DMU Operations: Western Region
Birmingham - Hereford
Sample Timetables
8 May 1978 to 13 May 1979
3" x 4"
14 May 1979 to 11 May 1980
3" x 4"
12 May 1980 to 10 May 1981
3" x 4"
5 January 1980 to 31 May 1981
3" x 4"
4 October 1982 to 16 May 1983
5 1/2" x 6 1/4" unfolded
30 September 1985 to 11 May 1986
3" x 4"
Images
25th March 1961
A Swindon Cross-Country DMU, led by W50651, is seen taking the Stourbridge line at The Hawthorns Halt with the 4.00pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Hereford service on 25 March 1961. Michael Mensing.
1st June 1963
Approaching Ledbury Tunnel is the 4.05pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Hereford service on 1 June 1963 formed of a Swindon Cross-Country DMU. Michael Mensing.
16th May 1964
The 4.30pm Hereford - Birmingham Snow Hill is seen leaving Colwall on May 16, 1964. It is formed of Tyseley set 316 with DMBS M50075 at the front. Michael Mensing.
27th May 1972
Three class 116 DMUs combine on this Birmingham New Street to Hereford service as it passes Smethwick West on 27/5/1972. Whilst services in those days were not frequent, I would imagine that this was to move I or 2 of the units to Kidderminster or Worcester. The Rowley Hills can be seen in the distance. Stephen Burdett.
May 1975
Metro-Cammell Class "101" Local Passenger 3-car dmu Nos.M50324 (101/1), M59123 (171), M50306 (101/2), of the 1958 batch with 2-character headcodes, in Rail Blue livery with all yellow front ends, at Hereford ready to depart on a service to Birmingham (New St), 05/75. Hugh Llewelyn.
May 1975
Tyseley three-car Class 101 DMU set TY412 at Hereford ready to depart on a service to Birmingham (New St) in May 1975. Hugh Llewelyn.
7th August 1976
Refurbished Class 116 DMU set C311 (presumably 50895 + 59350 + 50842) passes Kidderminster Junction signalbox on 7 August 1976. It is displaying 'Special' on the destination blind but Michael recorded the train as the 16:50 Hereford - Birmingham New Street. Michael Mensing.
1977
I think that this was the first Class 100 DMU that I'd seen in Hereford. Here it is at the rear of a Birmingham-bound train, passing a rake of Mobil gas tanks on the down main in 1977. It appears to be M50340 and is displaying set number TY409 so is likely part of a Met-Camm set. John Crooks.
14th July 1980
Class 101 DMU set TS407, 50336 is presumably closest, alongside the Worcester & Birmingham canal between Five Ways and University with a service to Hereford on 14 July 1980. Neil Smith.
October 1980
Class 119 588 at Worcester Shrub Hill October 1980 Steve Robinson.
14th October 1983
Class 117 DMU set B438 (51382 and presumably 59492 + 51339) approaches Monument Lane at 12:09 with the 10:28 Hereford-Birmingham New Street service on Friday 14 October 1983. Stuart Mackay Collection.
September 1984
Looking west from the level crossing at Stoke Edith as Class 116 DMU set TS616 heads towards Hereford. September 1984. John Crooks.
September 1984
Class 116 DMU Tyseley set TS616 (presumably 53887 closest) approaches Stoke Edith level crossing on the then, soon to be singled stetch of track between Ledbury and Shelwick Junction with a Hereford bound train. September 1984. John Crooks.
October 1984
Met Cam 3 car set, C811 (presumably 51801 59548 51519) passes through Tarrington, between Hereford and Ledbury, with a Birmingham - Hereford train, October 1984. John Crooks.
29th April 1985
Class 117 Set B431 (presumably 51411 + 59521 + 51369) on a 12:xx Birmingham - Hereford service approaches Great Malvern on Monday 29th April 1985. Colin Brooks.
6th July 1985
Class 117 B427 (51407, 59517 + 51365) were pictured at Droitwich Spa with a Hereford to Birmingham New Street train on 6 July 1985. In all honesty I took this shot largely because of the presence of some loaded wagons in the siding alongside the up loop; the first and indeed only time I saw anything on either line. Peter Tandy.
6th July 1985
Class 119 Cross-Country set B590 (51087 + 59418 + 51058) was entering Droitwich Spa station with a Birmingham New Street (via Bromsgrove) to Hereford when I took this image on 6 July 1985. The main point of this viewpoint was to include the centre pivot lower quadrant signals in case they were replaced with colour lights in the near future. They weren't, and still are in use in 2024 unlike the trackwork leaving the former coal yard which has long been removed. Peter Tandy.
summer 1985
The "Chocolate & Cream" set B430 (51410 + 59520 + 51368) with another set on the rear approaches Hereford from Birmingham circa summer 1985. John Crooks.
7th April 1986
Class 101 DMU set C820 (51512 + 59093 + 51500) at Hereford on 7 April 1986. Stuart Mackay Collection.
5th June 1986
Tyseley's class 116 T615 (presumably 53850 + 59591 + 53102) working a Birmingham New Street to Hereford service approaches the stop at Langley Green station on a dull and misty 5 June 1986 as 31 142 takes chlorine tanks from Allbright and Wilson's through the yard at Rood End to Bescot and eventually ICI Wilton. Peter Tandy.