Dinosaur Alley, class 304 units at Walsall
With just a few weeks left in service, 304009 is photted at a wintry Walsall with the 1240 New st service on February 8th 1996
I think we can all remember spotting trips to Bescot in the 70’s. The unit from New St was either a class 310, later 312, or a 304 “dinosaur”. Even in 1973 the 304’s seemed old but their bouncy ride in sumptuous sofa seats and unique power car “roars” made them a firm favourite for many of us.
As below all the class 304’s worked the Walsall branch right up to 1996, probably first starting in 1966. It is very likely 304026 (the 1967 Stetchford crash victim) did work the Walsall branch, although as yet, no gen. The Walsall branch was electrified in 1966 by which time the “dinos” were already 7 years old!
A huge thanks to Dave Spencer of Hampstead who commuted home from New St on these fine units from 1981-1988 keeping meticulous records as seen below. He had a very rare “dino” failure with 304029 failing at Bescot on a New St – Walsall service, 25275 assisting to Walsall on October 12th 1981.
1987 on the Walsall branch must get a mention as to quote Dave “the dinosaur strikes back”!!. From Jan – May 10th 1987 Dave had many 312’s on his commute home with just 6 “dinos” logged. From the May 11th 1987 to December 1987 he had 27 different “dinos” on 76 commute home turns!
1988 saw a return to the gradual decline in 304 turn but some still worked to Walsall as late as Feb 1996 but by the following month the “dinos” had worked their last turns ever.
304001 1830 Birmingham NS – Walsall 241183
304002 1147 Walsall – Birmingham NS 141095
304003 1712 Birmingham NS – Walsall 021283
304004 1502 Birmingham NS – Walsall 120593
304005 2030 Birmingham NS – Walsall 030882
304006 1930 Birmingham NS – Walsall 300783
304007 xxxx Birmingham NS – Walsall 110378
304008 1712 Birmingham NS – Walsall 210384
304009 1212 Birmingham NS – Walsall 080296
With Walsall in her destination blind, 304009 is seen at New St with the 1212 to Walsall on February 8th 1996
304010 1612 Birmingham NS – Walsall 200384
304011 1212 Birmingham NS – Walsall 150783
304012 2030 Birmingham NS – Walsall 110380
304013 1531 Birmingham NS – Walsall 061193
304014 1830 Birmingham NS – Walsall 160383
304015 xxxx Walsall – Birmingham NS 220873
304016 2130 Birmingham NS – Walsall 090483
304017 New St – Walsall (non stop) 1202 Birmingham NS – Walsall 071292
304018 1512 New St – Walsall (via Soho) 031070
304019 0940 Walsall – Birmingham NS 080982
304020 1612 Birmingham New St – Walsall 231182
304021 0903 Birmingham NS – Walsall 050294
304022 1712 Birmingham – Walsall 281083
304023 1715 Birmingham NS – Walsall 120380
304024 xxxx Birmingham NS – Walsall 150677
304025 2030 Birmingham NS – Walsall 090383
304026 —- unit destroyed in fatal Stechford collision 280267
304027 1612 Birmingham NS – Walsall 300683
304028 2030 Birmingham NS – Walsall 241081
304029 1645 Birmingham NS – Walsall (fail BS, 25275 assist) 121081
304029 1712 Birmingham – Walsall 011183
304030 0735 Walsall – Birmingham NS 130190
304031 1439 Birmingham NS – Walsall 241281
304032 1606 Birmingham NS – Walsall 290587
304033 1635 Birmingham NS – Walsall 240970
304034 1539 Stoke – Walsall 130491
304035 1606 Birmingham NS – Walsall 310787
304036 1712 Birmingham NS – Walsall 061170
304037 1606 Birmingham NS – Walsall 040987
304038 1613 Birmingham NS – Walsall 110381
304039 1606 Birmingham NS – Walsall 020487
304040 xxxx Birmingham NS – Walsall 220873
304041 1412 Birmingham NS – Walsall 260770
304042 2030 Birmingham NS – Walsall 290782
Thanks to Dave Spencer for this Newton Road view of 304042 on a New St – Walsall service in the Spring of 1986
304043 1612 Birmingham NS – Walsall 221183
304044 1930 Birmingham NS – Walsall 260280
304045 1805 Walsall – Stoke 130491
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