Railways around Coventry

Hi all Viva train news Media news on the issue It does not look good at present.

The Chase Line (Walsall-Rugeley) electrification will free up some Class 153 units at the end of this year. London Midland currently have 8 class 153s. These are scheduled for withdrawal as they are now 30 years old and do not have a disabled toilet, which will be mandatory for all rolling stock after 2020 (trains built before they became mandatory have a dispensation until then). There is a option to refurbish them and with electrification problems delaying the cascading of diesels to other lines and pacers due to be scrapped there is likely to be a major refurbishment programme or a new train order. I think the former is more likely as it is cheaper. Peter.

Love these old ones Neil thanks. You must feed us some more!!!

No prob I'm not sure if they are repairing bomb damage or dismantling the old station.

Neil, it says D. Lynch in the window, they were demolition contractors.

Danny Lynch and his brother Benny were both involved in demolition, Benny knocked down large parts of Hillfields including Eli's triangle. Danny and latterly his sons took on building projects and before they went into receivership completed the rugby stadium in the Butts. I worked on it briefly, another large job they did was an office block on the site of Binley Park School.

One that I don't think has featured before

Hi all Just a few miles north, inside the Leicestershire boarder, at Shenton on the Battlefield line. It was like being at Padstow, Cornwall, sixty years ago. A dozen of these veterans were housed at Exmouth Junction HQ, where they worked the North Cornwall line to Padstow until 1963. Affectionately known as the Greyhounds, a class from 1899, officially known as the T9s, they were fabulous locos. Seeing one so close to home has just made my day. From Wiki, "Operational details The T9 Class locomotives were well liked by their crews, and gained the nickname Greyhounds early in their operational career due to the good turn of speed that these locomotives were capable of on LSWR expresses. Indeed, even in old age they were still capable of speed in excess of 80mph. They proved of great use west of Salisbury where their light axle loadings and short frame lengths were better suited to the tight curves of the Southern's Western Section. In 1947, 13 locomotives were converted to oil burning. This experiment ended in 1948, and all locomotives involved were withdrawn LSWR/SR 119 (BR 30119) was used by the Southern Railway and early British Railways as a Royal engine and as such was painted in malachite green livery. The class remained intact throughout Southern Railway ownership 1923-1947 and 20 still remained on BR's books in 1959, being used on lighter duties in the westcountry. All, however, had been withdrawn by 1963 upon the advent of the BR Modernisation Plan." A picture recorded in Wadebridge, as I remember these working racehorses in 1959. A short clip from last weekend. Battlefield Line T9 Another clip from You-Tube Battlefield Line T9

Coventry Evening Telegraph - Monday 15 December 1941 When Nazis Bombed Coventry's Railway SERVICES MAINTAINED DESPITE DAMAGE The story can now be revealed of the extent of the damage Coventry railway station resulting from air attacks during November last year, and the Spring of this year. Prior to November a number of bombs had fallen in the vicinity of the station, but on the night of November 14 nine high explosive bombs fell on the station itself, and two, which failed to explode, went through the main booking hall and the taxi cabmen's shelter. A stationary train standing on the Leamington line just outside the station was hit during this raid, and the bodies of two coaches were wrecked. Fortunately, there were no passengers in the coaches the time. In addition about 50 yards of the roofing of the up platform at the south end of the station was destroyed. Other bombs fell on the track near Canley gates, and on the line between Coventry and Foleshill, including two on Spon End arches. Very little damage was done to the Coventry-Rugby line, and pending the repair of those lines that were damaged, services were maintained by the ultilisation of motor 'buses. Little damage was done during raids in April this year. Several bombs fell in and around the station and although traffic was dislocated all the lines were kept open. Bombs again fell in the station, and on the Nuneaton and Leamington lines during the second raid in April, resulting in the slowing-down of traffic. In the morning a singleline system was put into operation, and south-bound traffic had to be diverted via Leamington until normal working was resumed in the evening.

Network Rail have been doing tree clearing around Naul's Mill Viaduct which has opened up some new photographic opportunities. Peter.

60103 "Flying Scotsman" will be passing through Coventry on Tuesday 13th June on a London-Oxford-Chester train. It is due to pass Coventry at 13:12 and head to Nuneaton where it's scheduled to stop for 15 minutes (timings). The return working is diesel hauled. Peter.

Thanks for the heads-up Peter.

Flying Scotsman at Three Spires Junction. It looks like the Prologis branch hasn't been used for a while. Peter.

Hi Peter, Hi all You are correct I am sure. I cannot remember when the branch was last used. It finished up with just the bottled water trains from France. Love your picture. I saw it go by at Longford, I was on the canal towpath. Thank you for your info on this as well as your picture. We look forward to your most reliable info on this subject.