VOLUME 35 No.10 October 2007 - Intercity Railway Society
VOLUME 35 No.10 October 2007 - Intercity Railway Society VOLUME 35 No.10 October 2007 - Intercity Railway Society
operate Cl.350 EMUs, shared with Silverlink County, on stopping services to Liverpool and Northampton. Cl.323 EMUs are preferred on trains to Birmingham International, Walsall, Wolverhampton and the cross city line from Lichfield TV to Redditch. Central Trains is also to disappear in November, the services being split largely between two new franchises, West Midlands and East Midlands. Silverlink County will be absorbed into the West Midlands franchise. Arriva Trains Wales is the only other TOC to be seen, with a two hourly service to Aberystwyth, usually Class 158 hauled, although Cls.150 and 153 have been used. Silverlink County Cl.321 EMUs can also be seen. Freight Traffic: There are no regular diagrammed workings during the day. Central Trains 170107 & (Centro) 323219 & Arriva Wales 158825 across the entire western throat from end of platform 4c, B’ham New Street, 25 September 2007 Best Spotting/Photography Sites: Though New Street is busy, the variety of rolling stock is now very limited. Spotting is possible from the end of every platform but no one position allows views of the entire station. Trains terminate in many of the platforms and return from the direction they came, so much walking up and down and changing platforms has to be done and keen attention is needed to avoid missing anything. The curve of the higher numbered platforms makes it difficult to see from one end to the other, as does the dark nature of the centre of the station. Binoculars are essential. At the eastern end, the lower numbered platforms are best, which allow some through views of the western end of the station. By moving about on the higher numbered platforms some views through to the west can be had but are hampered by the curvature. All movements at this end can be seen from any platform. At the western end the higher numbered platforms are shorter and have restricted views even of platforms 1-4. The best platform is the extended 4c, which also gives fairly unobstructed photo opportunities of the entire throat. It also has the advantage of being under cover of a road bridge above, though this means it is in the shade. Photography is both challenging and interesting owing to the great contrast in light, the platform ends may be bathed in sunshine criss-crossed by overhead roadways and the centre is very gloomy. Photographs can be taken from all platform ends with varying degrees of obstruction and shadows from catenary gantries, signals and signs. The glass encased footbridge at the west end has possibilities if the
weather is particularly inclement. Depending on the platform, trains can be photographed approaching through all the tunnels. Views can also be had down onto the eastern throat from the entrance access road bridge and St Martins Circus above New Street Tunnels…as long as you are not too short !! It is very much a case of personal choice as to where you view or photograph from and depends on the weather and if certain types of rolling stock only are wanted. For instance Arriva Trains Wales services only terminate at the western end. All other operators either run straight through or terminate at either end with some leaving as soon as they have arrived. One fact is fairly certain, it is almost impossible to record everything, far better to stay in one place then move to another. The longer the stay, then most services can be covered. New Street operates a signing in book for photographers. Facilities: No food outlets are to be found on the platforms, only vending machines. However numerous outlets are situated on the connecting concourse area above, inside and outside of the ticket barriers. Additionally the Pallisades and Bull Ring Shopping Centres are near at hand as is the Market two minutes from the forecourt. Central Trains (Centro) 150101 heading east from platform 6 with the landmark Rotunda tower above B’ham New Street, 25 September 2007 Central Trains (Centro) 150013 waiting to head east from platform 1, from platform 4 showing Pallisades above B’ham New Street, 25 September 2007 An article on the other Birmingham stations, Moor Street and Snow Hill will follow. RAILWAY CRIME REPORTING To help the reputation of genuine enthusiasts may we remind Members of the following dedicated British Transport Police telephone contact nos. for the reporting of Crime and Incidents: Graffiti/Vandalism via Crimestoppers (annonymous)………. 0800 555111 Anti-Terrorist (confidential)……… 0800 789321 Non-Emergency Railway Crime………. 0800 405040 graffiti can also be reported on-line at graffiticrime@btp.pnn.police.uk
- Page 1 and 2: INTERCITY RAILWAY SOCIETY Monthly M
- Page 3 and 4: Society Notice Board Editor’s Com
- Page 5 and 6: 17 th August: 66420 4A66 47854 1H85
- Page 7 and 8: 17 th September: 66232 4V17 66194 4
- Page 9 and 10: Preservation News Severn Valley Rai
- Page 11 and 12: Traffic & Traction News by John Bar
- Page 13 and 14: Location ‘Spot’light by Trevor
- Page 15: Station Layout: The station lies on
- Page 19 and 20: NORWICH - 7 September 2007: At last
- Page 21 and 22: TRAM NEWS: Light Rail and Metro New
- Page 23 and 24: HQ TTLS: 08411 08441 08460 08484 08
weather is particularly inclement. Depending on the platform, trains can be photographed approaching<br />
through all the tunnels. Views can also be had down onto the eastern throat from the entrance access<br />
road bridge and St Martins Circus above New Street Tunnels…as long as you are not too short !!<br />
It is very much a case of personal choice as to where you view or photograph from and depends on the<br />
weather and if certain types of rolling stock only are wanted. For instance Arriva Trains Wales services<br />
only terminate at the western end. All other operators either run straight through or terminate at either<br />
end with some leaving as soon as they have arrived. One fact is fairly certain, it is almost impossible to<br />
record everything, far better to stay in one place then move to another. The longer the stay, then most<br />
services can be covered.<br />
New Street operates a signing in book for photographers.<br />
Facilities:<br />
No food outlets are to be found on the platforms, only vending machines. However numerous outlets are<br />
situated on the connecting concourse area above, inside and outside of the ticket barriers. Additionally<br />
the Pallisades and Bull Ring Shopping Centres are near at hand as is the Market two minutes from the<br />
forecourt.<br />
Central Trains (Centro) 150101<br />
heading east from platform 6<br />
with the landmark Rotunda tower above<br />
B’ham New Street, 25 September <strong>2007</strong><br />
Central Trains (Centro) 150013<br />
waiting to head east from platform 1, from<br />
platform 4 showing Pallisades above<br />
B’ham New Street, 25 September <strong>2007</strong><br />
An article on the other Birmingham stations, Moor Street and Snow Hill will follow.<br />
RAILWAY CRIME REPORTING<br />
To help the reputation of genuine enthusiasts may we remind Members of the following dedicated<br />
British Transport Police telephone contact nos. for the reporting of Crime and Incidents:<br />
Graffiti/Vandalism via Crimestoppers (annonymous)………. 0800 555111<br />
Anti-Terrorist (confidential)……… 0800 789321<br />
Non-Emergency <strong>Railway</strong> Crime………. 0800 405040<br />
graffiti can also be reported on-line at graffiticrime@btp.pnn.police.uk
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