Camp Hill Line revived after lying dormant for 80 years

Three brand-new railway stations opened in Birmingham today.

This comes after work to restore passenger services to the Camp Hill Line, which has been absent for more than 80 years.

Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road (Stirchley) stations will be operated by West Midlands Railway (WMR), connecting passengers to Birmingham New Street and Kings Norton, on services running every half hour Monday to Saturday and hourly on Sundays. 

The original Camp Hill Line closed in 1941

The line is served by WMR’s Class 196 diesel fleet, which entered service in 2022.

Each station features sheltered platforms, accessible lifts, passenger help points and secure cycle racks, with pick-up and drop-off areas at Pineapple Road and Moseley Village. 

The original Camp Hill Line closed in 1941 during the Second World War due to coal shortages, and each new station has been built on its historic site.

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for WMR, said: “With services as fast as ten minutes from Moseley to New Street, we know this will be a real game-changer for local residents, whether they’re commuting, visiting family and friends, or travelling for leisure.”

Sandeep Shingadia, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, said: “Restoring passenger services to the Camp Hill line isn’t just about shorter journey times. 

“It’s about easing congestion on our roads, cutting carbon emissions and opening up new economic opportunities across the region.”

Denise Wetton, Network Rail Central route director, said the reopening marked “an important moment for our local communities.”

Today’s 0627 to Kings Norton was the first service  

The first train to call at the new stations was the 0627 southbound departure from Birmingham New Street to Kings Norton. 

The construction project was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick and led by Transport for West Midlands, in partnership with WMR, Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and the Department for Transport.