Stafford to Smethwick journey including Daytripper

The_Train · 22 Sep 2018

Hi guys, just looking for a bit of clarity regarding a possible plan I have for this coming Wednesday. I have a 10am appointment in Smethwick so as I'm in the area I'm considering a day roaming around the West Midlands using the West Midlands Network Daytripper.

If I'm reading everything right I'm thinking the cheapest option would be to buy an anytime return (it's critical that I'm not late for this appointment so off peak would be too risky) from Stafford to Wolverhampton and then use the peak Daytripper from Wolverhampton to Galton Bridge (and for the remainder of my day). This would be completed with a return journey from New Street to Stafford via Wolverhampton.

An alternative option I've come up with is to purchase an anytime return to Birmingham New Street but alighting short at Smethwick. I would then purchase a Daytripper at Smethwick and head around the local network with this roam finishing at New Street in time to catch the 2003 XC service to York where I would alight at Tamworth and connect with a service there to Stafford. Sounds long winded but it's an opportunity to get some haulage behind a HST (at least according to RTT) before its too late.

So I guess my question is do both of these options meet within any ticketing restrictions? Also with regards to the Daytripper, I see that you can buy a peak or off peak version. It states the off peak can't be used before 0930 but doesn't specify anything about evening peak usage....would I gave restrictions during the evening peak if I purchased an off peak Daytripper?

Thanks

RailUK Forums

Smethwickian · 22 Sep 2018

The_Train said:
Hi guys, just looking for a bit of clarity regarding a possible plan I have for this coming Wednesday. I have a 10am appointment in Smethwick so as I'm in the area I'm considering a day roaming around the West Midlands using the West Midlands Network Daytripper.

If I'm reading everything right I'm thinking the cheapest option would be to buy an anytime return (it's critical that I'm not late for this appointment so off peak would be too risky) from Stafford to Wolverhampton and then use the peak Daytripper from Wolverhampton to Galton Bridge (and for the remainder of my day). This would be completed with a return journey from New Street to Stafford via Wolverhampton.

An alternative option I've come up with is to purchase an anytime return to Birmingham New Street but alighting short at Smethwick. I would then purchase a Daytripper at Smethwick and head around the local network with this roam finishing at New Street in time to catch the 2003 XC service to York where I would alight at Tamworth and connect with a service there to Stafford. Sounds long winded but it's an opportunity to get some haulage behind a HST (at least according to RTT) before its too late.

So I guess my question is do both of these options meet within any ticketing restrictions? Also with regards to the Daytripper, I see that you can buy a peak or off peak version. It states the off peak can't be used before 0930 but doesn't specify anything about evening peak usage....would I gave restrictions during the evening peak if I purchased an off peak Daytripper?

Thanks

No evening peak restrictions on the Daytripper.
Note that the pre-0930 weekday equivalent has a slightly different name - the 1-day nNetwork as described here https://ticketing.networkwestmidlands.com/Home/ShowTicket/38
I think if you want to be certain of your arrival at Smethwick GB well before 1000 you will probably catch the 0920 from Wolves rather than rely on the 0931 so your ''alternative" is appropriate totalling £20.10.

cactustwirly · 22 Sep 2018

The_Train said:
Hi guys, just looking for a bit of clarity regarding a possible plan I have for this coming Wednesday. I have a 10am appointment in Smethwick so as I'm in the area I'm considering a day roaming around the West Midlands using the West Midlands Network Daytripper.

If I'm reading everything right I'm thinking the cheapest option would be to buy an anytime return (it's critical that I'm not late for this appointment so off peak would be too risky) from Stafford to Wolverhampton and then use the peak Daytripper from Wolverhampton to Galton Bridge (and for the remainder of my day). This would be completed with a return journey from New Street to Stafford via Wolverhampton.

An alternative option I've come up with is to purchase an anytime return to Birmingham New Street but alighting short at Smethwick. I would then purchase a Daytripper at Smethwick and head around the local network with this roam finishing at New Street in time to catch the 2003 XC service to York where I would alight at Tamworth and connect with a service there to Stafford. Sounds long winded but it's an opportunity to get some haulage behind a HST (at least according to RTT) before its too late.

