On Mar 4, 6:31*pm, darkprince66
wrote:
Centro also wants a 10 minute frequency local service between Solihull
and Stourbridge Junction, doubling the existing 20 minute service.
With the hourly non stop XC train between New Street and Leamington,
and 2ph Chiltern trains to Marylebone, plus pathing for freight and
the odd WSMR train that runs via Solihull, a relatively easy option
would be to restore the 4 track section between Tyseley and Solihull,
or maybe even Dorridge. Not particularly cheap, as extensive
alteration would be needed at Acocks Green and Widney Manor as car
parks cover the formation, a couple of bridges would need to be
restored and Bentley Heath crossing would need to be reworked, but the
formation is otherwise still there, and the platforms are still there
at Olton and Solihull. Of course, it would have made sense for the
Snow Hill Cross City trains to go to Chiltern rather than ending up
with London Midland so that total integration of the services could be
achieved, but sense and railways don't often end up in bed with each
other....

I agree wholeheartedly; I have always felt that the former four-track
segment between Dorridge and Tyseley should have been re-quadrupled a
long time ago. I hope Chiltern chooses to consider this as part of
Evergreen 4.

The only thing I would interject is the requirement that the junction
between the relief lines and the main lines south of Dorridge
incorporate a grade separation of some type, allowing trains from the
down main and up main access to the down relief and up relief (and
vice versa) without obstructing anything. The simplest option would be
a flyover or diveunder for the up relief, bringing it outside of the
up main and providing a high-speed convergence. Such a junction would
provide maximum flexibility, especially since London Midland will be
running the 'local' services and Chiltern/WSMR/Virgin running the
'main' service.