Virgin Trains to Shrewsbury

[Zoidberg]

I understand that Virgin trains are route training the Shrewsbury-Wolverhampton route today (hopefully in preparation for the new direct Shropshire-London service in December). A Voyager is expected at Wellington station at 16-16pm this afternoon.

That appears to be this train http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y80063/2014/05/18 from Crewe to Shrews, Wellington, Telford Central, Stafford, Milton Keynes and Euston.

It's shown as

Runs as required: this service only runs when it is required.

and that

... This warning will disappear if it is activated in the railway computer systems.

And at the time of updating this post (15:40) the warning mentioned above is still showing and it ought to have left Crewe at 15:17. So maybe a 'no show' today.

 

[nat67]

why not run class 180s on these?

 

[Geezertronic]

why not run class 180s on these?

VT don't have any 180s

 

[SprinterMan]

That appears to be this train http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y80063/2014/05/18 from Crewe to Shrews, Wellington, Telford Central, Stafford, Milton Keynes and Euston.

It's shown as



and that



And at the time of updating this post (15:40) the warning mentioned above is still showing and it ought to have left Crewe at 15:17. So maybe a 'no show' today.

Isn't this just a ghost path of one the cancelled services? The new services in December are supposed to be EBW extensions aren't they?

Adam

 

[Gareth Marston]

Isn't this just a ghost path of one the cancelled services? The new services in December are supposed to be EBW extensions aren't they?

Adam

Yep Sundays only runs as require not activated.

 

[Zoidberg]

Isn't this just a ghost path of one the cancelled services? The new services in December are supposed to be EBW extensions aren't they?

Adam

Yep Sundays only runs as require not activated.

I don't know what it is - it was the only entry in Realtime Trains which fitted a call at Wellington at 1616 as mentioned in post #330

 

[pt_mad]

Any idea on a route for December yet?

Will these call at Nuneaton?

 

[swt_passenger]

Any idea on a route for December yet?

Will these call at Nuneaton?

Not very likely. They are expected to be extensions of Wolverhampton services, as mentioned a few times in the last couple of pages of this thread.

 

[The Planner]

No expectation, they are tacked on to EBWs, nothing along the Trent Valley.

 

[Stats]

S17 application submitted:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse...014.07.07 Virgin 9th SA - Closes 22 July 2014

2 services each-way to Shrewsbury M-Sat, 1 each way Sundays, extension of Wolverhampton services calling at Wellington and Telford Central

1 service each way to Blackpool North M-F, extension of Preston service, calling at Kirkham & Weston and Poulton-le-Flyde

M-F
06:39 Shrewsbury - London Euston
10:23 London Euston - Shrewsbury
15:24 Shrewsbury - London Euston
18:23 London Euston - Shrewsbury

05:25 Blackpool North - London Euston
16:33 London Euston - Blackpool North

Sat
08:18 from Shrewsbury
11:23 from London Euston
15:24 from Shrewsbury
18:23 from London Euston

Sun
15:24 from Shrewsbury
19:00 from London Euston

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The application says the services will be operated by 5-car Voyagers.
The early train from Blackpool combines (as now) with a Holyhead service at Crewe, so that is a 10-car service into Euston.
If the other peak trains stay as 5-car they will be overcrowded.
The current 1633 ex Euston is a 390.

 

[Philip Elliott]

Papa 21 (16.33 to Preston) is a 221 currently.

 

[dk1]

Papa 21 (16.33 to Preston) is a 221 currently.

I understood it was a 221 too.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I understood it was a 221 too.

Not according to this: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81786/2014/07/17/advanced
I'm aware this is not definitive.
Is a single Voyager enough at that time?

 

[dannypye9999]

S17 application submitted:
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse...014.07.07 Virgin 9th SA - Closes 22 July 2014

2 services each-way to Shrewsbury M-Sat, 1 each way Sundays, extension of Wolverhampton services calling at Wellington and Telford Central

1 service each way to Blackpool North M-F, extension of Preston service, calling at Kirkham & Weston and Poulton-le-Flyde

M-F
06:39 Shrewsbury - London Euston
10:23 London Euston - Shrewsbury
15:24 Shrewsbury - London Euston
18:23 London Euston - Shrewsbury

05:25 Blackpool North - London Euston
16:33 London Euston - Blackpool North

Sat
08:18 from Shrewsbury
11:23 from London Euston
15:24 from Shrewsbury
18:23 from London Euston

Sun
15:24 from Shrewsbury
19:00 from London Euston

No Saturday service London to Blackpool then?

 

[Ebore]

The application says the services will be operated by 5-car Voyagers.
The early train from Blackpool combines (as now) with a Holyhead service at Crewe, so that is a 10-car service into Euston.
If the other peak trains stay as 5-car they will be overcrowded.
The current 1633 ex Euston is a 390.

