Skip to content

News archive

  • Track upgrades and CrossCountry strikes this August bank holiday

    Journeys through Birmingham will be severely impacted this Bank Holiday due to essential track work and industrial action by CrossCountry.
    Network Rail's long-planned work to invest £600,000 upgrading 450 metres of tightly curved track which connects the Camp Hill line with the main line between Birmingham and Coventry will take place on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August.
    It will see changes to

  • Train mad schoolboy becomes conductor for the day

    A 12-year-old railway enthusiast was given a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes with London Northwestern Railway to celebrate his birthday.
    Charlie Berwick, from Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, tested his skills as a conductor for the day on the route between Tring, Watford Junction and London Euston.
    Getting to experience first-hand the day to day of a real conductor, Charlie had the c

  • Safety staff patrolling West Midlands stations to help keep passengers moving

    Station safety teams are being used in the West Midlands to help resolve issues before they can delay passengers' journeys.
    The teams - being used at 30 stations between Wolverhampton and Coventry, between Lichfield and Bromsgrove, and at some stations between Solihull and Langley Green - are being used on platforms and trains to provide help and support to passengers and keep trains on time.

  • West Midlands Railway names Stourbridge Shuttle after famous feline for International Cat Day

    West Midlands Railway (WMR) has today (8 August) named one of its Stourbridge Shuttle trains “George the Station Cat” to celebrate International Cat Day.
    Alongside the name plate, the plaque features a portrait of the well-loved ginger tom cat who resides at Stourbridge Junction station.
    The Shuttle – also known as the Town Car - was formally named during a paws-itively purr-fect ceremony at

  • London Northwestern Railway reveals how families can save £200 at London attractions this August

    Today (6 August 2025) London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has revealed London’s five most popular attractions amongst savvy train passengers who snagged savings last summer, giving families the chance to save £200.
    National Rail’s Days Out Guide offers 2 for 1 deals and 1/3 off in savings for attractions on behalf of train operators across London and nationwide, with the only caveat being that vi

  • Railway expert reveals six money-saving tips for families this summer

    The latest travel insights show that on average, families in England spent £217 per person per trip last year. *
    With rising costs remaining a key concern for families, keeping the kids entertained this August shouldn’t have to break the bank.
    In a bid to show families how they can spend less and do more this summer, West Midlands Railway has revealed their six top tips to save money when tr

    Woman with two young kids boarding a West Midlands Railway train
  • Passengers thanked as Lichfield to Birmingham line reopens

    The Cross City north line between Lichfield and Birmingham has fully reopened after a seven day closure for maintenance and improvement work.
    Network Rail teams worked round-the-clock to carry out earthwork repairs, complete track maintenance and improvements, and cut back vegetation, all of which will help make the railway and journeys through the area safer and more reliable.
    Birmingham Ci

  • West Midlands Railway statement on public ownership

    Today (Monday 28 July 2025) the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that West Midlands Trains – operator of services under the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway brands - is set to transfer to public ownership on 1 February 2026. This announcement is part of the DfT’s ongoing Public Ownership Programme.
    We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to public owner

  • London Northwestern Railway statement on public ownership

    Today (Monday 28 July 2025) the Department for Transport (DfT) has confirmed that West Midlands Trains – operator of services under the West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway brands - is set to transfer to public ownership on 1 February 2026. This announcement is part of the DfT’s ongoing Public Ownership Programme.
    We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition to public owner

  • West Midlands Railway hosts UK’s first chess tournament on a train

    West Midlands Railway (WMR) has today (18 July) hosted the UK’s first chess tournament on board a moving train ahead of International Chess Day, which takes place this weekend.
    Passengers boarding the 10:36 service from Birmingham New Street to Lichfield Trent Valley were greeted by the contest held on one of WMR’s Class 730 electric trains.
    Eight chess players went head-to-head in three ro

    Four men posing in front of a West Midlands Railway train with chess pieces and a chess board
  • Passengers urged to plan for seven-day Cross City line closure from July 28 - August 3

    Passengers using the northern section of the Cross City Line between Birmingham and Lichfield are being reminded no trains will run for seven days later this month.
    There will be no services between Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley from Monday 28 July until Sunday 3 August inclusive, with the line reopening as normal on Monday 4 August.
    To help keep passengers moving during t

  • Essential safety upgrades for Longport footbridge this summer

    Network Rail will begin a major £1.4 million upgrade of the footbridge at Longport station this summer to improve safety for passengers and pedestrians and enhance the long-term resilience of the structure for years to come.
    From 26 July to 14 September, engineers will carry out essential repairs to the bridge, which crosses two electrified tracks at Station Street, Stoke-on-Trent.
    While thi

Show more