Smethwick Junction
Encyclopedia
Smethwick Junction is a junction on the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line
. With Galton Junction
, northbound trains on the West Coast Main Line's
Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line
can join the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line
in a westbound direction.
Until the re-opening of Birmingham Snow Hill for stations to Kidderminster
, all passenger services routed via Smethwick and Galton Junctions to reach Birmingham New Street. With this re-opening, use of the link between the two junctions has sharply decreased. This was compounded with the removal of the service to New Street, and now only selected freight services and charter trains use the link. It has also been used as a way to divert trains to Cheltenham Spa
via Stourbridge Junction
and Worcester Shrub Hill
. In addition, the first and last CrossCountry
services of the day, which start and terminate at New Street, will occasionally use this junction.
On November 12th 2011, London Midland
operated a service from Birmingham New Street to Kidderminster as part of a farewell to it's Class 150 fleet.
Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line
The Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line is a commuter railway line from Birmingham Snow Hill to Worcester via Stourbridge and Kidderminster. It is part of the Snow Hill Lines, with trains operated by London Midland and Chiltern Railways using by and diesel units...
. With Galton Junction
Galton Junction
Galton Junction is a minor junction on the West Coast Main Line's Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line. With Smethwick Junction, it allows northbound trains from the RBS to join the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line in a westbound direction and vice versa.Until the re-opening of Birmingham...
, northbound trains on the West Coast Main Line's
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line
Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line
The Rugby–Birmingham–Stafford Line is a railway line in central England. It is a loop off the West Coast Main Line between Rugby and Stafford via the West Midlands cities of Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton.-Places served:The cities, towns and villages served by the line are listed...
can join the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line
Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line
The Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line is a commuter railway line from Birmingham Snow Hill to Worcester via Stourbridge and Kidderminster. It is part of the Snow Hill Lines, with trains operated by London Midland and Chiltern Railways using by and diesel units...
in a westbound direction.
Until the re-opening of Birmingham Snow Hill for stations to Kidderminster
Kidderminster
Kidderminster is a town, in the Wyre Forest district of Worcestershire, England. It is located approximately seventeen miles south-west of Birmingham city centre and approximately fifteen miles north of Worcester city centre. The 2001 census recorded a population of 55,182 in the town...
, all passenger services routed via Smethwick and Galton Junctions to reach Birmingham New Street. With this re-opening, use of the link between the two junctions has sharply decreased. This was compounded with the removal of the service to New Street, and now only selected freight services and charter trains use the link. It has also been used as a way to divert trains to Cheltenham Spa
Cheltenham Spa railway station
Cheltenham Spa railway station is in Gloucestershire, England, on the Bristol-Birmingham main line. It is managed by First Great Western and is about one mile from the town centre.-History:...
via Stourbridge Junction
Stourbridge Junction railway station
Stourbridge Junction railway station is a railway station on the Birmingham, Worcester and Kidderminster Line in West Midlands, England. Stourbridge Town Branch Line runs from the station to Stourbridge town centre...
and Worcester Shrub Hill
Worcester Shrub Hill railway station
Worcester Shrub Hill railway station is one of two railway stations serving the city of Worcester in Worcestershire, England. It is managed by London Midland, and it is also served by First Great Western....
. In addition, the first and last CrossCountry
CrossCountry
CrossCountry is the brand name of XC Trains Ltd., a British train operating company owned by Arriva...
services of the day, which start and terminate at New Street, will occasionally use this junction.
On November 12th 2011, London Midland
London Midland
London Midland is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Legally named London and Birmingham Railway Ltd, it is a subsidiary of Govia, and has operated the West Midlands franchise since 11 November 2007....
operated a service from Birmingham New Street to Kidderminster as part of a farewell to it's Class 150 fleet.