More than 1,000 passengers used the Severn Valley Railway’s Bewdley Express during an eight-week trial linking the town with Kidderminster and the wider main line network.
The final service arrived at Bewdley at 7.02pm on Thursday 22 October, bringing the trial total to 96 services. The service operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with two early-morning journeys to Kidderminster and two evening return services.
Connections at Kidderminster enabled passengers to travel towards Birmingham and beyond. Although the trial was aimed primarily at commuters travelling to Birmingham and Worcester, passengers also used it for journeys to destinations including London, Plymouth and Glasgow.
Partnership approach
The trial was delivered by the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), West Midlands Railway (WMR) and the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) to assess whether heritage railway infrastructure could support improved connectivity. Passengers travelled between Bewdley and Kidderminster on main line tickets, using heritage trains hauled by steam locomotives and heritage diesel power.
SVR chief executive Gus Dunster said the organisation ended the trial with “a tremendous sense of pride”, adding that it had demonstrated what could be achieved when heritage and main line railways worked together.
He also praised the volunteers who supported the operation, including those who worked early starts and late finishes to deliver the timetable.
Passengers said the service had improved access to work and reduced the need to travel to Kidderminster by car or bicycle. Lisa, who does not drive, said she would normally cycle five miles to Kidderminster to catch a train to Birmingham. David, another passenger, said he had used the service most days and hoped it would continue.
Permanent service undecided
The trial was intended to measure demand and inform consideration of a regular Bewdley connection. Despite the passenger numbers, the partners have not yet decided whether the service should become permanent.
Any future decision will depend on the trial’s findings and a range of operational factors, with the SVR saying the process is likely to take time. Dunster said the trial had provided “invaluable information and data” while demonstrating to potential passengers what was possible.