Wolves to Brum diversion

[ahad]

I’m on the 16:08 service from Lime Street to New Street. It runs non stop from Wolves to New Street but leaving Wolves it has just ‘turned left’ and is timetabled to take 25 minutes.

Anyone know why it does this and doesn’t go the more direct route? Not as if it stops at Tame Bridge etc.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I’m on the 16:08 service from Lime Street to New Street. It runs non stop from Wolves to New Street but leaving Wolves it has just ‘turned left’ and is timetabled to take 25 minutes.

Anyone know why it does this and doesn’t go the more direct route? Not as if it stops at Tame Bridge etc.

The direct route can be quite busy.
Also maybe a way of turning the train at Birmingham New Street. This would save time at the platform and also tie up less track (cross over).
Also a chance for the driver to keep their route knowledge alive (typical diversionary route).
I am sure someone will have a better answer.

 

[ahad]

I wondered whether it was due to congestion, but we overtook the Avanti service at Wolves so didn’t seem overly busy.

Took an even stranger route than I first realised. Out to the M6, and past the RAC then cut back in to rejoin the usual line by the new Sandwell Hospital. So not even doing the loop out to Aston and in to New Street the other way.

 

[Harpo]

Bescot and Soho then as booked.

The path of it’s booked preceding train* on other days, suggests it’s a useful diversionary knowledge opportunity instead of a heavily padded path via Tipton.

* 5Q45 15+25 Chester to Tyseley

Realtime Trains | 5Q45 1525 Chester D.M.U.D. to Tyseley L.M.D. | 22/04/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q45 1525 departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Tyseley L.M.D. on 22/04/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Keithheller]

Booked via Heathtown to keep up train crew route competency.