Bewdley Express Trial
Bewdley commuter rail link trial
We’ve joined forces with West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) and West Midlands Railway to launch a unique eight-week trial that will test the feasibility of extending regular passenger rail services from Birmingham to Bewdley.
Beginning on 1 September 2026, the trial will see heritage trains operating over the three-and-a-half-mile section of the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bewdley, connecting with West Midlands Railway services to and from Birmingham. Passengers will change trains at Kidderminster to complete their journey.
Main line rail ticket holders will be able to travel part of their journey on a heritage railway, hauled by heritage locomotives and operated by heritage railway staff.
The weekday commuter service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the trial.
- 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. The train will then depart from Kidderminster at 5.45pm and 6.50pm arriving back in Bewdley at 5.57pm and 7.02pm.
You’ll have around 16 minutes between trains on your morning commute (and 20–21 minutes on your return). There is a short walk (approx. 1 minute) between Kidderminster Town and Kidderminster station. Why not grab a hot drink while you wait at the newly opened Coffee Express, located right outside Kidderminster Town station (open Mon – Fri 6am – 9am and 3pm – 6pm).
Ticket prices
For the start of the trial, tickets will be available to purchase from West Midlands Railway staff at Bewdley, ahead of the morning departures on the day of travel. Tickets can also be purchased from West Midlands Railway ticket offices, including Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Online tickets will be available soon so please check back for updates.
- Bewdley – Birmingham Snow Hill, Anytime Return £16.00
- Kidderminster – Bewdley, Single £2.00
- Kidderminster – Bewdley, Return £3.60
The trial forms part of a longer-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.
We hope to assess passenger demand and demonstrate the wider benefits of connecting Bewdley more closely with the regional and national rail network. With significant housing growth in the area, improved rail connectivity has the potential to reduce road congestion for commuters while making Bewdley an even more accessible destination for leisure, tourism and business.
Prices from:
Important Information:
For the start of the trial, tickets will be available to purchase from West Midlands Railway staff at Bewdley, ahead of the morning departures on the day of travel. Tickets can also be purchased from West Midlands Railway ticket offices, including Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill.
Online tickets will be available soon so please check back for updates.
