Click here for Worcestershire's Railways from 1985 to 1989
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All photographs on this page were taken by and are the copyright of Andrew Smith unless otherwise credited.
The most significant event affecting Worcestershire's railways in 1990 was the launch on 31st January 1990 of Centro which was a rebranded marketing name for the much loved West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive or 'Wumpty' to its supporters. 'Wumpty' was a product of the 1968 Transport Act which merged the transport operations of Birmingham and the Black Country into one body with overall responsibility for specifying and funding passenger railways services up to 20 miles beyond its area, which when founded include Bromsgrove and Redditch. The decade saw the introduction of Centro livery on new trains and all stations in the 'West Midlands County area' being 'Centroised'.
Ex-BR class 08 diesel mechanical shunter D3022 is stabled alongside the P.W. Depot at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway on 13th October 1990.
Also on the Severn Valley Railway is ex-LMSR No.8233 had charge of some of the 'Santa' specials that ran as far as Santa's Grotto at Arley. The locomotive was photographed at Kidderminster on 10th December 1990.
1991
Class 47 diesel locomotive No.47592 'County of Avon' is in BR livery with a large BR logo at the head of a rake of Inter City livery Mark 2 carriages as it ascends the Lickey Incline at Vigo on 25th May 1991.
Class 156 diesel multiple unit No.156402 is in its original Sprinter livery as it climbs the Lickey Hills at Vigo on 25th May 1991.
1992
There are no photographs in 1992.
1993
The official farewell to the first generation of diesel multiple units in the West Midlands was on Sunday 11th July 1993 when a class 117 unit carried a special nameboard.
On Sunday 11th July 1993. Class 117 unit No.117311 (No.51334 is in the photograph) is seen at Longbridge where staff have just affixed a 'DMU Farewell' headboard. The unit was comprised of Nos.51376, 59500 and 51334. Although many diesel multiple units were withdrawn or transferred during July 1993 a number remained in use for another year.
Pending the full fleet of class 323 units becoming available the line to Redditch saw a wide variety of traction pressed into service including this class 304 electric multiple unit No.304006 seen leaving Kings Norton on 30th July 1993. Click here for an observations list and more photographs taken on 30th July 1993.
Life expired former Network South East livery class 308 electric multiple units were also moved to the West Midlands as 'stop gap' traction. No.308158 was photographed at Longbridge on 28th August 1993.
1994
Newly delivered class 323 electric multiple unit No.323219 in Centro livery represents the new order of traction on the 'Cross City' Line' and was photographed at Longbridge on 2nd April 1994.
The use of 'first generation' diesel multiple units continued on a daily basis until the summer of 1994.
On Saturday 2nd April 1994, for instance, no less than three sets were in use:
'L708' 51336, 51378 & 51344 was on standby duty at Birmingham New Street.
51107, 50179 & 53124 were in use on the 'Cross City Line' including the 15:17 Longbridge to New Street.
51349, 51391 & 51386 were also in use on the 'Cross City Line' being noted at Kings Norton at service to Redditch.
On Saturday 11th June 1994 diesel multiple unit cars Nos.53921, 53132 & 51349 were noted at Birmingham New Street on a service to Redditch.
On Saturday 2nd July 1994 the 13:26 from Lichfield Trent Valley to Redditch and 14:05 return services were operated by Nos.51144, 53055 & 53116.
On Saturday 9th July 1994 Nos.51375, 51073 & 51333 were on standby duties at Birmingham New Street and departed to Barnt Green on a service extra at 15:55.
On 5th August 1994 three sets were in use on 'Cross City Line' services: Nos.53166, 53055 & 51144; Nos.51381, 51375 & 51340 and Nos.51073, 51333 & 51104.
On 6th August 1994 Nos.51340, 51375 & 51381 were noted on a Redditch service. This was the last recorded observation.
The first class 323 unit seen in use in the West Midlands was No.323215 on 2nd April 1994. As the availability of class 323s improved during the spring of 1994 the class 308s were gradually moved on to West Yorkshire or withdrawn.
A group of railway enthusiasts watches as former War Department 2-10-0 No.600 'Gordon' arrives at Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway on 30th May 1994.