So I guess my question is do both of these options meet within any ticketing restrictions? Also with regards to the Daytripper, I see that you can buy a peak or off peak version. It states the off peak can't be used before 0930 but doesn't specify anything about evening peak usage....would I gave restrictions during the evening peak if I purchased an off peak Daytripper?

Thanks

What day is it?
The timing load on RTT isn't 100% accurate, so I would double check that service is actually a HST.

martinsh · 23 Sep 2018

Daytripper not valid at Tamworth, surely ?

ForTheLoveOf · 23 Sep 2018

martinsh said:
Daytripper not valid at Tamworth, surely ?

Yes, but all through tickets from Stafford to Birmingham are and @The_Train has indicated they will be getting one of those.

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

cactustwirly said:
What day is it?
The timing load on RTT isn't 100% accurate, so I would double check that service is actually a HST.

It's Wednesday. I've generally found the timing load for XC through Tamworth to be fairly reliable but if anyone can confirm this particular one it would be of help

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

martinsh said:
Daytripper not valid at Tamworth, surely ?

Indeed it isn't but as @ForTheLoveOf states my return Stafford-New Street would allow a jaunt home via Tamworth

ForTheLoveOf said:
Yes, but all through tickets from Stafford to Birmingham are and @The_Train has indicated they will be getting one of those.

Thanks for clarifying this. At least I know that I can take this route home if I wanted to

cactustwirly · 23 Sep 2018

The_Train said:
It's Wednesday. I've generally found the timing load for XC through Tamworth to be fairly reliable but if anyone can confirm this particular one it would be of help

Here are the weekday HST diagrams, valid until the 7th October:

XC801 1V44 0544 LDS-PLY 1144, 1S52 1225 PLY-EDB 2135.
XC802 FX Spare at EC.
FO 5V54 05+29 EC-NCL 09+10 (Via NCL Forth Banks Siding 0747-0907),
1V54 0935 NCL-PLY 1645, 1E73 1725 PLY-LDS 2326.
XC803 5V46 03+59 (MX) HT-LDS 05+53, 1V46 0616 LDS-PLY 1247,
1E56 1325 PLY-NCL 2043, 5S56 20+57 (FO) NCL-EC 22+56.
XC804 1V52 0700 EDB-PLY 1543,
1E68 1625 PLY-YRK 2251 (via Tinsley South Jn, Rotherham Central, Thrybergh Jn),
5E68 23+13 YRK-NL 00+03.

Skymonster · 23 Sep 2018

I believe those HST diagrams - pasted from the 125 Group I presume - are not correct while Bristol Parkway is closed (until October 7). For example the 1625 off Plymouth currently runs an hour later through New Street and goes to Leeds rather than York this week. The 2003 off BHM which The_Train mentions is an Exeter-York working.

PS: If you are jollying round the West Midlands Mr. Train, I recommend a quick trip out to Stourbridge Junction - and even a ten minute return to Stourbridge Town - to see / experience the 139s. The entire jouney from/to Smethwick including a ride on the Parry Peeoplemover can be completed in an hour and you are on the right side of Birmingham to do it. While you are on the way you should also pick up some WMR 172s.

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

cactustwirly said:
Here are the weekday HST diagrams, valid until the 7th October:

XC801 1V44 0544 LDS-PLY 1144, 1S52 1225 PLY-EDB 2135.
XC802 FX Spare at EC.
FO 5V54 05+29 EC-NCL 09+10 (Via NCL Forth Banks Siding 0747-0907),
1V54 0935 NCL-PLY 1645, 1E73 1725 PLY-LDS 2326.
XC803 5V46 03+59 (MX) HT-LDS 05+53, 1V46 0616 LDS-PLY 1247,
1E56 1325 PLY-NCL 2043, 5S56 20+57 (FO) NCL-EC 22+56.
XC804 1V52 0700 EDB-PLY 1543,
1E68 1625 PLY-YRK 2251 (via Tinsley South Jn, Rotherham Central, Thrybergh Jn),
5E68 23+13 YRK-NL 00+03.

Thanks mate, it's 1E68 that I've got my eye on

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

Skymonster said:
I believe those HST diagrams - pasted from the 125 Group I presume - are not correct while Bristol Parkway is closed (until October 7). For example 1E68, the 1625 off Plymouth, currently runs an hour later through New Street and goes to Leeds rather than York this week. The 2003 off BHM which The_Train mentions is an Exeter-York working.

