Wrexham and Shropshire are Go!

[Dave]

North West Trains had the right idea with that - a service from the centre of their jurisdiction that connects directly with Eurostar?

As for the 158s, any 158 used would be severely overhauled, is what I've been told. Really hope so.

[Kevo00]

North West Trains had the right idea with that - a service from the centre of their jurisdiction that connects directly with Eurostar?

Theoretically, but I thought it went via the Welsh Borders line! It would surely be quicker for anyone wanting to catch Eurostar to take a Virgin service to Euston then hop on the Northern Line.

[Dave]

North West Trains had the right idea with that - a service from the centre of their jurisdiction that connects directly with Eurostar?

Theoretically, but I thought it went via the Welsh Borders line! It would surely be quicker for anyone wanting to catch Eurostar to take a Virgin service to Euston then hop on the Northern Line.

You can thank Virgin's refusal to allow access for that. Think it went Manchester-Crewe-Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton-Birmingham then maybe Didcot-Slough-Acton-Richmond-Waterloo?

[Kevo00]

Something like that, but it was clearly a right-around-the-houses effort!

[Dave]

Something like that, but it was clearly a right-around-the-houses effort!

Meh. It followed the old XC Birmingham-Paddington run but diverted at Acton into Waterloo. Going via Shrews would have only added about 45 minutes to the journey.

I really hate Virgin for stifling competition like that.

[JamieLei]

This Easter Sunday I was on a VERY "Round the Houses" Chiltern Virgin train.

Birmingham - Nuneaton - (Bedworth) - Coventry - (Leamington) - (High Wycombe) - (West Ruslip) - (Ealing Broadway) - (Willesden Junction) - London Euston.

The fact it went BHM - COV via Nuneaton added another 25 minutes to the journey, but got some interesting sights in. I just don't think anyone would contemplate using that service on a regular basis - I'd rather change than use another "round the houses" service - it was even slower than London Midland's All-Stations one!

[Ameecher]

It's not for the benefit of passengers but keeps the driver's route knowledge up to date.

[JamieLei]

It's not for the benefit of passengers but keeps the driver's route knowledge up to date.

Actually completely wrong - the WCML was closed so it was the typical diversion route, apart from the deviation via Nuneaton which was to pick up passengers from up-north. It was even driven by a freight driver - the train was delayed 30 mins starting from New Street and the Train Manager was very keen to pass the blame onto the "freight contractor" for not providing a driver on time and thus was not Virgin's fault.

Virgin don't sign Nuneaton to Coventry I believe, or even the Chiltern. - I think they sign Birmingham to Nuneaton though, and they have the odd late-night scheduled services on that line.

I really hate Virgin for stifling competition like that.

In a way while they're paying the ridiculous premiums they have a right to block competition which might steal money from them... - the premiums start this year I believe...

[Ameecher]

Ah I was unaware the WCML blockades are still going ahead, still, nevermind.

[JamieLei]

An excellent very pro-WSMR article from the Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/1 ... shropshire

[Dave]

Ah I was unaware the WCML blockades are still going ahead, still, nevermind.

They're not, but it WAS Easter weekend. Usually they'd go direct via Coventry and Leamington but it was different this weekend because only MK to Rugby was shut so there were services from Rugby to the northwest (just Crewe, Manchester and Liverpool - all via Stoke on Trent as Stafford was shut and only as far as Crewe because Warrington to Wigan was closed). All of these services from Rugby called at Nuneaton, so it was sort of a mini interchange for the weekend - passengers from the north could change at Nuneaton to avoid a bus from Rugby to MK, and it was also the only way to get to London as I believe Coventry-Rugby was also up.

Perfectly good reasons for Virgin's Chiltern service. I believe the trains are route conducted by GBRf drivers, which would go along with what Jamie said.

[Born Acorn]

http://www.nwrail.org.uk/

Looks like Branson himself has a word or two to say about this!

Sir,

Several claims have been made about Virgin Trains' plans to run a service between Shrewsbury and London. Wrexham & Shropshire is a "tiddler" but it is owned by the German state railway Deutsche Bahn. Virgin believes that this investment is part of DB’s move into the UK rail industry. The claim that W&S has the cheapest fares in Britain is wrong as Virgin Trains already offers lower fares on services between Wrexham and London, starting from £8. Virgin Trains planned to run faster trains than W&S at different times and to guarantee our service until the end of our franchise.

However, we would not want to be accused of being anti-competitive, so we have decided to withdraw the additional services. In return, I think that the people of Shrewsbury should now receive firm assurances from DB and W&S that they will continue to run this service for years to come.

Sir Richard Branson
London W6

As the article points out, W&S is only 50% owned by DB, and it does employ local people.

Is there any news on the Voyager service to Wrexham? Is it still "temporary", or are they going to continue?

This collection - http://mark-riley.fotopic.net/c1107734_1.html - Has a lot of W&S, dating right back to the first staff train, construction of the bay Depot, test trains, naming ceremonies, even two poor chaps dressed as palace guards in the new shopping centre here, advertising.

[JamieLei]

The service to Wrexham isn't part of the franchise commitment, although it's probably in Virgin's best interest to run it - after all they're aiming at the business market primarily, hence allowing Coach D to be designated first class allowing 2 first class carriages on North Wales services. After all, it's only a short distance from Crewe where a train would be idling anyway.

But then we've never seen such local enthusiasm for a rail service like this before! - If only Grand Central received the same amount of positive publicity from the people of Sunderland

[Born Acorn]

Looks like Marcroft are progressing, but slowly:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixrYwMkTHII

They have those cool hand dryers!

[orudge]

Woo, AirBlades! Those trains do look like they should be quite nice!