2021 New track coverage

Peter Mugridge · 31 Dec 2020

Well, here we go again, another year...

While I don't expect there will be much activity for the first couple of months, there are members amongst us who work on the railway or have essential reasons to travel... so the usual thread is here, ready and waiting.

RailUK Forums

Blindtraveler · 10 Feb 2021

very much pure speculation at the moment but assuming about the stay-at-home message and essential travel only rules are relaxed sometime I'm in the next three or 4 months then there is a chance that I might actually finally clear up some Welsh bits and pieces mainly valley lines which have been opened for a number of years now as I go in search of that seemingly elusive very final mainline pacer ride

Kite159 · 10 Feb 2021

Blindtraveler said:
very much pure speculation at the moment but assuming about the stay-at-home message and essential travel only rules are relaxed sometime I'm in the next three or 4 months then there is a chance that I might actually finally clear up some Welsh bits and pieces mainly valley lines which have been opened for a number of years now as I go in search of that seemingly elusive very final mainline pacer ride

Hopefully the 143s hold on long enough in Wales to allow you to have one final ride

Peter Mugridge · 28 Mar 2021

As we come out of restrictions, I have my eye on a small but annoying omission in my rail atlas - I need to do the route via Worcester Foregate Street.

Am I right in thinking that there is an hourly service on weekdays that would allow me to get this marked off? From looking at the atlas, I would need to go to Malvern Link via Droitwich Spa, which would mean a Hereford service from Birmingham New Street? Now, I also need Droitwich Spa to Stourbridge Junction... so the key question is: would a "Birmingham Stations" return to Malvern Link cover me for that stretch as well as going the direct route via Bromsgrove?

birchesgreen · 28 Mar 2021

Peter Mugridge said:
As we come out of restrictions, I have my eye on a small but annoying omission in my rail atlas - I need to do the route via Worcester Foregate Street.

Am I right in thinking that there is an hourly service on weekdays that would allow me to get this marked off? From looking at the atlas, I would need to go to Malvern Link via Droitwich Spa, which would mean a Hereford service from Birmingham New Street? Now, I also need Droitwich Spa to Stourbridge Junction... so the key question is: would a "Birmingham Stations" return to Malvern Link cover me for that stretch as well as going the direct route via Bromsgrove?

You can go New St-Malvern Link. There should be a Malvern-Link train that goes to Snow Hill. That would cover the track you need.

You can of course change at Smethwick Galton Bridge to get on a New St bound train - or take the opportunity to have a nice little tram ride from Snow Hill to New St!

Peter Mugridge · 28 Mar 2021

birchesgreen said:
You can go New St-Malvern Link. There should be a Malvern-Link train that goes to Snow Hill. That would cover the track you need.

You can of course change at Smethwick Galton Bridge to get on a New St bound train - or take the opportunity to have a nice little tram ride from Snow Hill to New St!

Thank you; that makes it much simpler to plan - hopefully by the end of April I'll be able to list both sections in this thread.

Tracked · 28 Mar 2021

I went for a bike ride a few weeks ago up to what used to be Thorpe Marsh power station, there's still a bit of line there with a decade or so of tree growing between in, but it's the first time I've been near it, does that count?

Haven't been on a train since last October, there's plenty of old railway line round here that's been converted to paths, the only time I've gotten closer is that afternoon I walked down platform 2 of Bentley (S. Yorks) station

Peter Mugridge · 28 Mar 2021

Tracked said:
I went for a bike ride a few weeks ago up to what used to be Thorpe Marsh power station, there's still a bit of line there with a decade or so of tree growing between in, but it's the first time I've been near it, does that count?

That's a good point - I wonder if we should have a separate thread for "former railway routes covered" or some similar title? There must be lots of scope for it - but probably not a good idea to confuse with bashing existing track?

route101 · 29 Mar 2021

None yet. Last bit of new track was last September. Hope to get to Wales this year and fill in my last two Scottish Bits, Kyle line and Wick Branch.

HSP 2 · 30 Mar 2021

Peter Mugridge said:
As we come out of restrictions, I have my eye on a small but annoying omission in my rail atlas - I need to do the route via Worcester Foregate Street.

Am I right in thinking that there is an hourly service on weekdays that would allow me to get this marked off? From looking at the atlas, I would need to go to Malvern Link via Droitwich Spa, which would mean a Hereford service from Birmingham New Street? Now, I also need Droitwich Spa to Stourbridge Junction... so the key question is: would a "Birmingham Stations" return to Malvern Link cover me for that stretch as well as going the direct route via Bromsgrove?

