New December Timetable Brings Changes for Chiltern Railways Customers
Chiltern Railways is urging passengers to check their journey plans ahead of the upcoming national timetable change, which takes effect this month. The operator says the adjustments will support preparations for the rollout of its new fleet, due to enter service in 2026.
Several alterations will come into force from Sunday 14 December, affecting both weekday and weekend services. Among the changes are revised stopping patterns at Stourbridge Junction, Kings Sutton and Warwick, alongside timetable revisions on key London–Birmingham routes.
On Saturdays, the early morning Birmingham Moor Street to London Marylebone service will begin at Stourbridge Junction, departing at 6.44am instead of the previous Birmingham-only start at 7.14am. All northbound trains to Birmingham Moor Street will call at Warwick, with six extra Saturday calls and two more on Sundays.
Weekday evening schedules will also look different. The 4.37pm and 6.37pm departures from London will now run through to Stourbridge Junction, though the latter will no longer stop at Hatton or Lapworth — those calls instead move to the 7.06pm Marylebone to Birmingham service. Meanwhile, the 5.07pm and 6.07pm trains from Marylebone will terminate in Birmingham rather than continuing to Stourbridge, requiring onward connection at Moor Street for passengers travelling further. Some services at Kings Sutton will also change as the network prepares for its newer trains.
Michael Stewart, Commercial and Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, said:
“Train timetables are changed nationally every six months to improve the overall function of the railway and adjustments are made to benefit the entire network. As we prepare to introduce newer trains, which will offer 10,000 additional seats on our network from the end of 2026, we have made some adjustments to our loco-hauled services. There will also be some amendments to Kings Sutton, Warwick and Stourbridge Junction services, and I advise customers to check their journeys from Sunday 14 December.”
Passengers are encouraged to review route planners before travelling to ensure they are aware of the new timings and stopping patterns.
Image: Chiltern Railways