A new trial train service that will enable passengers from Bewdley to connect onto services to and from Birmingham or Worcester has been announced.
The new ‘unique’ trial service involving Severn Valley Railway steam and diesel trains will run for eight weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from Tuesday, September 1 and will see trains run between Kidderminster and Bewdley, connecting with West Midlands Railway services to and from Birmingham.
Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster to complete their journey.
The weekday commuter service will operate 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.
The 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.
This comes after the West Midlands Rail Executive confirmed in May that a new rail link involving Bewdley was being ‘actively explored’ with its rail partners, including West Midlands Railway and Severn Valley Railway.
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.”
Gus Dunster, Severn Valley Railway’s chief executive officer, added: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the Severn Valley Railway.
“Not only does it allow us to support an important regional transport initiative, but 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.”
