Most trains 'running as normal over Christmas'

22 December 2025

David SchafferWest Midlands

News image — Network Rail has advised passengers to make checks before they travel as engineering work may affect some routes

Network Rail Two sets of rail tracks can be seen going into the distance, where a maintenance train and staff can be seen working. In the background is Birmingham's city skyline. — Network Rail has advised passengers to make checks before they travel as engineering work may affect some routes

Many trains in the West Midlands are set to run as normal over Christmas, although some routes may be affected by engineering work, Network Rail (NR) says.

Passengers are advised to check the timings of trains before they travel across the region, including on the Chiltern main line.

Maintenance and HS2-related work would be taking place into the new year, affecting some services into London and Birmingham and for passengers on long-distance journeys, NR said.

Denise Wetton, director for NR Central route, said: "Trains will continue to run across the majority of the West Midlands and Chiltern areas this year, with just a small number of routes affected."

Planned work could mean some services, particularly between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street, could be busier than normal, NR said.

West Midlands Railway passengers are advised of the following changes to services:

28 December: Services between Worcester and Kidderminster/Bromsgrove will be operated by rail replacement buses until 16:00 GMT
Overnight 31 December – 1 January 2026: Routes between Birmingham and Lichfield Trent Valley/Tame Bridge Parkway will be operated by rail replacement buses from 10:00 GMT on 31 December until 10:00 GMT on 1 January
23–29 December: CrossCountry services between Water Orton and Coleshill Parkway will be disrupted as HS2 engineers install sections of the Water Orton Viaducts. Replacement buses will operate to Birmingham New Street

£26m upgrade

"Christmas and New Year are generally quieter times... which allows us to carry out essential work and upgrades which will affect fewer passengers," Ms Wetton said.

"However, work elsewhere will affect long distance journeys and could mean certain services may be busier than normal."

On the West Coast Main line between Euston and Rugby, a £26m upgrade at Hanslope Junction, near Milton Keynes, will begin on Christmas Eve until the morning of 5 January, according to NR.

The work is designed to improve reliability and reduce disruption for the 3,300 weekly passenger and freight services on the line, the company added.

As a result, journeys to and from London Euston will be affected from Christmas Eve until the morning of 5 January, meaning trains between London Marylebone and Birmingham Moor Street may be busier.

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