London Midland: former routes and current operators
London Midland was the former operator linking London Euston with the West Midlands and running many local services around Birmingham. Its successor network uses the London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway brands.
Reviewed 6 November 2026.
Operator history and changes
London Midland was created in 2007 from parts of two previous franchises: Silverlink County’s services out of London Euston and the western part of Central Trains. It was operated by Govia through London & Birmingham Railway Limited. The combined network included both longer journeys along the West Coast corridor and local trains across the West Midlands.
The London Midland agreement ended in December 2017, when the successor West Midlands franchise introduced two passenger brands. London Northwestern Railway identifies the Euston and longer-distance corridor services, while West Midlands Railway identifies the regional network. The former London Midland name is also different from the much earlier London, Midland and Scottish Railway; the two belong to different periods of railway history.
Former routes and principal stations
Historical Euston and West Coast corridor services
London Midland connected London with intermediate towns and the West Midlands, with regional links farther north. This list illustrates the former corridor rather than a present stopping pattern.
Historical West Midlands local routes
The former operator also served Birmingham commuter lines and regional routes in surrounding counties.
Travelling on these routes today
For present travel, use London Northwestern Railway or West Midlands Railway according to the service shown in your itinerary. On the Euston corridor, compare stopping services with Avanti West Coast separately: the departure time, journey length and ticket restrictions can differ. For Birmingham journeys, confirm whether the train uses New Street, Snow Hill or Moor Street rather than treating the city name as one boarding location.
Tickets and journey choices
London Midland promotions and operator restrictions are historical. Current fares may be limited to London Northwestern Railway or another named operator, even where trains share the same main line. Check the itinerary and ticket wording before boarding a faster alternative or changing the route; an old London Midland journey guide cannot establish present acceptance.
Accessibility and assistance
Use the current operator’s assistance service and station access information. A transfer at Birmingham New Street or between Birmingham stations needs different planning from a change at a smaller junction. Check the correct platform, lift status and connection allowance, particularly where a main-line journey is followed by a local branch service.
Sources and further information
Use the current operator's information to check the latest timetable, disruption and assistance arrangements for your travel date.