West Midlands Trains (2026)

This article is about the future train operator. For the current operator, see West Midlands Trains.

West Midlands Trains

Overview
Main region(s)	Greater London North West England South East England West Midlands
Parent company	DfT Operator
Reporting mark	LM
Predecessor	West Midlands Trains
Other
Website	www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk

West Midlands Trains ^[1] is a future British train operating company that will take over the services of the operator of the same name from Transport UK Group and Mitsui & Co on 1 February 2026.

History

In the lead-up to the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the Labour Party of Keir Starmer committed itself to bring the passenger operations of the British rail network back under state ownership. ^{[2] [3]} Following its election win, the government introduced the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024 that received the royal assent in November 2024. ^{[4] [5]}

In July 2025, it was announced that DfT Operator would take over from Transport UK Group and Mitsui & Co on 1 February 2026. ^{[6] [7] [8]}

References

1. WM Trains Limited Companies House
2. Labour promises rail nationalisation within five years of coming to power The Guardian 25 April 2024
3. Labour pledges to renationalise most rail services within five years BBC News 26 April 2024
4. Rail nationalisation takes a step closer under Starmer’s first major public reform in Commons victory The Independent 4 September 2024
5. Government reveals first three operators to be renationalised after law change Railnews 4 December 2024
6. West Midlands Trains proud of what we have achieved as nationalisation date confirmed Railway Gazette International 30 July 2025
7. West Midlands Trains to enter public ownership Modern Railways issue 924 September 2025 page 9
8. British passenger renationalisation progress International Railway Journal 29 September 2025