How the new West Midlands Railway trains will look
Major investment in the Black Country and Staffordshire rail network of up to £1 billion has been promised following the launch of the region’s new operator.
West Midlands Trains could not have picked a worst day to take over from London Midland on Sunday amid some of heaviest snow seen in years, causing severe travel disruption.
The operator marked its inaugural day urging people not to travel and warning of major delays because staff could not get to work.
SEE the first West Midlands Railway train pull into Birmingham's Snow Hill station
But things were a little smoother for a formal unveiling ceremony at Birmingham’s aptly named Snow Hill station today as a crowd of dignitaries gathered on Platform 2 to cheer the arrival of one of the newly branded grey, purple and orange trains as it rolled in – thankfully on time.
The occasion was somewhat dampened by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling failing to show. While his replacement, rail minister Paul Maynard also missed the proceedings.
West Midlands Trains, will be split into two public-facing brands; West Midlands Railway running services in and around Birmingham including the Chase Line, and London Northwestern Railway handling routes on the Euston, Birmingham and Liverpool corridor.
Its launch was hailed as a ‘significant’ day for the region.
Among ambitious promises made were £1billion worth of investment in services, 413 new carriages within four years, 1,050 new car parking spaces across the network, free Wifi on all mainline services by 2021, compensation for 15 minute delays as well as £60m to be invested in improving stations – or even resurrecting old abandoned ones.
Establishing a Wolverhampton to Walsall line was described as a ‘firm proposal’ by Wolverhampton council leader Roger Lawrence who is also chairman of West Midlands Railway.
He told the Express & Star: “There will be very significant improvements to regional services. “The Wolverhampton to Walsall railway line with extra stops at Darlaston and Willenhall is a firm proposal.”
Staffordshire County Council’s transport chief Mark Winnington was also in attendance.
He said: “It is really exciting that the people of Staffordshire can be part of this bigger picture and can expect better services.”
Andy Street, West Midlands Mayor, added: ““We are very excited about the prospect of new lines and new stations and indeed old stations being re-opened.”
