University (Birmingham) Station Rebuild

[DavidGrain]

The disused formation goes to the former Midland Railway Goods Station in Holliday Street. I know because, before the present block of flats was built, I used to park my car in the carpark that used to be on the former station site next to the BR offices in the former Stannier House. A couple of times just for fun, I drove my car right up to the tunnel mouth but chickened out of driving through although I knew that it was a PWay track access.

New Street Station is underground on a very restricted site and I do not see how another two tracks coming in through another tunnel could possibly be connected into the western throat at New Street. The former station is up the hill above New Street station and use of this route would require a very steep climb out of New Street immediately after a 5mph speed limit.

 

[Sprinter107]

Its a considerable difference in height, as can be seen when the train leaves Five Ways for New Street. The disused Central Goods line is on top of the retaining wall. (Its 10mph into New Street)

 

[ABB125]

Some more pictures from today, this time taken from the university side of the canal. You can clearly see where (I assume) the footbridge will "land" once over the canal, in the form of the steel mesh.

A general view of the building:

This gives a good view of the considerable length that the footbridge will be (as the steelwork is a bit difficult to make out, I've drawn an arrow above it):

 

[Class172]

I accept that the disused solum only went as far as the existing University station. But it would have allowed stoppers to be passed in both directions at Fiveways & University. And also allow a stopper queuing to get into New Street to be overtaken.

Even if it was feasible to add additional tracks as loops near Five Ways, there would be very little benefit as the line speed from there towards New St is so low, so a fast service would gain very little in terms of time.

 

[ABB125]

Another picture, from yesterday. Taken from the university side of the canal. It looks like they were craning in the cladding for the canal side of the southbound platform building (which does surprise me somewhat, though I suppose there's basically no space for any machinery between the building and canal). Both the railway and canal were shut yesterday as a result of this work.

 

[mr_moo]

Fab pics and progress. I'm not saying much but I'm appreciating seeing the updates. Thanks @ABB125

 

[ABB125]

A few more pictures from today, taken from the canal:

Close-up of the (thick!) insulation and cladding being installed:

I didn't see the crane in use, but they appeared to be preparing for something:

If you look closely, the item attached to the crane is a long steel framework; possibly part of the footbridge? Here's a zoomed-in version, apologies for the poor quality as I was using my phone!

You can't really tell from this picture, but the steel frame appeared to extend quite some way past the other side of the crane.

 

[WesternBiker]

A few more pictures from today, taken from the canal:

Thank you again for all the pictures - it is making me quite nostalgic - even if the Campus looks rather different these days! My laboratory overlooked the station and line - I'm not sure if there is still that view though!

 

[city dweller]

Canal bridge preparations.

General image.

 

[ABB125]

The canal bridge has been installed.
You can just see it in the distance here:

I'll go back tomorrow with my camera and get some better pictures.

 

[city dweller]

Andy Street has just posted this pic

 

[ABB125]

Some more pictures as promised.

View from the university side:


View from the canal:

I think all those little prongs sticking out of the beams are something to do with attaching the concrete which will form the bridge deck, but don't quote me on that!

Close-up of the support column next to the station building:


These two show the bridge in comparison to the rest of the site:


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Oct 2021 ==

Some more general shots, mostly from the hospital side (as I haven't been over there for some time).

Stairway inside the canal-side building:


View from the entrance to the Medical School:


By the main site entrance:


View from the blood donation centre car park:


This is what the finished station in meant to look like:

 

[city dweller]

The Bridge exit/entrance will really separate the passengers well. Those using the Hospital and Medical School will use the main entrance and a large number of the rest will use the bridge to access the main University Campus.

 

[snowball]

I think all those little prongs sticking out of the beams are something to do with attaching the concrete which will form the bridge deck, but don't quote me on that!

Furthermore I think they're called shear connectors.

 

[city dweller]

The railway bridge arrived yesterday.

 

[ABB125]

The railway bridge arrived yesterday.

I'll go and have a look later today to see if I can see it. Do you know which side of the line it's being stored on (and when it's being installed)?

 

[city dweller]

CrossCountry timetable suggests there isn't a planned closure of the railway for a couple of months

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[ABB125]

CrossCountry timetable suggests there isn't a planned closure of the railway for a couple of months

Welcome to CrossCountry

We cross more of the country than any other train company. We can provide cheap train tickets for any train journey, on any train, in Great Britain, with big savings with Advance tickets – and no booking fee! Booking online or on your mobile is quick and easy at crosscountrytrains.co.uk

www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

View attachment 104166
View attachment 104168

Thanks - I wonder why they've taken delivery of the bridge now, if they won't be installing it for over two months? Surely it won't take that long to fit out the bridge as required prior to installation?

 

[The Planner]

Thanks - I wonder why they've taken delivery of the bridge now, if they won't be installing it for over two months? Surely it won't take that long to fit out the bridge as required prior to installation?

Could well be doing it in the Xmas shutdown.

 

[ABB125]

Could well be doing it in the Xmas shutdown.

Maybe, but that's still two months away.

 

[scrapy]

Surely it will be lifted into place in a couple of hours overnight? Wouldn't need a long closure.

 

[ABB125]

Surely it will be lifted into place in a couple of hours overnight? Wouldn't need a long closure.

Well...

There was an overnight closure last night.

 

[city dweller]

Nice one ABB125

 

[ABB125]

Nice one ABB125

Thanks!
I'll be back again shortly with a proper camera and a ticket to get onto the platforms; stand by for more pictures!

 

[mr_moo]

Fab updates @ABB125
Thanks for your efforts here.

 

[snowball]

Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?

Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?

 

[the sniper]

Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?
Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?

Only the brave...

 

[DavidGrain]

Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?

Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?

I was thinking of asking the same question myself today.

 

[Liam L]

Well...
View attachment 104183
There was an overnight closure last night.

A nice surprise to come on to Railfourms tonight, Can't wait to see for myself tomorrow

 

[ABB125]

Isn't Perry Barr station also being rebuilt for the Games?

Yes

Does nobody ever go near that with a camera?

Some people must, but clearly they don't post on this forum! It's far too far for me to just pop along and get a few pictures unfortunately (and I believe the station is closed for the duration of the works, unlike University, so going by train is a non-starter). Having said that, if I find myself with a couple of hours of spare time before Christmas, I may well go and take a look (if I remember to!).

~~~
As promised, here are some more pictures. Unfortunately, it was getting a bit dark, but generally that wasn't a problem.

Some "overview" shots from platform 1:


Some closer shots of the bridge and surrounding buildings:


A comparison of the new build stuff with the old station:


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Oct 2021 ==

Another shot from the blood centre car park:


And finally an "arty" shot from platform 2: