Date: 10/08/2017

A new rail operator has been awarded a contract to run the West Midlands rail franchise, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced. West Midlands Trains Ltd will take over routes currently operated by London Midland from December. The company is a joint venture between Dutch firm Abellio and Japanese partners. The deal will see almost £1bn of investment and new, longer trains, the DfT said. The franchise covers routes in the West Midlands, as well as from London Euston to Crewe, and Liverpool to Birmingham.

External links

London Midland loses rail franchise

BBC News

West Midlands Trains will take over services in December, the Department for Transport says.

Related images

Passengers familiar with operations at MKC will know that many Pendolinos and Voyagers pass through platform 6 - plus the occasional mail train [see image 35686]. But now that London Midland have tuned up their 350's for 110mph running, they are mixing it with Virgin trains. This unit got me to Nuneaton in 35 minutes.
Location: Milton Keynes Central
Company: London and Birmingham Railway
08/02/2013 Ken Strachan

London Midland EMU 350267 about to leave platform 18 at Euston on 29 August 2014. The heavily loaded twelve coach train, running slightly late, is the 18.13 service to Birmingham New Street via Northampton.
Location: Euston
Company: London and Birmingham Railway
29/08/2014 David Pesterfield

Scene on platform 8 at Liverpool Lime Street station on 21 June 2013. London Midland 350241 is preparing to depart with a service to Birmingham New Street.
Location: Liverpool Lime Street
Company: Liverpool and Manchester Railway
21/06/2013 Veronica Clibbery