Cross-City Line facts for kids

The Cross-City Line is a busy railway line in the West Midlands area of England. It helps people travel between different suburbs and towns. The line stretches from Redditch in the south to Lichfield in the north. It also goes right through the heart of Birmingham New Street, which is a very important train station.

What is the Cross-City Line?

The Cross-City Line is like a major transport highway for trains. It connects many towns and cities, making it easier for people to go to school, work, or visit friends and family. The trains on this line are currently run by a company called London Midland.

Where Does the Line Go?

The Cross-City Line is quite long!

• It starts in the south at a town called Redditch in Worcestershire. This is the very end of the line in that direction.
• Then it travels north, passing through many places, including the big city of Birmingham.
• Finally, it reaches its northern end at Lichfield in Staffordshire.

This means you can travel a long way across the West Midlands region just by staying on this one train line!

Why is it Important?

The Cross-City Line is super important for many reasons:

• Connecting Communities: It links many towns and cities, helping people travel for work, school, and leisure.
• Reducing Traffic: By offering a good train service, it helps reduce the number of cars on the roads, which is good for the environment.
• Easy Travel: It makes it simple to get to Birmingham New Street, which is a hub for trains going all over the country.

History of the Cross-City Line

The Cross-City Line as we know it today was officially opened in 1978. However, parts of the railway tracks it uses are much older! Over the years, different sections of the line were built and connected to create the continuous route we see now.

How Was it Created?

Before 1978, there were separate railway lines that didn't connect directly. To create the Cross-City Line, engineers and railway workers had to:

• Link Existing Lines: They joined up different railway tracks that were already there.
• Build New Sections: In some places, new tracks were laid to fill in gaps.
• Upgrade Stations: Many stations along the route were improved to handle more passengers and trains.

This big project helped create a modern and efficient way for people to travel across the West Midlands.

Images for kids

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  An amazing view from above showing a new railway bridge and an aqueduct (a bridge for water) over a road. This picture was taken in January 2013.