View source for Cross-City Line

{{Short description|Railway line in the West Midlands, UK}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox rail line
|name        =  Cross-City Line
| box_width  = 
| color      = E07709
|logo        =
|logo_width  =
|image       = Class 730 020 at Longbridge Platform 1.jpg
|image_width = 300px
|caption     = [[West Midlands Railway]] {{brc|730}} arriving at {{stnlnk|Longbridge}} in 2024
|type        = [[Heavy rail]], [[Suburban rail]]
|system      = [[National Rail]]
|status      = Operational
|locale      = [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]
|start       = {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}}
|end         = {{rws|Redditch}}, {{rws|Bromsgrove}}
|stations    = 25
|routes      =
|daily_ridership =
|open        = 1978
|close       =
|owner       = [[Network Rail]] 
|operator    = [[West Midlands Trains|West Midlands Railway]]
|character   = 
|depot       = [[Soho TMD|Soho]] 
|stock       = {{brc|730}}<ref name=WMR730Intro>{{Cite web |date=15 April 2024|title=West Midlands Railway: New trains enter service on Birmingham's iconic Cross City Line  |url=https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/about-us/news-desk/west-midlands-railway-new-trains-enter-service-birminghams-iconic-cross-city |publisher=West Midlands Railway|access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref name=RedditchStandard>{{cite web |title=END OF THE LINE - West Midlands Railway reveals the last day for the class '323' trains on the Cross-City route |url=https://redditchstandard.co.uk/news/end-of-the-line-west-midlands-railway-reveals-the-last-day-for-the-class-323-trains-on-the-cross-city-route/ |publisher=Reddich Standard |access-date=6 October 2024}}</ref>
|linelength  = {{cvt|32|mi}}
|tracklength =
|tracks      = {{ubl|2 (Lichfield – Bromsgrove)|1 (Barnt Green – Redditch)}}
|gauge       = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}} 
|electrification = [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]] [[Overhead line|OHLE]]
|speed       = 
|elevation   =
| map        = [[File:Cross-City Line.png|300px]]
| map_state  = uncollapsed
}}
{{Birmingham Cross-City Line|collapse=y}}
The '''Cross-City Line''' is a [[commuter rail|suburban rail]] line in the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]] [[regions of England|region]] of [[England]]. It runs for {{cvt|32|mi}} from [[Redditch]] and [[Bromsgrove]] in [[Worcestershire]], its two southern termini, to [[Lichfield]], [[Staffordshire]], its northern terminus, via {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}, connecting the suburbs of [[Birmingham]] in between. Services are operated by [[West Midlands Trains|West Midlands Railway]].

Cross-City Line services began in 1978, as a project of the [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive]] (WMPTE) to improve local rail services. It made use of pre-existing railways lines, which previously did not have any through services. Services were extended to {{rws|Redditch}} in 1980, and to {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} in 1988. The route was [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrified]] in 1993. In 2018, services were extended to {{rws|Bromsgrove}}, which was added as a second southern terminus.

==History==
===Constituent railways===
What is now the Cross-City Line was not built as a single route; it is a combination of lines opened by different companies at different times between 1837 and 1885.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|}}

On the northern half of the route (Birmingham–Lichfield):

*The oldest section is between {{stnlnk|Duddeston}} (originally named Vauxhall) and {{stnlnk|Aston}}, which was part of the [[Grand Junction Railway]] from Birmingham to {{stnlnk|Earlestown}}, opened in 1837.<ref>{{cite book| last=Webster| first=Norman W.| title=Britain's First Trunk Line – the Grand Junction Railway| year=1972| location=Bath| isbn=0-239-00105-2| publisher= Adams & Dart}}</ref>{{page needed|date=August 2017}} This was extended towards the centre of Birmingham, at [[Birmingham Curzon Street railway station (1838-1966)|Curzon Street]], the following year, and into Birmingham New Street in 1854.<ref name=Jowett>{{Jowett-Centres1|pages=133–148}}</ref> 
*The line from Aston to {{stnlnk|Sutton Coldfield}} was opened by the [[London and North Western Railway]] in 1862,<ref name=Jowett /> and extended to {{stnlnk|Lichfield City}} in 1884, where it connected with the [[South Staffordshire line]] between {{stnlnk|Walsall}} and {{stnlnk|Lichfield Trent Valley}}, which had opened in 1849.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=65-67}}