The important thing from this is whether the 2003 from New Street is still a HST?

Skymonster said:
PS: If you are jollying round the West Midlands Mr. Train, I recommend a quick trip out to Stourbridge Junction - and even a ten minute return to Stourbridge Town - to see / experience the 139s. The entire jouney from/to Smethwick including a ride on the Parry Peeoplemover can be completed in an hour and you are on the right side of Birmingham to do it. While you are on the way you should also pick up some WMR 172s.

I've made a quick plan of the day (I may send it across to you to see if I've got the right sort of places incorporated) and it involves Stourbridge and a trip to Town so I can experience the 139s. I'm just hoping the one that's not in use is out on show where it's stored so I can tick them both off in one go

palmersears · 23 Sep 2018

The_Train said:
I'm just hoping the one that's not in use is out on show where it's stored so I can tick them both off in one go

The spare is usually sat outside the shed unless it's having an exam. Even then the door is usually open and it's visible.

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

palmersears said:
The spare is usually sat outside the shed unless it's having an exam. Even then the door is usually open and it's visible.

Taking my own thread slightly off topic....do they alternate them daily or is it just pot luck as to which one is out on any given day?

adrock1976 · 23 Sep 2018

The_Train said:
Taking my own thread slightly off topic....do they alternate them daily or is it just pot luck as to which one is out on any given day?

Going by a previous answer when I posted that question back in 2016, the general rule of thumb is that the 139s are swapped over every Sunday, assuming no breakdowns (there are only 2 in the class).

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

adrock1976 said:
Going by a previous answer when I posted that question back in 2016, the general rule of thumb is that the 139s are swapped over every Sunday, assuming no breakdowns (there are only 2 in the class).

Thanks for that, ~~I guess a weekly swap makes sense considering the mileage (or lack of) they do~~

Edited in accordance with stattos post below

Skymonster · 23 Sep 2018

3/4 mile each way - 1.5 miles per round trip
Six round trips per hour - 9 miles per hour
05:45 to 22:45 - 17 hours a day (OK maybe a bit less on Sundays)
153 miles a day - 1,071 miles per week
55,692 miles a year - shared by two units, 27,846 each per year
In service for over nine years - should be around 250,000 miles each to date
Not bad for a glorified Transit minibus on rails!

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

Skymonster said:
3/4 mile each way - 1.5 miles per round trip

Six round trips per hour - 9 miles per hour

05:45 to 22:45 - 17 hours a day (OK maybe a bit less on Sundays)

153 miles a day - 1,071 miles per week

55,692 miles a year - shared by two units, 27,846 each per year

In service for over nine years - should be around 250,000 miles each to date

Not bad for a glorified Transit minibus on rails!

My previous post has been amended accordingly :lol:

Skymonster · 23 Sep 2018

T'was only in jest... Just go and enjoy it will you. I hope you get both because it's not every day you have a chance of clearing an entire class in five minutes

But after Wednesday you'll need to go back to get the other one for haulage

palmersears · 23 Sep 2018

Quickest class I ever cleared for sight the 139s. Was on a 172 back to Moor Street from Worcester, went passed 001 outside the shed and them 002 rolled in all of 10 seconds later on the adjacent platform as we pulled in to Stourbridge Junction!

The_Train · 23 Sep 2018

It's been a while since I cleared a class so would be nice to see them both

Well I think I've got my answers to my original post so thanks to all who've assisted

Jamesrob637 · 1 Dec 2019

Last year I bought a Daytripper including stations such as Northampton and Stafford. I think it was GBP 9 something so may be closer to GBP10 now.

Is this still doable? I'll be on XC or Northern/WMR as far as Stafford so should have time to buy the Daytripper at Stafford.

Kite159 · 1 Dec 2019

Jamesrob637 said:
Last year I bought a Daytripper including stations such as Northampton and Stafford. I think it was GBP 9 something so may be closer to GBP10 now.

Is this still doable? I'll be on XC or Northern/WMR as far as Stafford so should have time to buy the Daytripper at Stafford.

That sounds more like the West Midlands day ranger. The only add-ons to a daytripper are for Kidderminster/Stratford-upon-Avon/Leamington/Lichfield

Stafford to Smethwick journey including Daytripper

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