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Elliott Brown Rivers, lakes & canals
13 Apr 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Dudley Port to Sandwell & Dudley canal walk along the BCN New Mainline in Sandwell

Getting the train up from Birmingham New Street on Good Friday, 7th April 2023 to Dudley Port, near Tipton in Sandwell. The canal towpath access is nearby for the BCN New Mainline, which is high up. A long straight canal developed by Thomas Telford, there is several branches off the canal, and runs alongside the railway. Getting off at Oldbury Road, found the Wednesbury Old Canal as well.

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Dudley Port to Sandwell & Dudley canal walk along the BCN New Mainline in Sandwell





Getting the train up from Birmingham New Street on Good Friday, 7th April 2023 to Dudley Port, near Tipton in Sandwell. The canal towpath access is nearby for the BCN New Mainline, which is high up. A long straight canal developed by Thomas Telford, there is several branches off the canal, and runs alongside the railway. Getting off at Oldbury Road, found the Wednesbury Old Canal as well.


Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline

This was an afternoon walk from Dudley Port to Sandwell & Dudley via the BCN New Mainline, starting at Dudley Port, near the Ryland Aqueduct, down to the Albion Bridge at Oldbury Road. Could have stayed on to Bromford Road, but found the Wednesbury Old Canal from Albion Road, and walked around past some steel works.

 

Dudley Port

Getting the train on Good Friday, 7th April 2023 from Birmingham New Street to Dudley Port. The exit is via some steps and a small subway to a car park, and the Dudley Port road. Walking under the Dudley Port Station Bridge and the Ryland Aqueduct, found a towpath access path up to the Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline. With this view of Dudley Port Station. Trains are every half an hour in both directions, when I arrived on my train to Wolverhampton, was another train going to Walsall via Birmingham New Street. This is the ideal start for a canal walk on a sunny afternoon.

dndimg alt="Dudley Port" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudley%20Port%20Station%2007042023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Ryland Aqueduct

The Ryland Aqueduct crosses the Dudley Port road, and is next to the Dudley Port Station Bridge. There is a view to Dudley in the distance up this road. The no 74 bus between Dudley and Birmingham passes under it.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudley%20Port%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rattlechain Bridge -  Site of Dixon's Basin

This bridge is just after the Ryland Aqueduct. It is cut off, so you can't walk over it, the towpath is to the right of it. The basin was probably behind where the fence is now.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RB%20SDB%20BCN%20NML%2007042023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dudley Port Junction

A short walk down from Dudley Port Station and the Ryland Aqueduct, gets you to Dudley Port Junction. Two bridges here, the Dudley Port Junction Bridge and the Dudley Port Roving Bridge, under which is the start of the Netherton Tunnel Branch

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dudley%20Port%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Netherton Tunnel Branch

The Netherton Tunnel Branch is part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. Starting here at Dudley Port Junction with the BCN New Mainline, it goes towards Windmill End Junction, where it joins onto the BCN Old Mainline. It was built from 1855 and was opened in 1858. One of the last canals to open. The canal was repaired in 1983 and 2013.

dndimg alt="Netherton Tunnel Branch" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Netherton%20TB%2007042023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rattlechain Bridge and the site of the Rattlechain Brickworks Basin

Another bridge here, and a small pool of water next to the BCN Mainline. Not much to see here now, nature has reclaimed the land here.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/RCB%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Dunkirk Toll Island

This is also called  the Dunkirk Stop Island. Narrowboats can go either side of it.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DTI%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Albion Junction

At Albion Junction is the Albion Junction Bridge. It is where you can find the Gower Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Albion%20Jctn%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Gower Branch

The Gower Branch Canal starts here at Albion Junction with the BCN New Mainline, and is another part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations. It was authorised in 1768, but was not completed until 1836. It goes towards Brades Hall Junction with the BCN Old Mainline. On the day of this visit, in April 2023, the towpath was closed. The canal lock beyond was probably closed for repairs.

dndimg alt="Gower Branch" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Albion%20Jctn%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Union Furnace Bridge

This bridge is on Union Road, but is cut off now by the railway. Nearby is William King Ltd. They are a steel stockholder and supplier in West Bromwich.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Albion%20RB%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Albion Railway Bridge

This railway bridge is between Sandwell & Dudley and Dudley Port on the Stour Valley Line, it is at this point that the railway and the BCN New Mainline switch sides.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Albion%20RB%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Albion Bridge

It was a long walk from Dudley Port, and I decided to get off at the Albion Bridge on Oldbury Road, for a walk to the nearest station of Sandwell & Dudley. I would have headed to the right, but headed to the left via Albion Road, and found the nearby Wednesbury Old Canal (see below).