On the southern half of the route (Birmingham–Redditch):

*The [[Birmingham and Gloucester Railway]] had opened in 1840, following what is now the Cross-City Line between {{rws|Bromsgrove}} and {{rws|Kings Norton}}, although this line ran to Curzon Street (later New Street) via what is now the [[Camp Hill line]].<ref name=Jowett />{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=14-17}} 
*The single-track branch line from Barnt Green to {{stnlnk|Redditch}} followed in 1859, as part of the [[Midland Railway]]'s [[Gloucester Loop Line]], which was closed south of Redditch in 1964.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=18-20}}
*The [[Birmingham West Suburban Railway]], taking the route of the Cross-City Line between {{stnlnk|Kings Norton}} and central Birmingham via {{rws|Bournville}}, opened to its original terminus at {{rws|Granville Street}} in 1876, it was extended into Birmingham New Street in 1885, and the Granville Street terminus closed.<ref name=Jowett />{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=21-25}}

These lines from Birmingham to Barnt Green and Redditch were operated by the [[Midland Railway]] and the line to Lichfield was operated by the [[London and North Western Railway]], so there were no through services. This continued despite the [[Railways Act 1921|Grouping of the LNW and Midland Railways]] to form the [[London Midland and Scottish Railway]] in 1921, and subsequent [[Transport Act 1947|nationalisation]] to form [[British Railways]].

Prior to the creation of the Cross-City Line, the northern half of the route from New Street to Sutton Coldfield and Lichfield had a well used regular suburban service, which had been switched from steam to [[diesel multiple unit]] (DMU) operation in 1956, leading to a large increase in usage.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|}} However, the southern half of the route from New Street to Redditch was a different matter: In 1964, the closure of all the stations between New Street and Redditch (along with the branch to Redditch) was proposed by the [[Beeching Axe]]. They were reprieved from closure in 1967; however, the service was cut back to a handful of trains at peak times for commuters.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|p=59}}

===1978: consolidated route===
In the early-1970s, the [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive]] (WMPTE) gained responsibility for managing and planning the local railway network in the West Midlands, and they set about looking for ways it could be improved: The WMPTE Passenger Transport Plan of 1972 recognised the need for a cross-city rail service, and especially an improved service to the south of Birmingham with new stations to serve the growth areas in the south of the city.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=86-88}}

The Cross City Line project was sanctioned by the WMPTE in May 1975 and launched on 8 May [[1978 in rail transport|1978]]. Costing £7.4 million ({{Inflation|UK|7400000|1975|r=-4|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} it involved joining the services into Birmingham from north and south into a single through service, along with the re-opening of [[Five Ways railway station|Five Ways station]] (the original had closed in 1944 as a wartime economy measure<ref name=Warr>{{cite web|title=Five Ways Station|url=http://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/fiveways.htm|publisher=Warwickshire Railways|access-date=19 April 2015}}</ref>) and new stations to serve the [[University of Birmingham]] and {{rws|Longbridge}} (the former station at Longbridge was on the branch line to Halesowen and Old Hill). Most of the other stations on the southern half of the route were rebuilt at the same time, and improvements were made to signalling and junctions. Of the new stations, the only one to be officially opened was [[University railway station (England)|University]], which the then Secretary of State for Transport [[Bill Rodgers, Baron Rodgers of Quarry Bank|Bill Rodgers]] MP formally opened on 8 May 1978. There is a plaque on platform 2 marking this occasion.<ref name="Redditch MRC"/>{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=86-88}}
[[File:Longbridge Station - geograph.org.uk - 1601412.jpg|thumb|[[Longbridge railway station]] in 1979, still unfinished having opened the previous year. At this time [[diesel multiple unit]]s operated the service.]]
Services initially ran on a 15-minute frequency between Longbridge and Four Oaks via Birmingham New Street, with an hourly extension to Lichfield City, using refurbished {{brc|116}} [[Diesel multiple unit]]s. The new service was an instant success, and by the end of the first year was carrying 30,000 passengers daily.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=89-90}}<ref name="Redditch MRC">{{cite web| title=The Cross City Rail Line| url=http://www.redditch-mrc.com/Redditch%20Railways%20-%20Cross%20City%20Line.htm| publisher=Redditch MRC| access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref>

