West Midlands Railway has announced that the first ever electric train has travelled from Birmingham to Bromsgrove.
The train operator made the historic journey on Sunday to test the newly installed power lines, this is all ahead of a full timetable being introduced this Summer.
The electrification is part of Network Rail's Railway Upgrade Plan. When the work is complete, West Midlands Railway will be able to operate three trains every hour on top of the current timetable.
Currently, the town of Bromsgrove has two trains per hour at peak times, and one train an hour during off-peak times.
The local community is now also being urged to be extra safe around the railway, due to the live electricity wires.
Engineers from both Network Rail and West Midlands Railway were onboard the test train when it made three trips from Birmingham to Bromsgrove.
What did the officials say?
Richard Dugdale, the senior sponsor for Network Rail, said:
“Passengers will soon be travelling on electric trains between Birmingham and Bromsgrove which will provide a better, greener, more reliable service.
“The Railway Upgrade Plan is delivering significant improvements across Britain. Bromsgrove with its new station and electric train service is reaping the benefits.
“Electric trains mean overhead power lines along the railway are live, 24 hours a day. I would urge everyone to remember this and never put themselves or others at risk by trespassing on the railway.”
Richard Brooks, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway said:
“There is still more work to be done but the test train is a major step towards giving Bromsgrove the extra services the town needs. These are exciting times for the region. Rail travel in the West Midlands has never been more popular. We are investing almost £1 billion to create more and better journeys, helping to shape and support the region's economy and identity.”
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Would it mean that Class 170’s & Class 172’s could be replaced and to operate elsewhere. With WM Railway to receive the Class 172’s from London Overground to operate on the Coventry-Nuneaton and Coventry-Leamington Spa services.
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