms but these were being taken out of service. Odd how the ones going east were being taken out as there were no probs that way apparently.

On to the tram I spotted a 153/170 combo at Jewellery Quarter. The 170 was 635 and required so I risked it not moving till I got to it. I got on it and we waited about 5 mins before we went on. Took about 30 mins to get to Snow hill as the trains were just queuing up. Once at Snow Hill I returned to the trams. This time I stayed on the tram to Wolverhampton so that line is complete. I saw about six trains queueing to get to Snow Hill before we veered off to Wolverhampton. No sign of the one I needed and this would have to wait another day.

By the time I had got to Wolverhampton it was nearly 4 o'clock and I had only been on two trains since arriving in Birmingham! Luckily the next train I was able to catch was a winner. I caught 350110 to Birmingham New Street. Again this was met with delays getting into the station! Next up was ATW service pulling into the platform next to me. A quick check revealed one half as being very much required. The doors of 158824 was right by me and I got on. I have never seen so many people on a four car 158! It was rammed and was a right effort to get off at Smethwick! I regretted getting on quickly and being in the middle of the carriage in a seat! At Smethwick I noticed that there was no improvement on the Snow Hill Lines and rushed back downstairs to a 350 in the platform. 350244 was a winner, so good. Another short delay into New Street was guaranteed!

It was then a dash over to Platform 3 as I saw an 11 car pendo about to leave. 390131 was new for renumber and was itself then delayed. I could only stand and the train was so hot! Lots of unhappy people!

I got off at International and spotted a winning 350 in the platform heading south. I jumped on 350258 to Coventry. As I was leaving I spotted 390156. Bonus. I was hungry and decided a visit to one of the four Wetherspoons was needed! After a Curry and Guinness it was back to the station. A dud 390050 to Birmingham International was followed by a swift return on 390029. Well I say swift but this then met delays. Tresspass on the line! The swift bit was the fact I didn't wait at International.

It was now time to start heading back to New Street for my train home. I caught the next Pendo (028) to International and then waited for 350262 which I knew was behind me as I saw it at Coventry and was required.

Once at New Street I saw my train was nearly 50 mins late! Marvellous! I saw a move that was to be honest very risky and looking back at it I probably shouldn't have done! Anyway I caught a winning 350235 to Stechford (new station in the book!) and dud 323202 back! I had a four minute window at Stechford but that turned into two when the 350 left New Street late!

I made it back and waited for Voyager home! I'm writing this on the train so goodness only knows when I get back what time it'll be! Very tiring day and dare I say it the most unenjoyable day I've had since I got back into this hobby! Yes I saw two new Pendolinos for renumber and caught 9 winning trains for haulage, but it was really hard work and just about every train was late which made trying to see what moves I was able to make impossible!