===1980s developments===
Services were extended to {{rws|Redditch}} in 1980, initially on an hourly frequency, increased to half-hourly in 1989. The service to Lichfield City was increased to half hourly in 1986, and on 28 November 1988, some services were extended to terminate at the re-opened high level platforms of {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}}.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=89-90}}<ref name="Redditch MRC"/><ref name=southstaffsrail>{{cite web| title=The South Staffordshire Line| url=http://southstaffsrail.webs.com/lichtvhighleveljct.htm| publisher=southstaffsrail.co.uk| access-date=14 September 2013}}</ref>

===1990s: Electrification===
[[File:323202 arriving at Birminghams New Street station.jpg|thumb|[[London Midland]] {{brc|323}} arriving at {{stnlnk|Birmingham New Street}} in 2009]]
By the late-1980s, the elderly diesels operating the service were becoming increasingly unreliable, and the [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive|WMPTE]] (now reorganised as [[Transport for West Midlands]], formerly ''Centro'') pressed for [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrification]]. The decision to electrify the line was made on 7 February 1990 by the then Transport Minister [[Cecil Parkinson]] during the campaign for [[1990 Mid Staffordshire by-election|a by-election]] in the [[Mid Staffordshire]] constituency.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=92-104}}<ref name="Redditch MRC"/>

Work started on electrifying the route with the [[25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]] [[overhead line]] system in May 1990, and it was completed on 6 June 1993. Redditch, Alvechurch, and Blake Street stations were rebuilt at this time, and several other stations including Barnt Green were extensively modified to accommodate the new longer electric trains. The signalling was also modernised at the same time as the electrification, as part of a parallel scheme. A new fleet of {{brc|323}} [[Electric multiple unit]]s were introduced to work the electrified line, and replace the elderly diesels. Full service with the Class 323s did not begin until 1994, due to initial reliability problems with the new units. Some elderly {{brc|304}}, {{brc|308}} and {{brc|310}} EMUs were drafted in to operate services in the interim, along with some of the original diesel units.{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=92-104}}<ref name="Redditch MRC"/>

The cost of the electrification scheme was estimated at £64.5 million ({{Inflation|UK|64500000|1993|r=-4|fmt=eq|cursign=£}}),{{Inflation-fn|UK|df=y}} of which around 70% was funded by Centro, and the remainder by the [[Regional Railways]] sector of [[British Rail]].{{sfn|Boynton|1993|pp=92-104}}

===21st century developments===
[[File:Day 30 - West Midlands Police - View from Above 1 (8428681775).jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the new railway bridge (nearest to camera) and aqueduct over the diverted A38, taken in January 2013]]
At [[Selly Oak]], a new bridge was constructed in 2011 to carry the railway over a new section of the A38.

The single track between Barnt Green and Redditch restricted the number of trains that could run to Redditch to two per hour. In November 2013 a scheme was approved to construct a new [[passing loop]] at {{rws|Alvechurch}} to allow the service to be increased to three trains per hour.<ref>{{cite web| title=Major transport infrastructure schemes given green light| url=http://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1219233/major-transport-infrastructure-schemes-given-green-light| publisher=Planning Resource| access-date=22 November 2013}}{{subscription required|date=August 2017}}</ref><ref name="Investing Midlands">{{cite web| title=Investing in the Midlands, December 2011| url=http://content.yudu.com/A1utj2/RPDec11/resources/22.htm| publisher=Rail Professional Magazine| access-date=22 November 2013}}</ref> The line between Barnt Green and Redditch was closed for eight weeks for the works to be carried out, and was reopened on 1 September 2014. The improved service began in December 2014.<ref>{{cite web| first=Connie| last=Osborne| title=Commuters back on track with railway opening| url=https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/commuters-back-on-track-with-railway-opening-8974/| publisher=Bromsgrove Standard| access-date=19 February 2017| date=1 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title=London Midland reveals new timetable and additional seating across network| url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/london-midland-reveals-new-timetable-8271080| website=birminghammail.co.uk| publisher=Birmingham Mail| access-date=17 December 2014}}</ref>

