Direct Wolverhampton to Walsall service (Saturdays Only)

[Kite159]

By direct I mean the Saturday morning only service which runs non-stop from Wolverhampton to Walsall around 06:38 in the morning (rather than the half hourly stopping service).

How long have these services been going via Soho junction rather than the direct route via Portobello?

For example:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P46184/2017/10/14/advanced

 

[louis97]

It ran via Portobello last week - http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P46184/2017/10/07/advanced

This weekend would of been the first weekend with it via Soho.

Not sure why it is going via Soho from now, although I do remember there was a period last year where it went via Soho. I think it was around this time too.

 

[Kite159]

I can remember it coming up last year as going via Soho but couldn't find the thread, seems odd as it means the curve from the Portobello line towards Walsall itself is uncovered by passenger service [the other side linking the Portobello route towards Tame Bridge covered by a few end of the day services).

Anyhow, fingers crossed it runs via Soho on the 25th November as I need that side of the triangle

 

[D.K.TAYLOR]

I can remember it coming up last year as going via Soho but couldn't find the thread, seems odd as it means the curve from the Portobello line towards Walsall itself is uncovered by passenger service [the other side linking the Portobello route towards Tame Bridge covered by a few end of the day services).

Anyhow, fingers crossed it runs via Soho on the 25th November as I need that side of the triangle

The line is retained for route knowledge and as such runs Saturdays only it did have a service via Portobello to Walsall but ceased about 2 years ago

 

[LowLevel]

It's back running via Portobello Jn by early January 2018 so probably some kind of engineering block occurring?

 

[Confused147]

I don't know why they run Wolves to Walsall via New Street which is such a long journey for such two places so close together.
Cant they run Wolverhampton to Walsall via quick route then reverse at Walsall to combine into a Walsall to New Street Stopper?? That's assuming the route is fully electrified for 323 operation.

 

[dk1]

I don't know why they run Wolves to Walsall via New Street which is such a long journey for such two places so close together.
Cant they run Wolverhampton to Walsall via quick route then reverse at Walsall to combine into a Walsall to New Street Stopper?? That's assuming the route is fully electrified for 323 operation.

Been tried before. Absolute disaster & lost money hand over fist. Without local council support there is no hope.

 

[Gathursty]

What is the state of bus services between Wolverhampton and Walsall?
Is there much patronage on these bus routes?

 

[ChrisHogan]

It used to be the 529 National Express route but I think it's been renumbered. A very frequent and well-patronised bus service.

 

[Kite159]

From the latest BLN,

Darlaston Junction to Walsall Pleck junction is closed to electric stock until March due to work on the overhead interface at Pleck junction due to the Chase Line electrication.