News archive

18 February 2025 13:30

Thousands of children in Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire challenged to travel by train to celebrate Railway 200

A major drive to encourage thousands of students across Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire to visit 200 different railway stations across the country has launched today (Tuesday 18 February).
The project, named Visit 200, is being run in partnership by West Midlands Railway and West Coventry Academy. It offers schools and colleges the chance to arrange special journeys for groups of students t

14 February 2025 10:30

West Midlands Railway: Young rail professionals showcase their skills to mark National Apprenticeship Week

Apprentices at the West Midlands’ primary rail operator have shared their experiences of working in the rail industry to mark National Apprenticeship Week (February 10-14).
West Midlands Railway (WMR) carries millions of passengers across the region every year and employs more than 100 apprentices across its depots, offices and on its trains.
Officials from the worlds of skills, local govern

7 February 2025 09:04

Full service resumes between Tamworth and Nuneaton following repairs to overhead line equipment

A normal timetable has been restored on the West Coast Main Line between Tamworth and Nuneaton after successfully installing a prop to an overhead line structure.
Engineers have completed work to temporarily restore the railway near Polesworth after damage to an overhead line structure was discovered during a routine track inspection on 6 December.
During the repairs, engineers installed a t

31 January 2025 11:11

Barnt Green station access improvements nearing lift-off

Preparation for work to provide step-free access to trains at Barnt Green station will get underway next week.
Network Rail will start on-site preparations from Monday (3 February) which will be a catalyst for major work to start in spring to build lifts on to the existing footbridge which links all four platforms.
The £7.5m investment, which is expected to be completed in autumn this year,

28 January 2025 13:59

Huge Champions League match means busier trains to Villa Park

Aston Villa’s match against Scottish champions Celtic will bring thousands of fans into Birmingham, meaning trains and stations will be busier than normal on Wednesday (29 January).
Trains to and from Aston and Witton stations on Wednesday afternoon onwards are expected to be packed with fans, especially in the build up to the game and immediately afterwards.
The fixture is expected to make

27 January 2025 10:00

West Midlands Railway: Three million passengers use University Station in its first year

More than three million passengers have passed through Birmingham’s new-look University Station in the first year since its multi-million pound redevelopment, West Midlands Railway has confirmed today.
The busy station, which serves the University of Birmingham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, opened its spacious new buildings to passengers on 28 January 2024.
Since then, more than 50,000 train

24 January 2025 16:58

Six days of journey changes between Worcester and Hereford

Passengers between Worcester and Hereford are being urged to plan their journeys and check before they travel ahead of six days of disruption which starts this Sunday (26 January).
West Midlands Railway and Great Western Railway (GWR) services will be affected because of important track upgrade work which takes place between Sunday 26 January and Friday 31 January inclusive.
Network Rail eng

24 January 2025 13:30

West Midlands Railway unveils major £5m investment in Coventry maintenance facility for new electric train fleet

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is celebrating the completion of a major £5million upgrade at a key depot in Coventry where the region’s newest fleet is maintained.
The works at Coventry North Yard, near the city’s railway station, mean WMR’s Class 730 electric fleet can be maintained and stabled more effectively. The fleet entered service in the West Midlands last year and has already carried mil

21 January 2025 16:19

A great day out with National Trust tea and train offer

The railway, canals and historic houses of Warwickshire have joined forces to reward green travel with a free cup of tea.
Network Rail’s Central route has teamed up with the National Trust, Chiltern Railways, West Midlands Railway and waterways charity Canal & River Trust to offer visitors that travel by train from Birmingham Moor Street to Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House a free regula

20 January 2025 12:30

Fourteen London Northwestern Railway stations will receive tap-in tap-out travel upgrade

Fourteen stations operated by London Northwestern Railway will receive upgraded Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless technology from Sunday 2 February, it has been confirmed today.

The technology comes as part of a £20 million government investment to modernise the network, offering simpler and more flexible payment options across the South East at 47 more stations for the first time.

15 January 2025 14:42

Changes to journeys between Oxfordshire and Birmingham this weekend

Passengers travelling between Oxfordshire and Birmingham are being warned of changes to services this Sunday (19 January).
Due to planned maintenance and improvement work, the railway will be closed on Sunday 19 January between Bicester North/Banbury and Birmingham Moor Street and between Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon.
Network Rail’s teams will be working to improve drainage, cut ba

8 January 2025 11:09

Drivers urged to ‘wise up, size up’ after bridge bashed twice in one day

Lorry drivers are being urged to know the height of their vehicle after a Birmingham bridge was hit three times in less than a week.
The railway bridge on Summer Lane, Erdington, was hit just before 10am today (7 January). After being inspected and given the green light to safely reopen, it was then bashed for a second time at 12.10pm, reopening again at 1.45pm.
The first lorry did not stop