Electrification was also extended from Barnt Green to [[Bromsgrove railway station|Bromsgrove station]], which was rebuilt in 2016 and was added as a second southern terminus once electrification was completed in August 2018.<ref>[http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/16386281.first-cross-city-line-trains-arrive-at-bromsgrove/ First Cross City line trains arrive at Bromsgrove] Collis, Emily ''Bromsgrove Advertiser'' news article 30 July 2018; Retrieved 3 August 2018</ref> These changes allowed three trains per hour to run to both Redditch and Bromsgrove.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/metro/2009/08/04-one-billion-investment.html| title=£1.2 billion boost for English rail and metro services| publisher=Railnews| date=4 August 2009| access-date=19 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="Investing Midlands"/><ref name=RE2017-1>{{cite web| url=https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/01/17/bromsgrove-corridor-resignalling/| title=Bromsgrove Corridor Resignalling| publisher=Rail Engineer| date=17 January 2017| access-date=14 February 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829203844/https://www.railengineer.uk/2017/01/17/bromsgrove-corridor-resignalling/| archive-date=29 August 2017| url-status=dead}}</ref>

Three of the ten new {{brc|350}} trains that London Midland introduced in 2014 displaced Class 323s on other routes in the West Midlands to enable an increase in capacity between Longbridge and Redditch, and the extension of all remaining Longbridge trains to Bromsgrove after electrification. Class 350s are not currently authorised to be used on the Cross City Line.<ref>{{cite web| title=Order for New "Desiro" Trains Signed by Transpennine Express| url=http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2012/order-for-new-desiro-trains/| publisher=rail.co.uk| access-date=15 July 2014| date=2 March 2012}}</ref>

Post-[[COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic]] the Cross-City Line weekday service has been reduced from 6 to 4 trains per hour in each direction usually operated by two sets of {{brc|730}}s, forming 6 cars. 6 trains per hour are expected to be reintroduced as part of Midlands Rail Hub.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.midlandsconnect.uk/media/1910/midlands-connect-mrh-report-accessibilitychecked.pdf|title=Midlands Rail Hub {{!}} Going for Growth {{!}} A summary of our Outline Business Case|publisher=Midlands Connect|date=9 December 2022}}</ref> The {{brc|323|s}} were finally withdrawn from the line after 30 years of service, on 27 September 2024. 
As part of the new [[West Midlands Trains]] franchise, they were replaced by {{brc|730}} [[Aventra]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Class 730 Fleet |website=West Midlands Railway|url=https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/whats-new/new-trains/class-730-fleet|access-date=23 June 2021 }}</ref><ref name=WMR730Intro/><ref name=RedditchStandard/>

==Current services==
In the December 2024 timetable,<ref name=WMRCrossCity>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/media/5262/download?inline |title=The Cross City Line: Lichfield Trent Valley – Four Oaks – Sutton Coldfield – Birmingham – University – Bromsgrove / Redditch {{!}} Timetable from Sunday 15 December 2024 until 17 May 2025 |website=West Midlands Railway}}</ref> the off-peak weekday and Saturday service on the core section of the line between {{rws|Four Oaks}} and {{rws|Longbridge}} comprises four [[West Midlands Trains|West Midlands Railway]] trains per hour in each direction. Two northbound trains per hour continue from Four Oaks to {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} while two southbound trains per hour continue from {{rws|Barnt Green}} to {{rws|Redditch}}, and the other two southbound trains per hour continue to {{rws|Bromsgrove}}.

The service consists of:
*2tph from {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} to {{rws|Bromsgrove}}
*2tph from {{rws|Four Oaks}} to {{rws|Redditch}}

Between {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} and {{rws|Barnt Green}}, the Cross-City Line is contiguous with the [[Cross Country Route]]. Some longer distance services stop at {{rws|University|England}}, including [[CrossCountry]] trains to {{rws|Cardiff Central||Cardiff}} and [[West Midlands Trains|West Midlands Railway]] trains to {{rws|Hereford}}.

Tracks are also shared with the [[Chase Line]] between {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} and {{rws|Aston}}.

==Future==
There are long-standing proposals for the re-introduction of local trains on the [[Camp Hill line]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=86595&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=9&MENU_ID=276 |title=Reinstatement of Camp Hill Rail Services Moves A Step Closer |publisher=[[Birmingham City Council]] |date=13 July 2007| access-date=4 February 2008| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111175232/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITEM_ID=86595&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=9&MENU_ID=276 |archive-date=11 January 2008| url-status=dead}}</ref> (effectively a loop between Birmingham New Street and Kings Norton).

