Last year went by train to the NEC, very good going there but on the way back had to wait over 1 hour for a bus at Crewe due to work on the lines. I believe the work isn't finished so I will give it a miss this year.
Last time I went by train, many years ago, there was a fault with the overhead power (don't get that with Great Western). We were sent in the opposite direction, did a tour of several stations north of Birmingham and arrived back at Birmingham International 2 hours later