From September 1, commuters heading to Birmingham by train will have the option to start their journeys aboard vintage steam and diesel engines as part of a unique trial. The Severn Valley Railway (SVR), in partnership with the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and West Midlands Railway, is testing the feasibility of extending regular passenger rail services from Birmingham to Bewdley.
Trial details and route
The trial will see heritage trains operate over the three-and-a-half-mile section of the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bewdley, connecting with West Midlands Railway services to and from Birmingham. Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster to complete their journey. This arrangement is believed to be one of the first of its kind in the UK, with main line rail ticket holders travelling over part of their journey on a heritage railway, hauled by heritage locomotives and operated by heritage railway staff.
The weekday commuter service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout the trial, with two morning departures from Bewdley at 6.40am and 7.40am. After connecting at Kidderminster, passengers will arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill at 7.46am and 8.46am respectively, with a total journey time of just over an hour. Evening return services will leave Birmingham Snow Hill at 4.46pm and 5.46pm, arriving back in Bewdley at 5.57pm and 7.02pm following a change at Kidderminster.
Support and quotes from officials
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive, said: “I’m committed to building a transport system that’s affordable, reliable and better connected. That’s why I’m investing £2.4 billion into more tram routes, new railway stations and bringing the bus network back under public control. But this pilot shows how we can improve our network by being more innovative with the infrastructure we already have. And what better way to start or end your daily commute than onboard a heritage Severn Valley Railway locomotive.”
Denise Wetton, integrated managing director, GBR West Midlands said: “I’m delighted West Midlands Railway is supporting this trial, which is a great example of collaboration and innovative thinking across the rail industry to benefit customers. Improving connectivity across the region is hugely important in supporting the economy, and by better utilising our existing rail infrastructure we can offer an attractive alternative to the car and encourage more people to travel by train.”
Sharon Harvey, Mayor of Bewdley, said: "Bewdley Town Council warmly welcomes this exciting trial, which responds directly to the strong local demand for better public transport links. It has the potential to improve access to employment, education and leisure opportunities, while bringing more visitors into the town to support local businesses. We encourage everyone to use the service during the trial and help demonstrate the case for a permanent rail connection."
Gus Dunster, the SVR's chief executive officer, said: "This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the Severn Valley Railway. Not only does it allow us to support an important regional transport initiative, it also sees our railway fulfilling the purpose it was originally built for by carrying everyday passengers between Bewdley and Kidderminster. It is a highly unusual arrangement that will see main line rail passengers completing part of their journey on a heritage railway using their normal rail tickets. We're delighted to be providing the trains and crews for the heritage section of the journey, using our Diesel Multiple Unit for many of the services and, where it fits with our existing operations, steam-hauled return trains on Wednesdays and Thursdays. We're proud to be working alongside our partners on this innovative trial and look forward to welcoming commuters and leisure travellers alike on board the Severn Valley Railway."
Future prospects
The trial forms part of a longer-term project to assess the potential for introducing regular passenger rail services between Bewdley and the West Midlands rail network. If demand is demonstrated, it could pave the way for selected services that currently end at Kidderminster to be extended to Bewdley in future. Further details, including timetables and ticketing arrangements, will be announced in due course.
