Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, HS2 engineers successfully installed the first section of the new Saltley Viaduct, which will form a bridge over the Birmingham to Derby railway lines.
Passengers using West Midlands and London Northwestern Railway services face disruption between 29 January and 6 February due to ASLEF industrial action.
Passengers in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands are set to benefit from “simpler, more flexible travel” from next year.