I’m doing a Caledonian sleeper service from London Euston to Carlisle but here’s the question would it have to pass Bingham? New Street as of 2026 they stop at Birmingham International which is one stop from Birmingham new Street I mean in train sim world we have technically still got the whole route London Euston to Milton Keynes Birmingham new Street to crewe and Preston to Carlisle (though back dated )
ok another question can it be diverted to Birmingham new Street if there was engineering works or issues on it’s usual route. Grok said Apparently, I don’t know if this is true. The old sleepers from the old BR days used to go to Birmingham new Street up to crewe
is there two Birmingham Internationals ? Birmingham International And Birmingham International north junction
Nope, the Class 92 isn't cleared for New Street. They way its been pathed is, if it can't go via Bescot, it will run via the Trent Valley and won't call at Birmingham International.
I always assumed it was purely down to engineering works that they divert down the ECML but a few month back I wa awaiting for it late night and a fellow rail fan swore blind that they are contracted with a freight company to run so many ECML diversions a year to maintain traction knowledge. Whether it is true or not I’ve no idea but it did kind of make sense in my head