News archive

11 January 2024 16:00

Rail industry announces positive findings of long-term University of Cambridge research project into staff safety and body-worn cameras

Rail industry and the University of Cambridge announce findings of multi-year research project around body-worn cameras for rail staff Research shows that staff wearing cameras decreases assault rate by nearly 50 per cent and has “a substantial impact on court outcomes” Body-worn cameras have a powerful impact in stopping assaults from happening, by acting as a visible deterrent Rail industry pla

5 January 2024 11:30

Major Christmas upgrades completed at Lichfield Trent Valley

Major improvements have been carried out at Lichfield Trent Valley station over Christmas to improve future rail journeys for passengers on the Cross City line.
The West Coast main line reopened on Wednesday 27 December after a new platform bridge was installed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day during the annual festive shutdown of the railway.
Engineers worked round-the-clock using a 650-tonn

21 December 2023 16:00

West Midlands Railway urges passengers to travel early for Christmas

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is urging passengers making journeys this Christmas to travel early to avoid being caught up in Christmas Eve travel disruption.
With reduced timetables in operation across the rail network, infrastructure damage caused by Storm Pia and sickness bugs impacting train crew availability, passengers are being urged to travel on Friday or Saturday where possible, rather t

18 December 2023 13:15

West Midlands Railway: Passengers advised to check journeys ahead of Christmas period

Passengers travelling with West Midlands Railway (WMR) are being reminded to check their journeys before they travel over the festive period.
Due to Christmas markets and engineering works, services are expected to be busy and disruption is expected on some dates before the end of the year.
Service changes include:
An amended timetable will be in operation between Christmas Eve and

27 November 2023 12:45

Hundreds of West Midlands Railway passengers make White Ribbon Promise at Birmingham Snow Hill

Hundreds of rail passengers pledged to help end violence against women and girls during a special event at Birmingham Snow Hill station to mark White Ribbon Day on Saturday (25 November).
West Midlands Railway staff encouraged passengers to make the “White Ribbon Promise” by signing their name on a piece of ribbon on the station concourse and wearing a special pin badge.
The White Ribbon cam

22 November 2023 11:00

West Midlands Railway: Passengers reminded of upcoming December timetable change

Passengers travelling with West Midlands Railway (WMR) are being reminded to check their journeys ahead of changes to the national railway timetable in December.
Planners have been updated ahead of the change, which comes into effect on Sunday 10 December.
Changes on the WMR network include:
An increase to the number of trains running between Birmingham and Liverpool, with two trains per

21 November 2023 10:00

Episode Two of West Midlands Railway’s podcast features Pete Waterman and Francis Bourgeois

Music legend Pete Waterman and railway social media star Francis Bourgeois are among the guests on the second episode of West Midlands Railway’s “On The Rails” podcast, out today (Tue 21 Nov).
In the second episode, pop empresario Pete explains his passion for the railway and how he wrote some of the UK’s most popular pop hits whilst travelling on the train. Social media sensation Francis also

17 November 2023 09:30

Community projects given go-ahead thanks to funding from West Midlands Railway

Community rail projects have been given the go-ahead thanks to funding from West Midlands Railway (WMR).
Grants of up to £10,000 were made available through the latest round of WMR’s “Your Community, Your Fund” scheme, funded by the Department for Transport. The scheme is aimed at inspiring people to get involved with the railway and supporting established groups with projects which benefit bot

3 November 2023 11:34

New Street’s new way to help passengers during Christmas markets

More support teams to help keep rail passengers and revellers safe at Birmingham New Street station are being introduced during this year’s Frankfurt Christmas markets.
Since the summer, St John’s Ambulance volunteers and a dedicated anti-social behaviour team have been based in the station during busy weekend nights on a trial basis.
It's helped tackle anti-social behaviour, such as drunken

1 November 2023 14:48

The UK's most obsessed mini train enthusiasts become conductors for the day

Today (Wednesday 1 November), West Midlands Railway (WMR) hosted its greatly-anticipated event, giving mini train enthusiasts across the UK a once in a lifetime experience as part of its Little Train Conductor competition.
11 lucky winners, aged between four and ten, lived out their wildest dreams this half-term as they boarded at Birmingham New Street station and experienced first-hand what i

17 October 2023 09:56

Rail industry creates immersive VR film to show passengers at Birmingham New Street how they can help to combat sexual harassment

Immersive VR experience, designed to empower bystanders to recognise and help combat sexual harassment on the railway, on show today at Birmingham New Street station. Demonstrating how a small action could make a big difference is important - 85% of women would feel relieved if someone intervened when experiencing sexual harassment on public transport.  This is the latest in a series of nationw

16 August 2023 10:00

West Midlands Railway launches community projects fund

Communities from across the West Midlands Railway (WMR) network are being invited to put forward innovative ideas to help transform their areas.
Grants of up to £10,000 are being made available through the latest round of WMR’s “Your Community, Your Fund” scheme, funded by the Department for Transport. The scheme is aimed at inspiring people to get involved with the railway and supporting estab