On 10 October 2026, damage to the 25,000-volt overhead electric wires near Penkridge in Staffordshire caused disruption on the West Coast Main Line, halting train services between Stafford and Wolverhampton.
No trains are running on this section. Services linking Stafford, Birmingham New Street, and Wolverhampton are affected, with rail replacement buses operating at Birmingham, Stafford, and Wolverhampton stations.
Network Rail engineers are on site working to repair the overhead line fault. The damaged wires are essential for powering trains on this key railway corridor.
Passengers are urged to check National Rail Enquiries before traveling. Ticket acceptance is in place on
alternative routes including the East Coast Main Line and Midland Main Line via Sheffield.
Adam Checkley, Engineering Director for Network Rail Central route, said: “We’re sorry to passengers impacted by the overhead line problems at Four Ashes near Penkridge. Our engineers are on site trying to get the railway fully reopen as soon as possible. With disruption to train services likely throughout the day, I’d urge people to check National Rail Enquiries before they set off on their journey.”
Network Rail owns, operates, and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure which includes 20,000 miles of track, over 2,500 stations, and tens of
thousands of signals and level crossings. The West Coast Main Line is a key corridor handling significant regional and intercity traffic amid a network where passenger journeys have doubled over the past 20 years.
