A unique trial that saw Severn Valley Railway steam and diesel trains help people travel was used by 1,000 passengers – leading to calls to make it a permanent service.
For the last two months heritage trains have been used to carry commuters from Bewdley to Kidderminster, where they can then access mainline services to Birmingham and beyond.
John Dutton, a special needs teacher, said: “It’s brilliant – I think it would be good for tourists as well as workers if they made it a permanent thing.”
Gus Dunster, Severn Valley Railway’s managing director, said talks would be held to decide what happens next.
The service, known as the ‘Bewdley Express’, has been running three days a week between Tuesday and Thursday during the 8-week period in September and October.
Passengers were able to use two early morning connections from Bewdley to Kidderminster, and then two evening return services.
Commuters using it on the final day of the trial this past week said it had transformed their ability to travel.
Lisa Rawlings, 39, who works in Birmingham for a bank, said: “I live in Bewdley and before this I’d been cycling to Kidderminster four days a week to get on the train to Brum.
“Yes it’s kept me fit, but doing it in the winter can be horrendous. I can’t work from home so I’d love to see this service come back.”