I've honestly no clue, but the Marston Vale portion of the route (Connection Stage 2) needs upgrading before it can accommodate EWR services, including the redoubling of track at Fenny Stratford, a replacement station for Bedford St Johns at Bedford Hospital, line speed increases, the need for a passing loop at some point along the line and (if I've read the EWR website correctly) a remodel of Bedford station. I don't really know if anybody knows if/when this will ever happen given the state of GB rail at the moment.
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Would it not make sense to upgrade where required before the remainder of the line is ready? They had ample opportunity to do this when there were no services.
Similarly wouldn't it make sense to start using 196/0s instead of the 150s to begin training?
An elephant in the room was iirc the reduction in stations on the Marston vale line to suit East West Rail.
Is that rationalisation issue being kicked down the road ?.
Was the obliteration of the service this year an opportunity ?.
Has the obliteration of the service helped un-justify some of the stations ?.
Was it to be an all stations Marston Vale service overlaid with a faster East West Rail Service ?.
Have I got my memory wrong ?.
ARE WE DRIFTING OFF TOPIC ?.
EDIT - below added 04/01/2024.
I thought I would add these from the non-urgent TOPS thread as they add a bit of info on progress.
Anyone know any of these London Midland stock running on 1st Jan 2024, don't need full unit numbers if it helps, just the stock formations like 3 car 196 or 2 car 172 would be fine just need stock types for SimSig timetable I'm doing:
2J14 09.56 Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury
2J16 10.56 Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury
2J18 11.56 Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury
2J20 12.56 Birmingham New Street - Shrewsbury
(Should be all 4 that were out I believe, I can work the rest from their circuits)
1F62 15.34 Birmingham New Street - Liverpool, I was in New Street today trying to locate some stock formations, I noted this as a 4 car 350 now I'm not sure if that was actually an 8 car or if I was right in seeing a 4 car)
1V21 16.50 Birmingham New Street - Hereford
1V22 17.20 Birmingham New Street - Hereford
1V25 18.20 Birmingham New Street - Hereford
1V27 19.20 Birmingham New Street - Hereford
Any of the above stock formations would really be appreciated! Not a West Midlands expert by any means but I am otherwise assuming the Shrewsbury's and Hereford's were all 196's (saw the 15.50 ex New Street to Hereford as a 3 car 196, presuming the rest possibly were as well?)
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Hi,
All 4 2Jxx services ran and were formed of 4 car Class 196s.
1F62 was a 4 car 350.
1V21 - 2 car 172.
1V22 - 2x 2 car 196s
1V25 and 1V27 - 4 car 196
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All Hereford to Birmingham services are booked for a 4 car 196 now. The 172s are ad hoc covering when they appear now, like above.
I have noticed since December 2023 a pair of 2car 196/0s occasionally appearing on the Shrewsbury route, sometimes a singe 2car. I think 4car 196/1s are the intended, certainly were the norm before December 2023.