A Caledonian Sleeper service is to start calling at Birmingham International from January, connecting the West Midlands with the Scottish Highlands.

The new service is being welcomed as a boost to tourism.

It will be the first major change to a sleeper route since the Night Riviera between London and Cornwall ceased to include a separate sleeping car for Plymouth 20 years ago.

Sleeper trains between London and Scotland were part of the ScotRail franchise until March 2015, and the operation, which had gained new rolling stock, was then renationalised by the Scottish Government in June 2023.

From the evening of 15 January a Caledonian Sleeper will be calling at Birmingham International six nights a week and taking passengers to Aberdeen, Fort William or Inverness.

Caledonian Sleeper interim managing director Graham Kelly said: ‘This historic timetable update marks a significant milestone in our mission to further boost sustainable cross border travel options.

‘Birmingham is the latest city set to benefit from our high-quality overnight train service as residents will be able to drift off in the West Midlands in their own private room and wake up to beautiful views of the Scottish Highlands. Similarly, we believe our new route will be incredibly popular with leisure tourists from Scotland given the wide range of sights and attractions in Birmingham and across the West Midlands to be discovered.’

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker added: ’From next year, the region will welcome a legend of the railway – the Caledonian Sleeper. This iconic service means people from the West Midlands will be able to travel comfortably and sustainably to discover the stunning beauty of northern Scotland.

‘But this also means our Scottish friends can come and explore the wonderful West Midlands. That’s a win-win for our tourism and hospitality businesses on both sides of the border.’

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