So, commuting from the Lyndhurst Estate Erdington was costly and time consuming with few pluses, perhaps only one: My name's Peg and I'm a Train Spotter at least I was, I'm cured now.
I caught the bug from classmates when I was in the second year (1961) and occasionally I took a different route home, instead of catching the Inner Circle 8 by Farm St School to Aston Cross (to get the 64) I walked to the top of Hockley Hill and caught a bus to the top of Snow Hill, I then walked to Snow Hill Station.
Unlike New St Station Snow Hill welcomed Train Spotters as long as you purchased a platform ticket (3d). I would settle down on my favourite bench and spot.
The age of steam was now passing rapidly, but there was the odd steam loco to be seen, usually a Castle, a Hall or a Manor.
If I was lucky I had a sandwich or two left and a few pence to buy a cup of tea from the refreshment bar otherwise I had to starve until I got home usually about 7.45pm, I stayed at the station until 7.00 to see the Glasgow bound Pullman, although this was pulled by a diesel at least it was named - a Western Class diesel such as Western Enterprise, Western Yeoman or the like.
In between train arrivals I tried to do some homework but I wasn't very productive.
Come 7.00pm I would pack up my things and head for the 64 Bus Stop in Steelhouse Lane.
Peg.