New Wrexham-Chester service

[algytaylor]

I’ve noticed in the December ‘26 timetable that there’s a new Wrexham-Chester service, taking it up to 2tph. There was at one point some noise about there being a through service from Wrexham to Crewe (essentially an extension of the Chester-Crewe shuttle service), but it isn’t listed as such.

Anyway, I’d wondered if the trains *aren’t* coming from the Chester-Crewe shuttle service, where are they coming from? Surely there can’t be a 197 dedicated to a Wrexham to Chester shuttle … can there?

 

[Llandudno]

I’ve noticed in the December ‘26 timetable that there’s a new Wrexham-Chester service, taking it up to 2tph. There was at one point some noise about there being a through service from Wrexham to Crewe (essentially an extension of the Chester-Crewe shuttle service), but it isn’t listed as such.

Anyway, I’d wondered if the trains *aren’t* coming from the Chester-Crewe shuttle service, where are they coming from? Surely there can’t be a 197 dedicated to a Wrexham to Chester shuttle … can there?

As long as it’s not one of the Class 230 units off the Bidston line…..!

 

[Djgr]

I’ve noticed in the December ‘26 timetable that there’s a new Wrexham-Chester service, taking it up to 2tph. There was at one point some noise about there being a through service from Wrexham to Crewe (essentially an extension of the Chester-Crewe shuttle service), but it isn’t listed as such.

Anyway, I’d wondered if the trains *aren’t* coming from the Chester-Crewe shuttle service, where are they coming from? Surely there can’t be a 197 dedicated to a Wrexham to Chester shuttle … can there?

I think the new Wrexham General to Chester shuttle is extended to Crewe mid 2026.

 

[craigybagel]

I’ve noticed in the December ‘26 timetable that there’s a new Wrexham-Chester service, taking it up to 2tph. There was at one point some noise about there being a through service from Wrexham to Crewe (essentially an extension of the Chester-Crewe shuttle service), but it isn’t listed as such.

Anyway, I’d wondered if the trains *aren’t* coming from the Chester-Crewe shuttle service, where are they coming from? Surely there can’t be a 197 dedicated to a Wrexham to Chester shuttle … can there?

As long as it’s not one of the Class 230 units off the Bidston line…..!

It is booked for a single 197 shuttling back and forth all day. In theory a 158 could also be used on the day if required but not a 230

I think the new Wrexham General to Chester shuttle is extended to Crewe mid 2026.

That is the hope, that it'll merge with the existing Crewe - Chester shuttle. At the moment the paths don't match up, but the entire TfW North Wales timetable is due for recasting in 2026.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The new shuttle runs from the P2 bay at Chester and after arrival at Wrexham P1 it then wastes 10 minutes reaching the loop at Watery Road to reverse and reach P2.
There is no signalling to reverse a train in P1 at Wrexham, or crossover from the north to P2.
At Chester there's no connection to/from the TfW Chester-Crewe service, nor to/from the TfW Liverpool service, until the wider timetable changes in May.
Turnround time in Wrexham is typically xx22/40, and at Chester is xx57/02.

 

[j37401]

I'm not sure how busy the Crewe - Chester shuttle gets but it's always surprised me that this runs hourly when there are no intermediate stops along the route. Especially as there are Crewe - Holyheads and Aventi services replicating this inbetween.

 

[Fokx]

I'm not sure how busy the Crewe - Chester shuttle gets but it's always surprised me that this runs hourly when there are no intermediate stops along the route. Especially as there are Crewe - Holyheads and Aventi services replicating this inbetween.

Very! Especially on race days and events.

It's essentially the main way for passengers from North Wales and Chester to get pretty much anywhere, frequently.

Whilst there are direct routes to Birmingham, Cardiff and London from Chester, these all operate infrequently (largely every 2 hours) compared to connections at Crewe.

You also then have connections which aren't possible from Chester such as to Staffordshire, Alderley Edge, Nottingham and Derby to name a few.