Peter you could get this ranger ticket it will cover you for what you want and maybe more besides.
GB RAIL ROVER GUIDE - West Midlands Day Ranger
It may also help you to start lower down the country.

This one would only get you out to Stourbridge junction but then you could get a return to Hereford.
GB RAIL ROVER GUIDE - Network West Midlands Daytripper

HSP 2 · 30 Mar 2021

Peter Mugridge said:
As we come out of restrictions, I have my eye on a small but annoying omission in my rail atlas - I need to do the route via Worcester Foregate Street.

Am I right in thinking that there is an hourly service on weekdays that would allow me to get this marked off? From looking at the atlas, I would need to go to Malvern Link via Droitwich Spa, which would mean a Hereford service from Birmingham New Street? Now, I also need Droitwich Spa to Stourbridge Junction... so the key question is: would a "Birmingham Stations" return to Malvern Link cover me for that stretch as well as going the direct route via Bromsgrove?

Hello Peter, I've just had a look on FastJP for Epson to Worcester you have some interesting routes that you can take.
Epsom to Worcester Foregate Street - FastJP Journey Planner

Peter Mugridge · 30 Mar 2021

Thank you.

My preference would be to go London - Birmingham and then down from there; there's a few things I want to have a look at in the New Street area as well...

Techniquest · 2 Apr 2021

Just a bit late to the party here, but I can confirm a Birmingham to Malvern Link ticket would indeed cover you via both Bromsgrove and Kidderminster.

Which bit in Worcester do you actually need? Your post didn't make that clear. I'm assuming you've done the link between Shrub Hill and Foregate Street, and the link heading north out of Shrub Hill around the eastern side of the depot, and just need the curve around the west side of the depot into Foregate Street. If so, that is incredibly easy to do.

Depending how keen you are to do the effective single line section to Henwick Crossing (ooh that reminds me of something I've wanted to do for a long time, getting a photo from that crossing, and I'm in Worcester tomorrow), then yes you'd need to go to Malvern Link. Not a bad thing, it's a nice little station. Great Malvern is nicer, it must be said, and Lady Foley's Tea Room on the Up platform at Great Malvern is worth a visit.

As for track coverage, I'm not really into that these days. My last new bit was Kraków Airport into Kraków in January 2020!

Peter Mugridge · 2 Apr 2021

Yes, it's Tunnel Junction to Henwick Crossing Junction that I need - I have the other two sides of that triangle. You're right, I'll need to go to Malvern Link; if I'm going to the trouble of getting the rest of it I'm not going to leave that little bit outstanding am I?! :lol:

Techniquest · 4 Apr 2021

Peter Mugridge said:
Yes, it's Tunnel Junction to Henwick Crossing Junction that I need - I have the other two sides of that triangle. You're right, I'll need to go to Malvern Link; if I'm going to the trouble of getting the rest of it I'm not going to leave that little bit outstanding am I?!

Indeed, might as well get it done and out of the way forever! It's a nice part of Malvern, a good number of takeaways and shops not far from the station too. If real ales are your thing, Link Wines do a really good selection of local and European stuff, both the 'Euro lager' kind and proper Belgian stuff.

Of course, it's most likely you'll just get off one train and onto another going back towards Birmingham. Which is admittedly the sort of thing I used to do, these days it's all about exploring and using the railway more as a positioning tool. Should have done it years ago really, although equally I'd have missed out on all the exciting motive power!

It's an awesome part of the world for hiking though, and a trip up the Malvern Hills is an amazing experience. Been a long time since I went but it's a lasting memory that won't soon be forgot!

EDIT: If you haven't already done it, I would recommend visiting Worcester Cathedral. I re-visited yesterday, and it is as amazing as I remembered it. Incredible piece of architecture!

Blindtraveler · 4 Apr 2021

Very glad I got all the bits and pieces in and around Worcester done and dusted before the motive power in the area got a lot less interesting. Nothing wrong with the 172 but the the likelihood of at least one 170 expedition on that section is far too high for my liking

Another recommendation for the extremely classy refreshment facilities at Great Malvern

Peter Mugridge · 20 Apr 2021

19/04/21

Stourbridge Junction - Droitwich Spa

Tunnel Junction - Henwick Crossing Junction

In case anyone is wondering... I eventually decided on the Chiltern route; there's an Epsom - Worcester Chiltern only fare available for £32.20 with the railcard, and a Worcester - Great Malvern at £4.25. Why Great Malvern when I only needed to go to Malvern Link? Shorter fester for the same train back, and the price was the same, so...

