Railways around Coventry

For those interested, when I was a lad we lived next door to the old colliery railway. Talking to an old railway guy he told me that the width of the tracks was decided by a horses bum. The tracks built to take the existing horse drawn rail wagons from mine workings. The width being decided by the shafts that horses had to fit between. The distance between the Roman chariot wheels are almost the same width, as train lines of today

I was up near Tile Hill Station the other week and quite a few people in that area commute by train - but to Birmingham not Coventry. As can be seen the car park is well used but an equal number of commuters park their cars in surrounding streets to the annoyance of the residents.

Houses to be built on Coventry loop line

Trainspotting Live on BBC

Hi all Whilst travelling on the Ninky-Nonk (the hourly train service between Nuneaton & Coventry) yesterday, I was shown a notification that has been given to operating staff saying that the service is going to be increased to every 30 minutes. I do not have any dates or further information at present.

Hi all Sweet memories for my friend Midland Red. Pictured from this morning.

Thanks for that, Philip - can you believe it's over three years since our visit One for you, too - I hadn't planned to be in Coventry at all today, but as I was, I ventured to Coventry Arena for my first visit, just in time to catch sight of 66020 ahead of Intermodal 4O21 09.15 Trafford Park Euro Terminal to Southampton Western Docks Berth 109

Hi Midland Red, Whilst on my way home, I caught this class 66 heading your way with a load of Range-Rovers, about 3pm. A few minutes later, the return empties heading towards B'ham. I was travelling on my free pass, which on such a hot day, the air-con trains were like paradise. I haven't forgotten Dorridge for a chip meet, when it is comfortable to sit out. Top secret now, Shhhhhhhhh everyone! Pam being so wonderful, wants to treat me later this year, to a weeks first-class go anywhere in the UK ticket. With my railcard will cost over £450, but the fact that complementary meals are included makes it quite convenient. Not thought anymore since she suggested it last weekend.

Hi all A bit of light reading for the NUCKLE "Ricoh line". Vivarail. The company involved. So, will we have our own Coventry unique "Overground" or is it a "Diesel/Electric Tram"? Movie Clip

Hi all Major Travel Disruption. *************************** Knowing that the former GWR route from B'ham Moor Street, to Bicester (anything through Leamington that is) was going to be closed for several days starting today, I decided to see for myself what was what. You see the dedication from our forum. Until we hear that those works are complete, may I suggest we "Ring the Royal" on "Whitehall 1212" rather than attempt to travel. That also includes Cross Country train services through Coventry, as there aren't any. Chiltern railways have put on loads of coaches to make up for some of the disruption but it is only a sticking plaster. Added to which, an unplanned failure of signalling equipment in Mid-Wales has stopped all trains to & from Central Wales leaving loads stranded. Further to that chaos, the tram route into B'ham New St, is terminating at Snow-Hill, so as to permit engineering works into Grand Central today & tomorrow. My attempt to see what is what today, would have on any other day taken me a couple of hours at most. Today it has taken me over four & a half hours. The situation is compounded as starting next week, the line south of Oxford is similarly treated. Our Oxfordshire correspondent may be able to give us the latest on that nearer the time. Then to cap it all, on my way home, there has been another bus incident in Trinity St, for which I have no details, except that the Stage-Coach bus was blocking the top of Trinity St, secured by police incident tape. Bus incident news. Rail Disruption

Hi all Whilst the Chiltern & Cross-Country train services to the south remain in the sidings, the local West Midland train network is running more or less as normal. Birmingham trams will be terminating at Snow Hill next weekend again, but they are running normally during the week. My trip today was messed up by a tragedy at Berkswell just after lunch time. With such a complex network, the railways do try to accommodate if they can when there is an issue. The train that I was on at New Street, was diverted via Nuneaton, missing out Coventry, as the line was blocked at Berkswell. The train stopped specially at Nuneaton, where my bus-pass was rendered as valid on the line to the Ricoh. Perfect!

Rugby Midland, 1968, courtesy Coventry Telegraph

Duchess of Sutherland (46233) is due through Coventry 13:40 tomorrow (Friday 5th) on its way from Butterley to London. Revised timings Peter