 

[A S Leib]

I'm not sure how busy the Crewe - Chester shuttle gets but it's always surprised me that this runs hourly when there are no intermediate stops along the route. Especially as there are Crewe - Holyheads and Aventi services replicating this inbetween.

They're sometimes better for Trent Valley stopper connections; they're currently timed to arrive at Crewe at ××:54 with Avanti Chester services leaving at ××:45 and TfW shuttles at ××:21 (although southbound is currently LNR services leaving at ××:13 and TfW Chester services arriving at ××:18 rather than having twenty minutes to change at Crewe or Stafford).

 

[Lewisham2221]

I'm not sure how busy the Crewe - Chester shuttle gets but it's always surprised me that this runs hourly when there are no intermediate stops along the route. Especially as there are Crewe - Holyheads and Aventi services replicating this inbetween.

It can get pretty busy - there's only a handful of Crewe - North Wales TfW services per day and the Avanti services from London don't always make it beyond Crewe

 

[dk1]

I think the new Wrexham General to Chester shuttle is extended to Crewe mid 2026.

At least one is going direct to Carlisle via Settle during January’s blockades.

 

[Djgr]

It can get pretty busy - there's only a handful of Crewe - North Wales TfW services per day and the Avanti services from London don't always make it beyond Crewe

Indeed. To my mind the shuttle serves the (considerable) gaps when no other service operates.

As well as the services that start from Crewe there are those that start from Chester and the shuttle is needed to access them from Crewe (e.g. Wirral line, Manchester-2 ways, Chester to Shrewsbury)

 

[Kite159]

..

At least one is going direct to Carlisle via Settle during January’s blockades.

That's an Avanti service not the new Chester - Wrexham TfW shuttle

 

[dk1]

..

That's an Avanti service not the new Chester - Wrexham TfW shuttle

Oh yes of course but it’s doing a similar thing. Was quite impressed when I noticed part of my 10:07 Preston-Carlisle on the 6th of January started back from Wrexham.

 

[algytaylor]

It is booked for a single 197 shuttling back and forth all day. In theory a 158 could also be used on the day if required but not a 230

That is the hope, that it'll merge with the existing Crewe - Chester shuttle. At the moment the paths don't match up, but the entire TfW North Wales timetable is due for recasting in 2026.

Thanks (and to Djgr). That makes sense. Looking forward to seeing what happens in 2026 now!

 

[Sheridan]

Anyway, I’d wondered if the trains *aren’t* coming from the Chester-Crewe shuttle service, where are they coming from? Surely there can’t be a 197 dedicated to a Wrexham to Chester shuttle … can there?

Presumably a Crewe-Wrexham-Crewe hourly service would require two 197s, and the two separate shuttles require one 197 each, so in terms of unit requirements it doesn’t really matter if they’re joined up or not.

 

[Kite159]

Presumably a Crewe-Wrexham-Crewe hourly service would require two 197s, and the two separate shuttles require one 197 each, so in terms of unit requirements it doesn’t really matter if they’re joined up or not.

And I guess keeping the services separate, they can run longer formations on the Crewe - Chester services when required.

 

[akaMcMonagle]

It is booked for a single 197 shuttling back and forth all day. In theory a 158 could also be used on the day if required but not a 230

Just out of curiosity, why couldn't a 230 do such?

 

[craigybagel]

Presumably a Crewe-Wrexham-Crewe hourly service would require two 197s, and the two separate shuttles require one 197 each, so in terms of unit requirements it doesn’t really matter if they’re joined up or not.

One way or another, it will require one extra 197 a day, whether it's two separate services or one through one. Hopefully it can be found

And I guess keeping the services separate, they can run longer formations on the Crewe - Chester services when required.

That's certainly an advantage for now. In the old plans before the Wrexham shuttle was envisaged the Crewe - Chester shuttle was meant to be a 3 car set. Whether that will remain the case if it gets extended to Wrexham and requires two units remains to be seen.

Just out of curiosity, why couldn't a 230 do such?

I'm not sure if the paperwork has been done to run them in passenger service between Wrexham and Chester. Also, Chester are the only drivers depot who sign 230s, but they aren't the only depot that will be working these services.