In October 2018, as part of a 30-year strategy of Transport in the West Midlands several proposals were put forward. By 2034, there would be longer trains, electrification of the line from {{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} to {{rws|Burton-on-Trent}} allowing 2 services per hour to be extended to {{rws|Burton-on-Trent}} via a newly reopened {{rws|Alrewas}}. Beyond 2034, it was proposed that new semi-fast service could serve more larger stations.<ref>{{cite web|title=A New Era for West Midlands Rail Travel, A 30-year Rail Investment Strategy 2018-2047|url=http://wmre.org.uk/media/10731/west-midlands-rail-report_final_11082018.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033724/http://wmre.org.uk/media/10731/west-midlands-rail-report_final_11082018.pdf|archive-date=28 October 2018|access-date=19 November 2018|publisher=West Midlands Rail Executive|page=30}}</ref>

There is also a single tracked mothballed line to the former [[Anglesey Sidings]] which was in use until 2001. The line remains in situ but rusty beyond repair. There is a possibility that the line which connected to Walsall from Lichfield via [[Brownhills]] and [[Pelsall]] could reopen as Mayor of the West Midlands [[Andy Street]] promised to look and make the reopening of the line feasible. [[West Midlands Combined Authority]] also released a plan for the line as part of a 10-year transport plan called the 2026 Delivery for Transport.<ref>{{cite web|title=MOVEMENT FOR GROWTH: 2026 Delivery Plan for Transport Annex 1 - Corridors|url=https://www.tfwm.org.uk/media/2525/annex-1-corridors.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715003935/https://www.tfwm.org.uk/media/2525/annex-1-corridors.pdf|archive-date=15 July 2019|access-date=8 January 2019|website=tfwm.org.uk|page=27}}</ref>

==Passenger volume==
In 2021–22, the Cross-City Line's 24 stations (excluding New Street) had combined passenger numbers of 12.4 million,<ref>{{Citation ORR rail usage data}}</ref> The busiest station on the route besides Birmingham New Street is {{rws|University|England}}, with 3.05 million passenger entries and exits, and the least busy station is {{rws|Alvechurch}} with 151,042 passenger entries and exits in 2023/24.

