An eight-week trial starting on 1 September will test whether heritage steam and diesel trains can extend regular passenger rail services between Kidderminster and Bewdley.
Severn Valley Rail (SVR) locomotives will operate over a three-and-a-half mile section, connecting with West Midlands Railway services to and from Birmingham. Passengers will be able to travel on the heritage trains using normal rail tickets.
Service times and connections
The trial will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with two morning departures at 06:40 and 07:40 from Bewdley. Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster and arrive at Birmingham Snow Hill at 07:46 and 08:46 respectively.
Evening return services will depart Snow Hill at 16:46 and 17:46, arriving in Bewdley at 17:57 and 19:02 following a change at Kidderminster.
Long-term plans and benefits
SVR said the trial is 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, selected services that currently terminate at Kidderminster could be extended to Bewdley in future.
SVR 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."
He 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, it also sees our railway fulfilling the purpose it was originally built for by carrying everyday passengers between Bewdley and Kidderminster."
SVR said improved rail connectivity had the potential to reduce road congestion and improve access to Bewdley.
Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Rail Executive, said: "This pilot shows how we can improve our network by being more innovative with the infrastructure we already have."