To recap, Coventry Arena station was opened in January with the original plans including provision of ‘shuttle services’ for major events. So far the station has been closed for one hour before and one hour after events, to prevent possibly hundreds of passengers trying to board the single, car class 153 which is the usual weekday formation on an hourly service.

The cavalry, in the form of Riviera Trains, finally arrived on Sunday 28th February in time to provide an enhanced service for Wasps RFC match against Harlequins. London Midland were able to hire from Riviera a 6 x mark 2 carriage set, topped and tailed by two class 67 locos. This was easily slotted into the normal timetable providing three extra return services before the match from Coventry to Nuneaton calling at Coventry Arena only. Similar services were provided after the match. A London Midland spokesperson said the services were ‘well patronised’, but only form the first part of a trial, the second being for Wasps next home match, the local derby against Leicester Tigers on Saturday 12th March when evaluation will take place.

Two other interesting notes. Recently London Midland have started using twin class 153 units on the normal service, but at weekends only when passenger numbers on the line are usually fewer. Secondly, the advertising material for the ‘Rugby Specials’ quoted a return fare Coventry – Arena of £4.80. Log on to any train ticket site and you will get an off peak return for £2.40 !!

See previous article White NUCKLE Ride