West Midlands Ranging
A short day out
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2016
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
14 December 2016
There’s no avoiding the limited hours of daylight - it was still
getting light as I drove to Wellington, for the 9.00am train, and
the sun was setting as we trundled back towards Snow Hill, on
the 3.26pm from Stratford. Within those limits - and just outside
them - we’ll experience considerable variety, in the form of
operators, rolling stock and stations.
We’re travelling on a West Midlands Day Ranger - £25, or £16.55
with a railcard. I’m joining a friend who’s travelling from Crewe
(the northern end of the range), and if we meet at Stoke, I can
travel over the new flyover at Norton Bridge. So that’s a London
Midland cl 170 from Wellington, a CrossCountry “Voyager” (glad
I’m not going far on that one!) and an LM 350/1 from Stoke to
Rugeley. There’s a big hand on Stoke station platform - and in its
palm, a little statue of Chronos. Presumably it’s to ensure the
trains are all waved away on time.
We’ve time to kill at Rugeley - so there’s opportunity for a few
photos- a couple of southbound frieghts and innumerable Virgin
Pendolinos and Voyagers - before heading for New Street via
Cannock Chase. It was freight only not so many years ago, but is
now being electrified - apparently. We saw few signs of progress
- has it become a power cut?
From New Street, it’s a quick march to Moor
Street, where a cl 68-propelled Chilterns Trains
service to Marylebone is waiting. This is a real
train! Comfortable, spacious, clean, neat if
understated interior decor, and seats in bays
which line up properly with the windows... It’s
a shame to have to get off it at Leamington,
but that’s the limit of the ticket. We’re heading
now for Stratford (a Chiltern cl 165), and it’s time for
refreshments.
Duly refreshed, we’re back to Stratford station, and the sun’s
low in the sky as our LM cl 172 pulls out. It’s set by the time
we’ve arrived at Snow Hill (what a shame the old station was
demolished - and how fortunate we are to still have Moor
Street). There’s time to record a couple of trams in Stephenson
Street, before squeezing into the 5.05pm train back to
Wellington. There’s a supermoon low in the sky as I drive home
(yes, the weather’s been unxpectedly good too) - Wensleydale, is
it? It’s certainly been a grand day out!
