More participants had assembled on New Street P12 to join the 10.22 to Redditch, gaining a further member at University (who had also been the first ever passenger to join the first train there when it OP 8 May 1978), making a total of 14 which nicely fills the front section of an EMU/DMU. For some the long 'dynamic loop' through the new Alvechurch station was a first. After changing ends at Redditch, a rather slow return was made to New Street, where nothing was running to Galton Bridge due to a trespasser at Wolverhampton. Most left by the 'B' exit onto Corporation Street to take a Tram to Bull Street stop for Snow Hill station (there is no point in going to Snow Hill tram stop, which does not have convenient access to that station!) and the 12.17 to Dorridge as far as Moor Street. Back on plan, the group travelled from bay P4 in the comfortable stock of the 12.55 to Marylebone with 68008 'Avenger' as far as Solihull for the following 13.34, a 2-car Chiltern DMU from Moor Street booked via the Up Dorridge Passenger Loop. The Cross Country train due to overtake it here was significantly late but the kind signal box fairy was looking out for us and the loop was traversed. Alighting at Dorridge, the refurbished ex-GWR waiting room on the Up platform was admired then it was the 14.21 to Stratford-upon-Avon via the Hatton North curve. This now has significantly more trains than the south curve!

A very tight 'connection' was made at Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway (a first for most) by rushing over the bridge for the 14.41 (which was arriving on the other platform as we did), rather to the surprise of the conductor on this Chiltern service to Leamington Spa (bay P4). With its return at 15.32, the Up & Down Claverdon loop, Hatton London End crossovers and the unpredictable Stratford-upon-Avon P3 were covered. Thanks again to the good signal box fairy. The DMU waits there from 16.12 until its next working at 17.36 to Marylebone. Then the 16.26 for Stourbridge Junction via the North Warwick (note not Warwickshire!) line, which came within a hair's breadth of closure in 1969 and was only saved by some local authorities obtaining a last minute High Court injunction over the replacement bus services.

In fact, our train was so busy the conductor announced that it would call at all the 'request stops' anyway - and there were passengers for each. Alighting at Whitlocks End the large car park was pleasingly full. The group crossed to the Down platform to join, along with quite a few 'normals', the 17.19 departure over the crossover, then to Tyseley. Here we joined the busy 17.47 London Midland service to Leamington Spa, surprisingly via the Up Dorridge loop again to allow the 14.35 Newcastle to Reading to pass. Members alighted at Warwick for the 16.24 from Marylebone, a real slow coach, overtaken at Bicester and, hats off to the train planners then back on again at 'Hatton' in P3, where, (after 68011 had passed through P2 non-stop on the 17.15 Marylebone to Kidderminster) it took the choice link to the main line. For most the highlight of the day. We continued to Snow Hill P2 and returned at 19.17, so stayed on back over the facing (platform not tunnel) crossover to Moor Street.

The 19.44 back to Snow Hill P3 gave the facing tunnel crossover on the 50ch journey; then there was the option of a fill in to Moor Street (yet again) before making to Stourbridge Junction for the facing crossover there into P2. Next a trip on that old favourite of BLS members, the 62ch Stourbridge Town branch with its distinct Parry People Mover, amazingly now carrying over 600,000 passengers per year. The return to Snow Hill was via the crossover out of Stourbridge Junction P3 on the 20.57. After a break (of which there were conveniently several throughout the day with plenty of food and drink outlets available), we were off for 'moor' on the 22.12 Snow Hill P1 to Moor Street P1 via the tunnel trailing crossover to complete the set. A few went to New Street for the Hednesford train and crossover as a finale to a very sociable, interesting and enjoyable day. Thanks are due to Ian Delgado for planning the route, and to Kev Adlam for leading the group on the day.

A detailed schedule, Dave Cromarty's West Midland area map and route notes were included as a download with e-BLN 1267. Dave's excellent supplement of pictures - old and new - of locations on the route can be found here.