Techniquest · 20 Apr 2021

That's a good fare on Chiltern for the distance, fair play. Good shout on festering at Great Malvern too, nicer place to wait. Looking forward to reading details of your adventure in your trip report thread when it's ready

NoMorePacers · 2 Jun 2021

To revive this thread:

31/5
Derby - Cardiff Central
Cardiff Central - Coryton
Cardiff Central - Radyr (via City Line)
Radyr - Cardiff Queen Street (via Cathays)
Cardiff Central - Barry Island
Barry - Bridgend
Bridgend - Maesteg
Bridgend - Cardiff Central (via Pontyclun)
Heath Junction - Rhymney
Cardiff Queen Street - Cardiff Bay
Cardiff Central - Swansea
Swansea - Carmarthen

1/6
Carmarthen - Milford Haven
Whitland - Pembroke Dock
Newport - Crewe

319364 · 2 Jun 2021

1/6/21
Bexhill - Ashford International

rg177 · 2 Jun 2021

Last week saw me tick off:

Par-Newquay
Lingfield-East Grinstead
Winchester-Basingstoke
Halton Curve

D841 Roebuck · 5 Jun 2021

30/05/2021
Thorpe-le-Soken to Clacton
Marks Tey to Sudbury

31/05/2021
Guildford to Dorking (Deepdene)

01/06/2021
Surbiton to Effingham Junction (Via Claygate)

Blindtraveler · 6 Jun 2021

Last weekend saw Ipswich to Lowestoft, wymondham to Ely and Ely to stowmarket all kicked off, just need the sheringham line and Norwich to wymondham which was buses last weekend to finish everything in that area on the Anglia plus. This will then leave me with a few of the branches further up to do before that entire part of the UK is finished

Monday saw the minster curve also into the book, with a very pleasant way of reaching it via a a coastbound express run on a 465 with all the windows open much to the annoyance of someone on the other side of the aisle who kept shutting his.

Previous weekend got me Sheffield to Lincoln and platform 0 and associated layout at Leeds as well as finally finishing the shiply triangle, I never come out of Leeds towards Forster Square before but glad to have that also in the bag

Kite159 · 6 Jun 2021

One of the lines via Cricklewood Depot :lol:

A Challenge · 12 Jun 2021

Wednesday 9th June
Woodhouse Jn to Kiveton Park
Worksop to Kiveton Park

Haven't put any of the rest of this year so far in here yet but done Chesterfield to Sheffield via Barrow Hill and Woodhouse, Grantham to Doncaster and Doncaster to Nunnery Main Line Jn, plus the Goods lines at Hendon over the MML on the EMR HST working that way

NoMorePacers · 13 Jun 2021

12/6
North Staffs Junction - Stoke-on-Trent
Ambergate Junction - Matlock
Helpston Junction - Syston Junction
Mansfield Junction - Worksop
Shireoaks East Junction - Nunnery Main Line Junction

That’s the regular passenger track in the East Midlands almost wrapped up - all that remains now is Leicester - Birmingham and Kettering - Manton Junction.

A Challenge · 15 Jun 2021

Monday 15th June
Langley Mill to Radford Jn
Fiskerton to Netherfield Jn
Trent East Jn to Sheet Stores Jn

NoMorePacers · 16 Jun 2021

16/6
Stoke Works Junction - Shelwick Junction
Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury

NoMorePacers · 23 Jun 2021

23/6
Norwich - Sheringham
Whitlingham Junction - Lowestoft
Lowestoft - Ipswich
Haughley Junction - Coldham Lane Junction

Was meant to have Felixstowe to add to that, but alas a deer on the Bittern Line decided it was not to be.

NoMorePacers · 28 Jun 2021

26/6
Colchester - Walton-on-the-Naze (including the Colchester Town triangle)
Thorpe-le-Soken - Clacton-on-Sea
Shenfield - Southend Victoria
Stansted South Junction - Stansted North Junction

2021 New track coverage

Veteran Member

RailUK Forums

Established Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Member

Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Veteran Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Veteran Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member

Established Member