Trial to see rail users commute on heritage trains

An eight-week trial will test whether heritage steam and diesel trains could be used to extend regular passenger rail services.

Starting on 1 September, it will see Severn Valley Rail (SVR) locomotives operating over a three-and-a-half mile section between Kidderminster and Bewdley, connecting with West Midlands Railway services to and from Birmingham.

SVR added improved rail connectivity had the potential to reduce road congestion and improve access to Bewdley.

SVR's chief executive Gus Dunster said: "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."

The service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with two departures in the mornings at 06:40 and 07:40.

Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster and continue from there.

After connecting at Kidderminster, passengers will arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill at 07:46 and 08:46 respectively.

The evening return services will leave Snow Hill at 16:46 and 17:46, arriving in Bewdley at 17:57 and 19:02 following a change at Kidderminster.

SVR said the trial was part of a long term project to assess the potential for introducing regular passenger rail services between Bewdley and the wider West Midlands rail network.

"If demand is demonstrated, it could pave the way for selected services that currently terminate at Kidderminster to be extended to Bewdley in future," it said.

The trial will assess passenger demand and hopes to show the benefits of connecting Bewdley more closely with the regional and national rail network.

"This is a hugely exciting opportunity for the Severn Valley Railway," Dunster said.

"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."

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive, added: "This pilot shows how we can improve our network by being more innovative with the infrastructure we already have."

"What better way to start or end your daily commute than onboard a heritage Severn Valley Railway locomotive?"

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