Great celebrations at Birmingham Moor Street station today as Chiltern prepared to launch its new timetable for the services from tomorrow (Sunday 12th December).
Of course, the big news is the move of 1 off-peak service an hour away from Birmingham Snow Hill to start at Moor Street on the 55 mins past the hour (from 9.55)with an improved journey time of 2 hours. (Coming back, the equivalent 20 minutes past the hour - from 9.20 manages the journey in 118 mins).
However, the more intriguing development is the use of Wrexham and Shropshire stock and crew for the 05.46 from Moor Street and the 16.33 return. This locomotive hauled train is timed to take 126 mins to London and 122 minutes back.
In the strangely titled leaflet 'Important information for regular sevice users', Chiltern state the First Class carriage of this stock will be available to all Chiltern Railways ticket holders (ie standard class) and that there will be a full catering service offering breakfast on the way up to London and dinner on the way back. What it doesn't say is whether the Wi-Fi will be available...
Given that Wrexham and Shropshire staff are superb, the stock is the best loco-hauled stock on the network, and the meals are simply deliciously good value, one wonders why Chiltern are downplaying this brilliant move on their part... After all, at £35 advance or £49.50 walk-on plus £12.50 for the meal (presuming it follows W&S pricing) from Birmingham AND £30.90 walk-on back from London plus £12.50 for a meal, it knocks spots off Virgin's early morning / early evening offering!
By the way DON'T pay Chiltern's peak return fare from Birmingham as there are NO peak fares from London Marylebone. See my blog post of June for full details.
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