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AB%20BCN%20NML%2007042023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From the Albion Bridge

I exited at Oldbury Road, on the Albion Bridge, near Oldbury. This was the view from the other side of the bridge. Pudding Green Junction is on the left, and this is the start of the Wednesbury Old Canal (see below). This is the direction towards the Bromford Bridge.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCN%20NML%20Albion%20Br%2007042023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From the Bromford Bridge

The Bromford Bridge is on Bromford Road, close to Oldbury, and Bromford Lane in West Bromwich. This is the closest part of the canal to Sandwell & Dudley Station.

dndimg alt="BCN New Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCN%20NML%20Bromford%20Rd%2007042023.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Wednesbury Old Canal

Saw a bit of the Wednesbury Old Canal from Albion Road, on the Izon Bridge. The canal was opened in 1769, but parts abandoned between 1955 and 1960. So only the section between Pudding Green Junction and Ryder's Green Junction is navigable now.

 

Pudding Green Junction Bridge

This bridge is at Pudding Green Junction, at the start of the Wednesbury Old Canal and the BCN New Mainline.

dndimg alt="Wednesbury Old Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wednesbury%20Old%20Canal%2007042023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Trident Steel Works Conveyor Bridge

This bridge can be seen from the other side of the Izon Bridge on Albion Road in West Bromwich.

dndimg alt="Wednesbury Old Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wednesbury%20Old%20Canal%2007042023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Travel & tourism
29 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Cadbury Crème Egg car in Stirchley and Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste monster truck at Cadbury World in Bournville

Cadbury Creme Egg car can sometimes be seen in Stirchley near the Pershore Road (opposite the Fordhouse Lane junction). It's just behind the gate during the week (if not at the weekend). Over at Cadbury World in Bournville is a jacked up former Taxi that looks like a Mini Monster Truck! Which was seen during the snow earlier in March 2023.

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Cadbury Crème Egg car in Stirchley and Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste monster truck at Cadbury World in Bournville





Cadbury Creme Egg car can sometimes be seen in Stirchley near the Pershore Road (opposite the Fordhouse Lane junction). It's just behind the gate during the week (if not at the weekend). Over at Cadbury World in Bournville is a jacked up former Taxi that looks like a Mini Monster Truck! Which was seen during the snow earlier in March 2023.


The Cadbury Crème Egg car can be seen near the Pershore Road in Stirchley, close to Stirchley Gearbox Services. I've only managed to see it during the week (it wasn't there the weekend I tried to get close to it). It is almost Easter, so only a week or two left before Cadbury stop selling them, until after Christmas next year!

Seen on the 28th March 2023. I had previously seen it earlier in the month, and once aware of it, travelled to Stirchley on the 4th March 2023, but it wasn't there. Saw it again from the bus almost a month later, so made my way back to Stirchley to see if it was still there!

dndimg alt="Cadbury" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cadbury%20Creme%20Egg%2028032023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

On the snow of 9th March 2023, I got a train from Birmingham New Street to Bournville. Had a snowy walk past the Cadbury chocolate factory, and around to Cadbury World.

I found this Cadbury Dairy Milk Big Taste, Mini Monster Truck. Well its a former taxi / Hackney carriage, jacked up as a monster truck! Seen covered in snow. It was really cold that day in Bournville.