{{GBsta-u|
{{GBsta-u B|Lichfield Trent Valley to Birmingham New Street}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Lichfield Trent Valley |u1=0.183 |u2=0.187 |u3=0.222|u4=0.231|u5=0.248|u6= 0.704|u7=0.743|u8=0.821|u9=0.899 |u10=0.912 |u11=0.969 |u12=0.982 |u13= 1.064 |u14=1.101 |u15=1.093 |u16=1.094 |u17=1.104 |u18=0.179 |u19=0.595 |u20=0.688 |u21=0.727}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Lichfield City|u1=0.529|u2=0.579 |u3=0.590 |u4=0.608 |u5=0.636 |u6=0.561 |u7=0.624|u8=0.607 |u9=0.621 |u10=0.638 |u11=0.643 |u12=0.685 |u13=0.680 |u14=0.712 |u15=0.798 |u16=0.862 |u17=0.828 |u18=0.197 |u19=0.488 |u20=0.633 |u21=0.751}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Shenstone|u1=0.089|u2=0.114|u3=0.126|u4=0.133|u5=0.151|u6=0.143|u7=0.203|u8=0.189|u9=0.160|u10=0.181 |u11=0.174|u12=0.179 |u13=0.177 |u14=0.191 |u15=0.200 |u16=0.175 |u17=0.179 |u18=0.062 |u19=0.092 |u20=0.130 |u21=0.142}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Blake Street|u1=0.154|u2=0.168|u3=0.172|u4=0.176|u5=0.184|u6=0.339|u7=0.332|u8=0.326|u9=0.313|u10= 0.307|u11=0.338|u12=0.344 |u13= 0.378 |u14= 0.380 |u15 = 0.382 |u16 = 0.435 |u17=0.427 |u18=0.066 |u19=0.199|u20=0.264 |u=0.307}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Butlers Lane|u2=0.092|u3=0.093|u4=0.096|u5=0.103|u6=0.197|u7=0.193|u8=0.186|u9=0.189|u10=0.186 |u11=0.202|u12=0.206 |u13= 0.222 |u14= 0.230 |u15 = 0.232 |u16 = 0.254 |u17=0.246 |u18=0.042 |u19= 0.116|u20=0.142}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Four Oaks|u2=0.225|u3=0.235|u4=0.251|u5=0.277|u6=0.538|u7=0.541 |u8=0.548|u9=0.581|u10=0.585 |u11=0.623 |u12=0.640 |u13= 0.701 |u14= 0.750 |u15 = 0.750 |u16 = 0.823 |u17=0.805 |u18=0.121 |u19=0.377|u20=0.498}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Sutton Coldfield|u2=0.512|u3=0.542|u4=0.578|u5=0.634|u6=1.183|u7=1.185|u8=1.185|u9=1.377|u10=1.368|u11=1.429|u12=1.475 |u13= 1.573 |u14= 1.609 |u15 = 1.624 |u16 = 1.776 |u17=1.720 |u18=0.313 |u19= 0.645|u20=0.805}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Wylde Green|u2=0.199 |u3=0.212 |u4=0.224 |u5=0.435 |u6=0.435 |u7= 0.441|u8=0.439 |u9=0.488 |u10=0.493 |u11=0.522 |u12=0.537 |u13= 0.586 |u14= 0.606 |u15 = 0.619 |u16 = 0.678 |u17=0.668 |u18=0.113 |u19=0.302|u20=0.389}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Chester Road|u2=0.245 |u3= 0.251|u4=0.267 |u5=0.296 |u6=0.537 |u7=0.564 |u8=0.598 |u9=0.748 |u10= 0.763 |u11= 0.799|u12= 0.816 |u13= 0.882 |u14= 0.909 |u15 = 0.925 |u16 = 1.048 |u17=1.050 |u18=0.152 |u19=0.390|u20=0.489}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Erdington|u2=0.267 |u3= 0.299|u4= 0.299|u5= 0.336|u6= 0.552|u7= 0.576|u8= 0.584|u9= 0.815|u10= 0.797|u11= 0.831|u12=0.826 |u13= 0.884 |u14= 0.923 |u15 = 0.930 |u16 = 1.052 |u17=1.030 |u18=0.160 |u19=0.329|u20=0.397}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Gravelly Hill|u2= 0.166|u3= 0.183|u4= 0.200|u5=0.231 |u6=0.404 |u7=0.403 |u8=0.402 |u9=0.636 |u10=0.631 |u11=0.684 |u12=0.684 |u13= 0.736 |u14= 0.769 |u15 = 0.772 |u16 = 0.908 |u17=0.912 |u18=0.138|u19=0.279|u20=0.357}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Aston|u2=0.162 |u3=0.163 |u4=0.168 |u5=0.206 |u6=0.341 |u7=0.345 |u8=0.336 |u9=0.445 |u10=0.438 |u11=0.484 |u12=0.484 |u13= 0.533 |u14= 0.525 |u15 = 0.554 |u16 = 0.658 |u17=0.683 |u18=0.129|u19=0.388|u20=0.555}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Duddeston|u2=0.050 |u3=0.052 |u4=0.056 |u5=0.060 |u6=0.135 |u7=0.138 |u8=0.141 |u9=0.180 |u10=0.182  |u11=0.190 |u12= 0.189 |u13= 0.218 |u14= 0.245 |u15 = 0.257 |u16 = 0.343 |u17=0.408 |u18=0.116|u19=0.242|u20=0.385}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Birmingham New Street|u2=16.244 |u3=17.303 |u4=14.525 |u5=17.007 |u6=25.192 |u7=25.268 |u8=24.687 |u9=31.213 |u10=32.090  |u11=34.748 |u12= 35.313 |u13= 39.077 |u14= 42.367 |u15 = 44.380 |u16 = 47.928 |u17=46.511 |u18=7.351|u19=22.683|u20=30.726}}
{{GBsta-u B|Birmingham New Street to Redditch and Bromsgrove}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Five Ways|u2=0.450 |u3=0.480 |u4=0.514 |u5=0.564 |u6=0.990 |u7=1.043 |u8=1.050 |u9=1.345 |u10=1.350 |u11=1.447 |u12=1.453 |u13= 1.586 |u14= 1.661 |u15 = 1.776 |u16 = 2.301 |u17=2.497 |u18=0.564|u19=1.171|u20=1.459}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=University|stndab=England|u1=0.785|u2=0.968 |u3=1.061 |u4=1.191 |u5=1.251 |u6=1.978 |u7=2.063 |u8=2.158 |u9=2.595 |u10=2.636 |u11=2.845 |u12=2.977 |u13= 3.206 |u14= 3.384 |u15 = 3.475 |u16 = 3.970 |u17=3.975 |u18=0.731|u19=1.961|u20=2.633 |u21=3.051}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Selly Oak|u2=0.800 |u3=0.897 |u4=1.024 |u5=1.113 |u6=1.578 |u7=1.598 |u8=1.569 |u9=2.270 |u10=2.278 |u11=2.407 |u12=2.433 |u13= 2.671 |u14= 2.805 |u15 = 2.848 |u16 = 3.296 |u17=3.274 |u18=0.631|u19=1.590|u20=1.995}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Bournville|u2=0.342 |u3=0.375 |u4=0.406 |u5=0.467 |u6=0.764 |u7=0.773 |u8=0.786 |u9=0.983 |u10=0.976 |u11=1.028 |u12=1.034 |u13= 1.106 |u14= 1.167 |u15 = 1.183 |u16 = 1.331 |u17=1.319 |u18=0.200 |u19=0.511|u20=0.702}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Kings Norton|u2=0.366 |u3=0.407 |u4=0.447 |u5=0.481 |u6=0.812 |u7=0.785 |u8=0.793 |u9=1.102 |u10=1.092 |u11=1.142 |u12=1.146 |u13= 1.237 |u14= 1.290 |u15 = 1.317 |u16 = 1.509 |u17=1.512 |u18=0.231|u19=0.537|u20=0.676}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Northfield|u2=0.272 |u3=0.296 |u4=0.306 |u5=0.333 |u6=0.587 |u7=0.565 |u8=0.589 |u9=0.743 |u10=0.739 |u11=0.775 |u12=0.777 |u13= 0.845 |u14= 0.863 |u15 = 0.873 |u16 = 0.989 |u17=0.981 |u18=0.173|u19=0.392|u20=0.489}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Longbridge|u2=0.292 |u3=0.316 |u4=0.343 |u5=0.373 |u6=0.628 |u7=0.625 |u8=0.638 |u9=0.751 |u10=0.743 |u11=0.797 |u12=0.832 |u13= 0.919 |u14= 0.963 |u15 = 0.974 |u16 = 1.093 |u17=1.029 |u18=0.239|u19=0.525|u20=0.686}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Barnt Green|u2=0.128 |u3=0.154 |u4=0.160 |u5=0.171 |u6=0.217 |u7=0.221 |u8=0.231 |u9=0.256 |u10=0.249 |u11=0.260 |u12=0.251 |u13= 0.270 |u14= 0.285 |u15 = 0.303 |u16 = 0.305 |u17=0.315 |u18=0.072|u19=0.193|u20=0.246}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Alvechurch|u1=0.068|u2=0.077 |u3=0.094 |u4=0.094 |u5=0.094 |u6=0.135 |u7=0.138 |u8=0.138 |u9=0.161 |u10=0.151 |u11=0.159 |u12=0.145 |u13= 0.167 |u14= 0.189 |u15 = 0.198 |u16 = 0.200 |u17=0.180 |u18=0.032|u19=0.091|u20=0.124|u21=0.151}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Redditch|u2=0.592 |u3=0.631 |u4=0.662 |u5=0.689 |u6=0.847 |u7=0.860 |u8=0.900 |u9=0.953 |u10=0.993 |u11=0.942 |u12=0.861 |u13= 1.002 |u14= 1.033 |u15 = 1.078 |u16 = 1.060 |u17=1.002 |u18=0.210|u19=0.581|u20=0.685}}
{{GBsta-u A|stn=Bromsgrove |u16 = 0.753 |u17=0.790 |u18=0.133|u19=0.415|u20=0.513}}
}}

