Categories: wmr

  • Birmingham’s Cross City Line electric train fleet carried more than 12 million passengers in its first year

    A West Midlands Railway (WMR) train fleet has carried more than 12 million passengers since completing its rollout on a popular Birmingham route one year ago today.
    Passengers on the Cross City Line, which connects Lichfield to Bromsgrove and Redditch via Birmingham, first boarded the new Class 730/0 electric train fleet in March 2024, with the full rollout officially completed on 26 September

  • National award for West Midlands Railway's new Cross City Line train fleet

    A new West Midlands Railway (WMR) train fleet which has transformed millions of journeys on Birmingham's Cross City Line has picked up a prestigious national award.
    The Class 730/0 fleet of electric trains was introduced onto the route, which runs between Lichfield, Birmingham and Redditch/Bromsgrove, last year to replace an outgoing 30-year-old train fleet.
    The new trains - part of WMR's £1

  • Train operator reveals top advice for women looking for railway careers


    Railway staff members have spoken about their advice to women applying for roles in the industry on the latest edition of West Midlands Railway’s (WMR) “On the Rails” podcast.

    The podcast has been released in time for National Inclusion Week, which runs from 15 – 21 September and inspires companies to take action to create inclusive workforces.

    The rail industry is tradi

  • England World Cup qualifier means busier trains to Villa Park

    Villa Park will host England v Andorra this weekend meaning busier trains and stations on Saturday (6 September).
    The World Cup qualifier, which kicks-off at 5pm, will bring thousands of football fans into Birmingham. Trains and stations serving Villa Park are expected to be packed with fans from Saturday afternoon onwards, especially in the build up to the game and immediately afterwards.
    F

  • First Canine Station Adopter Brings Joy to Passengers at Kenilworth

    West Midlands Railway (WMR) is celebrating International Dog Day by officially announcing its first canine station adopter, a 6-year-old border terrier called Bertie.
    ‘Kennel-worth’ Station has been adopted by a group of 10 local volunteers, including pet owner John Boothroyd, who brings Bertie with him to the station to help with his duties.
    The community engagement team at WMR organised

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • West Midlands Railway names train “Jess Carter” after local Lioness ahead of Euro 2025

    West Midlands Railway (WMR) has today (Tue 1 Jul) named one of its newest trains in honour of England footballer Jess Carter as the Lionesses prepare to defend their Euros title.
    Experienced defender Jess, age 27, grew up in Warwickshire and pupils from her former secondary school were among the guests at a special ceremony in her honour at Leamington Spa railway station this morning.
    Jess h

  • West Midlands Railway boosts rail safety awareness for thousands of passengers

    West Midlands Railway (WMR) has raised awareness of how to stay safe on the railway among thousands of passengers this Rail Safety Week (16 – 22 June).
    The rail operator hosted pop-up sessions at Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton station this week, where experts spoke about safeguarding, mental health and how to prevent accidents on the railway. British Transport Police (BTP) appeared alon

    Members of BTP, WMR and Rethink Mental Illness stand in Wolverhampton station, behind a table of safety-related items

  • West Midlands Railway celebrates success of Wolverhampton Mental Health Hub


    Dozens of vulnerable people have accessed mental health support from a new facility at Wolverhampton Station in its first month of opening, West Midlands Railway has confirmed today (17 June).

    Offering one-to-one support, information and signposting to anyone who needs it, ‘The Hub’ is run by WMR in partnership with local charities and organisations including Rethink Mental Illness

    Members of Rethink, West Midlands Railway and the British Transport Police stand outside 'The Hub' at Wolverhampton station

  • West Midlands Railway: Learning disability charity adopts local Birmingham station


    A busy Birmingham railway station is set for a new lease of life thanks to a partnership between West Midlands Railway (WMR) and learning disability charity Mencap, which campaign for the rights of the 1.5 million people across the UK with a learning disability.

    Mencap is adopting Selly Oak station through its ‘training academy’ programme, which delivers supported internships to p

  • Passengers asked to allow extra time when using Worcester Foregate Street due to subway closure

    West Midlands Railway is urging passengers using Worcester Foregate Street to leave extra time when changing platforms when the station's subway is closed for four weeks in June.
    Technicians from Network Rail are carrying out maintenance work will carry out maintenance work on the subway, starting on Monday 2 June. The underpass connecting the two platforms at the station will be closed for fou

  • White Ribbon artworks unveiled at West Midlands railway stations


    Thought provoking artworks have been installed at five railway stations in the West Midlands, promoting action against violence towards women and girls.

    The artworks have been fitted at stations operated by West Midlands Railway (WMR) and sister brand London Northwestern Railway (LNR). They were created by local illustrator and mural artist Emily Kaye and commissioned by Heart of E

  • West Midlands Railway and Transport for Wales unveil major investment into Shrewsbury maintenance facility


    West Midlands Railway (WMR) and Transport for Wales (TfW) are celebrating the completion of a major £3million upgrade at a key depot in Shrewsbury.

    The investment into the depot’s infrastructure comes as part of an initiative to improve the service on the Shrewsbury line. It follows WMR’s new fleet of Class 196s entering service on the line between Shrewsbury and Birmingham in 2022

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