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Cadbury Dairy Milk" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Big%20Taste%20Cadbury%20World%2009032023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Transport
08 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Taxi exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum in 2019

I've been to the Coventry Transport Museum around three times between 2015 and 2019, when entry used to be free (has been an entrance fee since 2020). The last time I went around March 2019, for an exhibition called TAXI: The Story from A to B (was on at the time from January to May 2019). Had UK taxis as well as taxis from around the world. Including New York and Tokyo.

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Taxi exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum in 2019





I've been to the Coventry Transport Museum around three times between 2015 and 2019, when entry used to be free (has been an entrance fee since 2020). The last time I went around March 2019, for an exhibition called TAXI: The Story from A to B (was on at the time from January to May 2019). Had UK taxis as well as taxis from around the world. Including New York and Tokyo.


Coventry Transport Museum is a short distance away from Pool Meadow Bus Station. So if you don't get the train, you can catch the X1 bus from Birmingham (takes over an hour, via the Airport and NEC). On these visits I used to start by going to Esquires Coffee, before going into the museum (it is now Baxter Baristas @ 16 Hales Street).

 

TAXI: The Story from A to B

From horse drawn to horse power, the history of the taxi is much older than you think. From record breaking cabs that drove around the world, to hackney carriages throughout the ages. This is the Story from A to B.

Free Admission (not on the meter). It was on from the 26th January to 12th May 2019.

Did you know that the much loved feature of London streets has been made in Coventry since the 1940s?

They have been ferrying millions of passengers around the UK and in more than 40 countries.

The recent TX4 black cab model has starred in more than 5000 films including in James Bond, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes.

 

Here is some of the taxis that was on display in this temporary exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum, back in 2019.

 

Humber Laudette 1910 London Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

FX3 1948-1958

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX1 1997-2017

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sent to Coventry - 2 Tone Taxi - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Japan Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

New York Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Get Taxi Breaking a World Record - It's on the Meter World Taxi Challenge

Aston University, Birmingham, QUT Business School.

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rickshaw

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Tuk Tuk

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX E City Electric Future

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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Elliott Brown Transport
01 Mar 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry

I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.

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Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry





I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.


Coventry Station

Arriving at Coventry Station on Avanti West Coast Pendolino Flying Scouseman 390 148 on the 23rd February 2023. Mainly to have a look around the new Coventry Station concourse (the old 1960s building remains as is Grade II listed). Caught at Birmingham New Street, this train was going down the West Coast Mainline towards London Euston. The train stopped at platform 2. After my walk around Coventry (via War Memorial Park and the City Centre), I got Cross Country Trains back to Birmingham New Street (standing all the way, no free seats).

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The previous time I'd been to Coventry Station was on the 12th June 2021, where I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010, with the 'Welcome to Coventry' sign. That day I got Avanti down to Coventry from Birmingham New Street, and later back with this train.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20Cov%20(Jun%202021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham International Station

I previously saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 152 at Birmingham International on the 3rd September 2022. But that day got London Northwestern Railway back to Birmingham New Street. This Avanti service was heading for Edinburgh at the time.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham New Street Station

Seen from platform 4c at Birmingham New Street was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 135 at platform 5 (5b) on the 19th June 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20390%20BNSS%2019062021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While at platform 3 (3b) that day was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 122.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A pair of Avanti West Coast Pendolino's Class 390 recorded at Birmingham New Street, from the Moor Street Link Bridge on the 17th October 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2017102021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

At Birmingham New Street on the 20th August 2020,  I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 127 in the new livery. Earlier that year before the pandemic began, they were still white, after the end of Virgin Trains in December 2019.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Elliott Brown Transport
21 Feb 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221

Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.

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Centro Regional Railways livery on 323221





Eventually the Cross City Line fleet of the awesome Class 323 EMUs will be replaced by the new Class 730 EMUs. In December 2022 West Midlands Railway 323221 was repainted in classic 1990s yellow and green livery of Centro | Regional Railways. BWA's Elliott first photographed it at University on 11/02/2023, then rode it from Birmingham New Street to Shenstone and back on 15/02/2023.


Centro Regional Railways 323221

West Midlands Railway repainted the Class 323 unit 323221 in the 1990s livery of lime green, yellow and white with Centro and Regional Railways logos at the Soho depot. It returned to service on the 19th December 2022.

