The Anonymous Widower

Green Light For Revived West Midlands Passenger Service

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail News.

This is the introductory paragraph.

Passenger trains are set to return to the line between Walsall and Wolverhampton, having been withdrawn 12 years ago. Since then, the line has been used for freight.

These points are made about the proposed service.

• Network Rail have agreed the timetable.
• It will be an hourly service between Walsall and Wolverhampton.
• Trains will call at Darlaston and Willenhall, where plans are in place for new stations, as I wrote in Reopening Of Darlaston And Willenhall Train Stations Moves Closer.
• There will also be a second hourly service between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton via Tame Bridge, Darlaston and Willenhall.
• Both routes appear to be electrified.

The West Midlands Mayor; Andy Street is quoted as saying he’s pleased with the scheme.

And well might he be!

This to me is a classic reopening scheme.

• There is a fully-electrified freight route, that runs between Walsall and Wolverhampton.
• There used to be three intermediate stations; Darlaston James Bridge, Willenhall Bilston Lane and Portobello.
• The first two intermediate stations closed in 1965 and the last in 1973.
• Network Rail have said, it will be possible to run the extra trains needed.
• The direct Walsall and Wolverhampton service will complete an hourly or better triangular service between Birmingham, Walsall and Wolverhampton.
• This triangular route is also fully-electrified.
• If extra rolling stock is needed, there are quite a few suitable electric multiple units, that are sitting in sidings or will be replaced by new trains in the next couple of years.

Except for the building of the new intermediate stations, nothing would appear to be high cost.

The project must have a high benefit cost ratio.

A Possible Extension From From Walsall To Aldridge

In the Wikipedia entry for Walsall station, this is said.

There are also plans to reopen a terminus single platform at Aldridge for trains to Birmingham New Street via Walsall but not to Sutton Coldfield and Water Orton.

This service would be on part of the freight-only Sutton Park Line between Walsall and Water Orton stations and is regularly used by freight trains avoiding Birmingham New Street station.

This Google Map shows the Sutton Park Line through Aldridge.

Note.

1. The Sutton Park Line is double track and not electrified.
2. The road running South of the railway is called Station Road, which is a bit of a giveaway.
3. There is a xrossover visible in the image,

There would appear to be space for a reopened station. between the railway and Station Road.

• It could have a single platform.
• There could be adequate car parking.
• There would be no need for an expensive bridge.
• The station could be designed to be converted into a two-platform station if a full service were to be run on the Sutton Park Line at a future date.

As the station would be no more than about five miles from Walsall station and its electrification, the extended service from Walsall could be run by a battery-electric train.

Conclusion

I predict, that if this route is reopened and it is a success, other parts of the UK will want to open more freight lines to passenger traffic.

These similar projects have already been widely mentioned.

• The Leamside Line between Ferryhill and Newcastle stations. See Boris Johnson Backs Station Opening Which Could See Metro Link To County Durham.
• The Ivanhoe Line between Burton-on-Trent and Leicester stations. See Reinstatement Of The Ivanhoe Line.
• Newcastle And Ashington. See Northumberland Unveils £3.5m Rail Project To Bring Back Passenger Services.
• The Camp Hill Line In Birmingham. See First Passenger Train In 80 Years Runs On Camp Hill Line.
• The Barrow Hill Line Between Sheffield and Chesterfield. See Reinstatement Of The Barrow Hill Line Between Sheffield And Chesterfield.
• The Fawley Line Between Totton And Fawley. See Reintroduction Of Passenger Rail Services On The Waterside Line.

Most of these reopening, would just need refurbishment and some new stations.

June 21, 2020 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Aldridge Station, Barrow Hill Line, Camp Hill Line, Darlaston James Bridge Station, Fawley Branch Line, Ivanhoe Line, Leamside Line, New Stations, Walsall Station, Walsall-Wolverhampton Line, Willenhall Bilston Street Station, Wolverhampton Station