The Anonymous Widower

Black Country Towns’ Trains Return After 60 Years

The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the BBC.

This is the sub-heading.

Two Black Country towns have welcomed trains for the first time in 60 years following the opening of new stations.

These two paragraphs give details of the route.

The Willenhall and Darlaston stations are part of a £185m project to reinstate rail links across the West Midlands not used in decades.

The two stations have been added to the Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street service via Wolverhampton.

Note.

1. The services are run by four-car Class 196 dieselmultiple units.
2. The frequency is two trains per hour.
3. One hourly service calls at Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Shifnal, Telford Central and Wellington.
4. The other hourly service calls at Tame Bridge Parkway, Darlaston, Willenhall, Wolverhampton, Bilbrook, Codsall, Albrighton, Cosford, Shifnal, Telford Central, Oakengates and Wellington.

This map shows shows the route of the Birmingham New Street and Shrewsbury service via Wolverhampton.

Note.

1. Willenhall station is in the North-Western corner of the map.
2. Darlaston station is marked with a blue arrow on the yellow track to the East of Willenhall.
3. Birmingham New Street station is in the South-East corner of the map.

I have one further thought.

Electrification

Only the almost thirty miles between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury is without electrification, but electrification is all the way between Wolverhampton and Birmingham New Street station is already wired.

I could see the Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury route being electrified using battery-electric trains.

Obviously, if the route is eventually electrified will depend on the traction needed for other services.

March 21, 2026 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Birmingham New Street Station, Class 196 Train, Darlaston Station, New Stations, Willenhall Station