| Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by ellendune at 18:18, 8th November 2025 |     |
From the Stroud News and Journal
Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud and Stonehouse
THE NEWS that direct trains to Birmingham could soon return to Stroud and Stonehouse for the first time in more than 20 years has been welcomed by key figures.
The plans are part of the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub scheme, which aims to boost rail services across the region by adding up to 260 additional weekly services through Stroud and Stonehouse.
A new hourly direct route between Swindon and Birmingham - through Stroud and Stonehouse - could be introduced, re-establishing a connection last served in the early 2000s.
A new hourly direct route between Swindon and Birmingham - through Stroud and Stonehouse - could be introduced, re-establishing a connection last served in the early 2000s.
The article continues
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by ChrisB at 18:49, 8th November 2025 | |
Sure does....
"Hopefully this could also bring the long-awaited and much-needed accessibility changes we need made to Stroud Railway Station, as otherwise those with mobility issues will find that whilst the journey could be made, their experience accessing the town will be less than positive."
Might be an idea if the good councillors arranged for their kerbs to be dropped otherwise wheelchairs won't be welcome even if the station becomes accessible - the town isn't....
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by infoman at 04:39, 9th November 2025 | |
Would this West Midlands money be better spent on bringing over heads wires to Bristol temple meads for the Bristol to Manchester services?
Just think how much more pollution would be removed from Birmingham new street train station.
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by John D at 08:07, 9th November 2025 | |
Would this West Midlands money be better spent on bringing over heads wires to Bristol temple meads for the Bristol to Manchester services?
Just think how much more pollution would be removed from Birmingham new street train station.
Just think how much more pollution would be removed from Birmingham new street train station.
Some of the route is already wired, although only 2 of 4 tracks are done around Kings Norton. I think the Midlands Hub is due to do this anyway.
And the section from near Yate to Filton is also electrified.
There is a short section of electrification at Swindon end of line from Kemble too.
If Filton Bank into Temple Meads is done, then don't need to add very much (makebe short section to accelerate northwards from Yate) to allow Battery EMUs (rather than bimodes) to take over the service.
And as the bridges to Water Orton are being raised for adjacent HS2 tracks that section would be easy to electrify too (which allows BEMUs to reach Central Rivers Depot)
Regarding New Street after the cross city line was electrified air quality was much better, but has become lot worse since voyagers were introduced 24ish years ago, as it was rebuilt with expectation of locos at the end of trains, so the exhausts were in open air section, not in the covered section with concourse and shops above.
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by ellendune at 11:44, 9th November 2025 | |
Would this West Midlands money be better spent on bringing over heads wires to Bristol temple meads for the Bristol to Manchester services?
This is a false comparison as the electrification is capital investment and a new service is revenue.
Just think how much more pollution would be removed from Birmingham new street train station.
OK but this service would transform journeys from Swindon to the midlands and the north as the change at Cheltenham can be somewhat of a lottery adding up to an hour to the journey time. Think how much pollution this would remove from our roads.
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by ellendune at 11:50, 9th November 2025 | |
From the Swindon Advertiser
Swindon to Birmingham train line return to bring 12,750 jobs
An extract
The £1.75 billion investment aims to improve rail connections across the Midlands, South West, and South Wales.
The first phase of the Midlands Rail Hub is expected to create more than 12,750 jobs and deliver benefits for travellers in the region.
Swindon North MP Will Stone met with Midlands Connect and rail leaders at Swindon railway station to discuss the scheme’s potential, which could introduce up to 130 extra trains per week between Swindon and Birmingham.
The MP said he will be working to ensure Swindon benefits not just from the rail connection but also ensure companies in the town are involved in the supply chain jobs and provide apprenticeships for young people in our town.
Mr Stone said: "It’s fantastic that Swindon could be benefiting from the Midlands Rail hub expansion.
"We’re a town built on connection via the railways, and so it’s great to see Swindon getting an hourly service between a fellow industrial town like Birmingham."
The first phase of the Midlands Rail Hub is expected to create more than 12,750 jobs and deliver benefits for travellers in the region.
Swindon North MP Will Stone met with Midlands Connect and rail leaders at Swindon railway station to discuss the scheme’s potential, which could introduce up to 130 extra trains per week between Swindon and Birmingham.
The MP said he will be working to ensure Swindon benefits not just from the rail connection but also ensure companies in the town are involved in the supply chain jobs and provide apprenticeships for young people in our town.
Mr Stone said: "It’s fantastic that Swindon could be benefiting from the Midlands Rail hub expansion.
"We’re a town built on connection via the railways, and so it’s great to see Swindon getting an hourly service between a fellow industrial town like Birmingham."
| Re: Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud, Stonehouse and Swindon Posted by ChrisB at 12:29, 9th November 2025 | |
From the Stroud News and Journal
Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud and Stonehouse
The plans are part of the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub scheme, which aims to boost rail services across the region by adding up to 260 additional weekly services through Stroud and Stonehouse.
Direct trains to Birmingham could return to Stroud and Stonehouse
The plans are part of the £1.75 billion Midlands Rail Hub scheme, which aims to boost rail services across the region by adding up to 260 additional weekly services through Stroud and Stonehouse.
From the Swindon Advertiser
Swindon to Birmingham train line return to bring 12,750 jobs
An extract
Swindon to Birmingham train line return to bring 12,750 jobs
An extract
Swindon North MP Will Stone met with Midlands Connect and rail leaders at Swindon railway station to discuss the scheme’s potential, which could introduce up to 130 extra trains per week between Swindon and Birmingham.
Hmmm.......making it all up again.....we'll see.
