Shuttle train service to run between Wolverhampton and Shifnal

A partial train service will resume between Wolverhampton and Shifnal next week following the closure of the line due to a landslip, West Midlands Railway (WMR) has confirmed today.

Train services have been suspended between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton following the landslip near Oakengates in Shropshire on Friday 8 March.

A rail replacement service has been in operation since the closure.

WMR will begin running one train service every two hours to stations between Shifnal and Wolverhampton from Monday 18 March.

The service will call in both directions at Wolverhampton, Bilbrook, Codsall, Albrighton, Cosford and Shifnal, with the average round journey taking between 20 and 25 minutes. Rail replacement services will still operate along the entire length of the line, from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton.

Jonny Wiseman, WMR customer experience director, said:

“This was a significant landslip and I thank passengers for their patience while Network Rail completes crucial repairs.

“With the line closed, we’ve operated a rail replacement service between affected stations and we are pleased to be able to run a train service between Wolverhampton and Shifnal in both directions from Monday.

“Passengers can now check departure times in journey planners and we will be running this partial service until the line reopens.”

The first service of the day will depart Shifnal at 07.07, with the final service of the day departing from Shifnal at 23.07. In the other direction the first service of the day will depart Wolverhampton at 06.15, with the final service of the day departing Wolverhampton at 22.15. Weekend departures times will differ from weekday departures.

For operational reasons related to the track layout, WMR is not able to run train services to Telford Central, which will remain served by rail replacement buses.

Pic: Daniel Johnson