We recently marked the 50th anniversary of Birmingham International railway station, which opened on 26 January 1976 to provide a key connection to Birmingham Airport and the NEC and has since evolved into an essential transport hub for Solihull, Coleshill and the wider West Midlands.
The milestone was recognised alongside partners from the West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham Airport, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and the NEC, with a specially commissioned cake, commemorative displays and shared reflections on the station’s development. Designed by architect Ray Moorcroft, the station now accommodates around 300 daily services from operators including Avanti West Coast, West Midlands Trains, CrossCountry, Transport for Wales and the recently added Caledonian Sleeper, serving approximately five million customers each year.
Whilst celebrating the last 50 years, we are also actively working with key local partners to develop an agreed masterplan vision that can guide future development and ensure that the station remains fit for the future.
The community art project at Stockport station was recognised with the Art Project Award at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Awards for A View from a Train Window, a large‑scale installation of 50 artworks created by local residents in partnership with our Community Rail Partnerships. Funded through our Community Rail Project Fund, the initiative enabled the ARC Centre to run creativity‑ and wellbeing‑focused workshops, resulting in a distinctive rail‑themed feature along the Edgeley approach, framed by Pendolino‑inspired illustrations and praised by judges as a “colossal” and “striking” reflection of the region’s landscapes and heritage.
Macclesfield station also received a commendation in the Chris Dale TravelWatch Award for Large Stations, demonstrating the high standards delivered across our managed stations and the positive outcomes achieved through our continued partnerships with community organisations. Read more here.
First Pint Pulled at Carlisle Station’s New Heritage Pub
We were pleased to see The Scott & Brassey, a new heritage‑themed pub on Platform 4 at Carlisle station, officially open following a £400,000 railway‑funded renovation delivered by us in partnership with Lancaster Brewery, Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust to champion Cumbria’s independent brewery scene with one of the region’s largest selections of locally sourced beers and spirits.
The opening complements the significant investment we are supporting at Carlisle, including the £27m Station Gateway Project and £13.5m in Government accessibility funding, helping to transform the station into a modern and welcoming gateway to the city.
Leaders from across the rail industry and local government have praised the strong collaboration behind the project, recognising how it revitalises historic spaces, supports local SMEs and celebrates Carlisle’s heritage, reflected in the pub’s name, honouring Sir Walter Scott and Thomas Brassey, and in the high‑quality restoration of the former First Class waiting room into a warm, characterful space for customers and the community.
We were pleased to welcome the return of artisan coffee to Oxenholme Station in January, with the arrival of Ramble & Roast on Platform 1. Trading from a converted Smart Car, they brought a fresh dose of hipster coffee culture to this corner of the Lake District and were quickly embraced by customers.
We also continued our commitment to supporting sustainable transport. Dedicated bays were marked out at the station to make it easier for members of the Co-Wheels Car Club to locate their vehicles, improving both visibility and convenience for users.
Looking ahead, we were hopeful that the Cafexpress unit on Platforms 2–3 would be converted to the Refresh brand in the coming year, further enhancing the food and beverage offer available to customers.
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