West Midlands Archives - International Railway Journal

West Midlands

April 9, 2026 | Commuter Rail

New stations open in Britain’s West Midlands

Five new stations added to West Midlands Railway commuter network centred on Birmingham.

December 7, 2022 | Infrastructure

Lack of funds threatens Dudley and Brierley Hill light rail line

Report warns project could be delayed or scrapped but local authority vows to see it completed.

October 19, 2022 | Fleet

West Midlands Railway’s first Civity DMU enters service

Introduction of the CAF-built class 196 is two years late but will increase train capacity by 25%.

March 22, 2022 | Fleet

Midland Metro forced to suspend services for a third time

Full service had only just resumed following November’s fleet withdrawal.

May 13, 2021 | Passenger

Out of the franchise and into the fire? British train operators ready for reform

Covid-19 spelt the end of the British franchising system for passenger operations. Kevin Smith analyses the impact of the pandemic on the sector and asks what should come next.

February 9, 2020 | Light Rail

Birmingham Eastside light rail extension set for approval

WEST Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is this week expected to approve the Birmingham Eastside extension of the West Midlands Metro, which will provide a branch from the existing light rail line at Bull Street to High Street Deritend in Digbeth, via the proposed High-Speed 2 (HS2) Curzon Street Station.

January 13, 2020 | Fleet

New British fleets undergo testing in Velim

TWO manufacturers have begun testing new fleets bound for Britain on the two test circuits at the VUZ train test centre at Velim, in the Czech Republic.

October 7, 2019 | Fleet

CAF awarded Birmingham catenary-free LRV contract

WEST Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has awarded CAF a €90m contract to supply 21 Urbos catenary-free LRVs, with an option for 29 additional vehicles, for operation in Birmingham.

April 23, 2019 | Fleet

First class 230 D Train enters service for London Northwestern Railway

THE first class 230 D-Train purchased by West Midlands Trains (WMT) for London Northwestern Railway’s (LNR) service on the Marston Vale Line began passenger operations on April 23.

February 8, 2019 | Light Rail

First tram tracks laid for Westside Metro extension in Birmingham

THE first tram tracks have been laid in Birmingham for phase one of the West Midlands Metro Edgbaston extension from Grand Central to Centenary Square.

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