site last updated on
5 december 2019
welcome to the slug website
publications
Sample articles from SLUG
magazines, plus a full back issue catalogue for SLUG members
gallery
Photo galleries and videos
related to the Stourbridge line
timetables
Current and historic rail and bus timetables for Stourbridge line services
news / comment
The latest news from SLUG plus a full archive of news items since
2009
consultations
SLUG responses to rail industry and local authority consultations
campaigns
The current SLUG campaigns to improve services along the Stourbridge line
stations
Information about each station along the line including bus and train times
walsall line
The latest reopening news and recent photographs taken along the line from Wednesbury to
Stourbridge Junction
external links
Links to websites of organisations with links to SLUG
INDUSTRIAL ACTION LATEST : The strike action by the RMT against West Midlands Trains has been suspended to allow for a referendum on a new offer. This outcome means this Saturday’s strike has been called off. However, West Midlands Railway says that the agreement has come too late to withdraw the amended timetable on Saturday 7 December and passengers are advised to check before they travel. For full details, please click on the date to the left.
A number of events to celebrate 140 years of the Stourbridge Town branch are taking place. On 1 October, the actual anniversary of the line opening, every traveller on the Town Shuttle service will receive a special commemorative ticket. Full details of the celebrations may be viewed by clicking on the date to the left.
Rail union RMT has confirmed that it has declared a dispute on West Midlands Trains over plans by the company to bulldoze through Driver Only Operation and rip apart the safety critical role of the guard at the platform/train interface. Preparations for a ballot of guards for both strike action and action short of a strike are now underway. In response, a West Midlands Trains spokesperson said: "We reached a framework agreement with RMT in May last year which guaranteed a safety-critical conductor would be retained on every passenger train. Dialogue has been ongoing since then but it appears RMT has now changed its position."
20
Sep
2019
Midlands Connect has announced a £3.5billion programme of improvements that will deliver a step-change in rail connectivity across the East and West Midlands region. The programme is made up of seven projects, identified and developed due to their fundamental importance in ensuring the region’s future social, environmental, and economic success. To read the “Midlands Engine Rail” document, click on the date to the left.
Engineering work will take place on the Chiltern main line on 14/15 September and 22 September with no through trains operating between the West Midlands and London Marylebone. The majority of Chiltern services on the Stourbridge line will operate but the 0910 from Kidderminster on 14 September, 1113 from Kidderminster on 22 September and the 2310 arrival at Kidderminster on 22 September have been cancelled. Full details may be viewed by clicking on the date to the left.
Essential track replacement work will be taking place between Worcester Shrub Hill and Droitwich Spa over the weekends of 28/29 September and 5/6 October. Stourbridge line services will terminate at Droitwich Spa with bus replacement services operating between Droitwich and Worcester. The information provided by West Midlands Railway may be viewed by clicking on the date to the left.
