No train services to or from Birmingham New Street: 24 - 28 December 2026, no train services will operate on any part of the network on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Customers planning to travel over the Christmas period are being advised that there will be no train services to or from Birmingham New Street from Thursday 24 - Monday 28 December 2026 while Network Rail carries out a major railway upgrade.
As part of a £13 million investment to improve the reliability of the railway, Network Rail will be replacing sections of the overhead power lines that help keep electric trains running safely and efficiently. Much of this equipment dates back to the 1960s and now needs renewing.
How will this affect journeys?
The work will take place from Thursday 24 December to Monday 28 December, with train services expected to resume on Tuesday 29 December. Please note services are expected to be busier on the 23 and 29 December due to this.
During the closure, trains will not run to or from Birmingham New Street. Customers should expect journeys to take longer and may need to use:
- Local bus services
- Rail replacement buses
- Alternative rail routes where available
The nearest alternative rail stations for travel into and out of Birmingham will be:
- Walsall
- Sandwell & Dudley
- Birmingham International
Rail replacement buses will operate between Birmingham New Street and Walsall/Sandwell & Dudley/Birmingham International to help keep people moving.
Additionally, engineering work will be taking place between Daventry and Northampton 27 December - 1 January.
Engineering work will affect services via Northampton and Long Buckby. Some journeys to and from Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street will require a change at Rugby, while some services to and from Crewe will be amended or start/terminate at Milton Keynes Central. Rail replacement buses will operate between Northampton and Rugby, calling at Long Buckby.
Please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time for your journey.
What's happening on your route?
Train services will run from Wolverhampton to Liverpool - 1 train per hour.
At Wolverhampton, customers can connect to train services to Sandwell and Dudley where rail replacement buses will be available to Smethwick Galton Bridge. From Smethwick Galton Bridge, customers can continue their journey on train services to Birmingham Snow Hill, with up to five trains per hour operating.
Train services will start at Crewe and terminate at Wolverhampton - 1 train per hour.
At Wolverhampton passengers can then transfer onto services to Sandwell & Dudley and get on the rail replacement bus from Sandwell and Dudley to Smethwick Galton Bridge to then change onto train services to Birmingham Snow Hill - 5 trains per hour.
Train services will start and terminate at Birmingham International.
Rail replacement buses will operate every 20 minutes between Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street calling at all stations along the route.
- 27 December - 1 January Engineering work will affect services via Northampton and Long Buckby. Some journeys to and from Birmingham International and Birmingham New Street will require a change at Rugby, while some services to and from Crewe will be amended or start/terminate at Milton Keynes Central. Rail replacement buses will operate between Northampton and Rugby, calling at Long Buckby.
Please check your journey before travelling and allow extra time for your journey.
Alternative travel options
For journeys between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, the West Midlands Metro will offer the easiest and most direct travel option.
Travel arrangements will vary across the network during this period. While rail replacement services will operate on some routes, local bus services may offer a quicker and more convenient option for other journeys. Please plan ahead and check your full journey here Journey Planner | Official Train Ticket Info | National Rail before travelling to ensure you have the most suitable travel option.
Rail Replacement Bus Locations
Rail Replacement Bus Information
- You require a valid rail ticket to travel on a rail replacement bus.
- All of our rail replacement vehicles are fully accessible.
- Animals are not permitted on rail replacement buses (except for assistance animals).
- Large items of luggage and non-folding bicycles are not permitted onboard rail replacement bus services.
- Food and drink may be taken onboard, however this is at the driver's discretion.
- Toilets may be available onboard, although there may not be step-free access to these facilities.
- All services will display the destination and 'rail replacement' wording.
- For more information on rail replacement services, click here.
Changes to your journey
- Reminder: In line with the National Rail Conditions of Travel, you will be eligible to claim Delay Repay if your journey is delayed by 15 minutes or more against the pre-advertised rail replacement timetable in operation during the above dates. You will not be eligible to claim for any difference between the arrivals in the regular timetable and the rail replacement timetable.
- If you choose not to travel due to the engineering works, you're advised to contact your point of purchase to discuss refund options. Find out more here: Ticket refunds and changes
- For further information or assistance contact us: Customer services