==Route description==
[[File:Birmingham Cross-City Line.png|thumb|Diagram of route]]
The [[railway station]]s and [[cities]], [[town]]s and [[village]]s served by the line are listed below.
*{{rws|Lichfield Trent Valley}} – on the outskirts of [[Lichfield]], with connections to [[London Northwestern Railway]] services along the [[Trent Valley line]] between [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and {{rws|Crewe}}
*[[Lichfield City railway station]] – in central [[Lichfield]]
*[[Shenstone railway station]] in [[Shenstone, Staffordshire]]
*[[Blake Street railway station]] in [[Hill Hook|Hill Hook, Sutton Coldfield]]
*[[Butlers Lane railway station]] in [[Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield|Four Oaks]]
*[[Four Oaks railway station]] in [[Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield]]
*[[Sutton Coldfield railway station]] in [[Sutton Coldfield]]
*[[Wylde Green railway station]] serving [[Wylde Green]] and [[Boldmere]]
*[[Chester Road railway station]] [[Pype Hayes]], [[Erdington]] and [[Wylde Green]]
*[[Erdington railway station]] in [[Erdington]]
*[[Gravelly Hill railway station]] in [[Gravelly Hill]]
*[[Aston railway station]] in [[Aston]] – the [[Chase Line|Walsall Line]] diverges here
*[[Duddeston railway station]] in [[Duddeston]]
*[[Birmingham New Street railway station]] in [[Birmingham City Centre]]
*[[Five Ways railway station]]  in [[Five Ways, Birmingham]]
*[[University railway station (England)|University railway station]] serving the [[University of Birmingham]] and [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham|Queen Elizabeth Hospital]]
*[[Selly Oak railway station]] in [[Selly Oak]]
*[[Bournville railway station]] in [[Bournville]]
*[[Kings Norton railway station]] in [[Kings Norton]] and [[Cotteridge]]
*[[Northfield railway station]] in [[Northfield, Birmingham]]
*[[Longbridge railway station]] in [[Longbridge]]
*[[Barnt Green railway station]]  in [[Barnt Green]] – branches off the main line to [[Cheltenham]] here.
*[[Alvechurch railway station]]  in [[Alvechurch]]
*[[Redditch railway station]] in [[Redditch]]
*[[Bromsgrove railway station]] in [[Bromsgrove]]
A large stretch of the northern part of the line closely follows the [[A5127 road]].