Birmingham We Are contributor Elliott Brown first spotted it at Selly Oak near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal a day later (near Selly Oak Shopping Park on 20/12/2022), but was unable to get a photo of it.

Several other attempts to see it including a trip from Five Ways to Longbridge (and back to Kings Norton on 21/12/2022), then Birmingham New Street to Aston (and back from Duddeston on 01/01/2023), finally Bournville to Birmingham New Street one way (on 28/01/2023), didn't catch it.

 

Previous liveries over the years

London Midland 323221 at Aston Station during August 2012.

dndimg alt="Aston Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/LM%20323221%20Aston%20(Aug%202012).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

London Midland 323221 at Witton Station during September 2012.

dndimg alt="London Midland" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Witton%20Station%20(Sep%202012)%20(5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

London Midland 323221 at Bournville Station during January 2015.

dndimg alt="London Midland" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bournville%20Station%20(Jan%202015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 in London Midland livery, late December 2017, at Birmingham New Street Station. The franchise changed that month.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%20(Dec%202017).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Chester Road Station during December 2018.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Chester%20Road%20West%20Midlands%20Railway%20323221.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

West Midlands Railway 323221 at Selly Oak Station during August 2019.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Station%20(Aug%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

 

University Station - 11th February 2023

On this day I went to the Selly Oak Shopping Park and walked up the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to catch a train one way from University to Birmingham New Street. And I finally got 323221 arriving on a service to Redditch! It was quite awesome to see. The station here is still not complete. At the front that day was 323204.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The platforms here feel extra long, but don't walk past the no pedestrians sign at the end.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Sometime in the future you will be able to use both sides of the new station building, but it is still not open or complete.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

First full view of the back of 323221 in it's "new" Regional Railways livery.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These units still had this livery into the Central Trains era, but was changed to a darker green, yellow and white livery under London Midland from 2007 to 2017.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Eventually when West Midlands Railway took over in 2017, they got a orange and white livery. They are due to be replaced by the new Class 730 Aventra with orange and purple livery sometime in the future, by 2024.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Uni%20Station%2011022023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Video clip on Youtube here West Midlands Railway 323 at University.

 

Birmingham New Street Station - 15th February 2023

A few days later, I went to Birmingham New Street to get the train to Shenstone in Staffordshire, to see the Annatomix mural. And guess what, Centro Regional Railways 323221 showed up at platform 8! So I got on it and had a half hour ride to Shenstone. While there was 11am emergency alarms tests at the station, but departed a few minutes later.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Class 323's have a big gap between the platform if they are curved, so MIND THE GAP.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The refurbished interior is unchanged from when West Midlands Railway did up the entire fleet from 2018 to 2021.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

My walk around the village of Shenstone gave me time to get back to the station and back on West Midlands Railway 323221 in Regional Railways Centro livery, and back to Birmingham New Street. Arriving at platform 12.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20BNSS%2015022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Shenstone Station - 15th February 2023

Between Sutton Coldfield and Staffordshire as usual is all the fields, and after that Shenstone is the first station outside of the WMCA. Got off West Midlands Railway 323221 at Shenstone. It was a bit bright from this side as I exited the station. Couldn't initially saw the Annatomix. A half hour walk around the village, found three pubs, and several old churches.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The station building at Shenstone probably dates to 1884 but isn't listed, sunlight to bright from this side, was better to see from the car park.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Up the steps to Lynn Lane, for a half hour walk around Shenstone.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Railway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMR%20323221%20Shenstone%20Stn%2015022023%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After the walk, back to Shenstone Station. The Annatomix was in the bike store area on platform 2. This time 323221 was at the back, with 323207 at the front, still I decided to get on 323221 again for the half hour train ride back to Birmingham New Street from Shenstone.

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323207 passed under the Lynn Lane bridge.

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Six carriages on three car sets linked together. The WMR livery contrasts with the Centro Regional Railways livery behind.

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Yellow doors with the Centro logo, press the button to open the doors when it lights up.

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Photography by Elliott Brown

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