==Media==

*In 1990, Railscene produced a driver's eye view of the then-diesel line, featuring the elderly rolling stock still in operation. Many features of the line have since been changed, for example, the rebuilding of Alvechurch and Redditch stations, the abolition of Lichfield City's goods sidings and closure of the Brownhills Line and the removal of the fourth platform of Lichfield Trent Valley.
*There was a highly publicised opening ceremony to celebrate the [[Railway electrification in Great Britain|electrification]] and service enhancement at Redditch in 1993.
*In 1995, Video 125 released a video of a driver's eye view of the recently electrified line, narrated by Kay Alexander. On the video near Lichfield an elderly [[British Rail Class 304|Class 304]] unit is used on the opposite direction service – this was due to not all 323 units being in traffic in time for the new services starting.
*A full replica of the Cross-City line was released for the [[Train Simulator Classic (video game)|Train Simulator]] franchise in March 2021 and on [[Train Sim World 3]] in November 2022 by Dovetail Games, both featuring the [[Class 323]].<ref>{{cite web|title= Birmingham Cross-City - Out Now|url= https://live.dovetailgames.com/live/train-sim-world/articles/article/birmingham-cross-city-out-now|website=Dovetail Games|access-date=14 November 2025}}</ref>
*There is a highly detailed reproduction of the part between Redditch and Birmingham New Street for the free train simulators [[BVE Trainsim|BVE]] and OpenBVE.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.railsimroutes.net/x-city_south/downloads.html| website=Rail Sim Routes| title=Birmingham Cross-City South for openBVE| access-date=17 February 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217173441/http://railsimroutes.net/x-city_south/downloads.html| archive-date=17 February 2009| url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==

*[[Transport in Birmingham]]
*[[Camp Hill line]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book
  | last = Boynton
  | first = John
  | year = 1993
  | title = Rails Across The City, The Story of The Birmingham Cross City Line
  | publisher = Mid England Books
  | location = Kidderminster
  | isbn = 0-9522248-0-1
  }}

{{commons category}}

{{Railway lines in the West Midlands}}
{{Transport in Worcestershire}}

[[Category:Railway lines in the West Midlands (region)]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Worcestershire]]
[[Category:Railway lines opened in 1978]]