If I'm not mistaken -U and -D in between the line code and platform columns indicate an attachment/detachment, so that gives:

M-F
06:39 SHR-EUS 10-car from WVH
10:23 EUS-SHR 10-car to BHM
15:24 SHR-EUS 10-car from BHM
18:23 EUS-SHR 10-car to WVH

Sat
08:18 SHR-EUS 10-car from BHM
11:23 EUS-SHR 5-car
15:24 SHR-EUS 5-car
18:23 EUS-SHR 10-car to WVH

Sun
15:24 SHR-EUS 10-car from BHM
19:00 EUS-SHR 10-car to WVH

 

[dk1]

Not according to this: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81786/2014/07/17/advanced
I'm aware this is not definitive.
Is a single Voyager enough at that time?

It seems to cope. Remember there is a 16.30 Glasgow directly in front which runs non-stop to Preston.

 

[Aldaniti]

It seems to cope. Remember there is a 16.30 Glasgow directly in front which runs non-stop to Preston.

It copes because passengers have realised its a short train and avoid it. Just like the morning service that joins with the Holyhead at Crewe.

I wonder how many people will be queueing at Blackpool North at 5.15 in the morning. And nothing on Saturday. Sounds like this Blackpool is being run more for operating rather than passenger reasons.

 

[Philip Elliott]

Not according to this: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y81786/2014/07/17/advanced
I'm aware this is not definitive.
Is a single Voyager enough at that time?

Real Time Trains is a fantastic tool but it is not always correct.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It copes because passengers have realised its a short train and avoid it. Just like the morning service that joins with the Holyhead at Crewe.

I wonder how many people will be queueing at Blackpool North at 5.15 in the morning. And nothing on Saturday. Sounds like this Blackpool is being run more for operating rather than passenger reasons.

The Saturday/Sunday thing may be because of upcoming resignalling/remodelling/electrification.

 

[dk1]

I wonder how many people will be queueing at Blackpool North at 5.15 in the morning. And nothing on Saturday. Sounds like this Blackpool is being run more for operating rather than passenger reasons.

Exactly how BR used to do it Long live Virgin Trains

 

[Aldaniti]

Exactly how BR used to do it Long live Virgin Trains

Nope. The up Lancashire Pullman departed an hour later, far more civilised. And the breakfast didn't require a magnifying glass and a pair of tweezers.

 

[dk1]

Nope. The up Lancashire Pullman departed an hour later, far more civilised. And the breakfast didn't require a magnifying glass and a pair of tweezers.

Virgin started by naming a Tram (HST) Blackpool Rocks. Didn't wash it's face then.

 

[Zoidberg]

Another step forward ... from http://www.shropshirelive.com/2014/...on-direct-rail-service-approved-by-regulator/

The Office of Rail Regulator today approved a direct rail service between Shropshire and London.

Virgin Trains will operate the service between Shrewsbury and London from 14 December. The service will stop at Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry and Rugby (morning service only). On Weekdays the service will depart Shrewsbury at 6:39am and 3:24pm, with arrival times in Euston at 9:15am and 5:56pm. Services back to Shrewsbury will leave Euston at 10:23am and 6:23pm, arriving in Shrewsbury at 12:58pm and 8:55pm.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Another step forward ... from http://www.shropshirelive.com/2014/...on-direct-rail-service-approved-by-regulator/

Vote Daniel, long live the Shropshire Star!

 

[Squaddie]

Will there be a new, earlier train on the Cambrian line to connect with the morning through train to London? Or will Cambrian passengers still have to suffer ATW as far as Birmingham?

 

[merlodlliw]

Vote Daniel, long live the Shropshire Star!

Both have done a very good job.

Now heres an interesting ATW service from December timetables

1G30 departs Chester at 0530 for Birmingham via Wrexham/Gobowen.
Arrives Shrewsbury 0627,
departs 0633,
Wellington 0646,
Telford 0653
Arrives Wolves 0711
arrives New Street 0730

The VT departs Shrewsbury at 0639 six minutes later calling at the same stops to Birmingham.
Will ATW save a service by terminating at Shrewsbury? I am aware there is a shortage of 158S for the Cambrian from next May for the hourly trials.
However it allows passengers from Chirk & Gobowen to change onto a direct London service at Shrewsbury.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Both have done a very good job.

Now heres an interesting ATW service from December timetables

1G30 departs Chester at 0530 for Birmingham via Wrexham/Gobowen.
Arrives Shrewsbury 0627,
departs 0633,
Wellington 0646,
Telford 0653
Arrives Wolves 0711
arrives New Street 0730

The VT departs Shrewsbury at 0639 six minutes later calling at the same stops to Birmingham.
Will ATW save a service by terminating at Shrewsbury? I am aware there is a shortage of 158S for the Cambrian from next May for the hourly trials.
However it allows passengers from Chirk & Gobowen to change onto a direct London service at Shrewsbury.

That's the service that forms the 0809 BHM INTL to Aberystwyth which is a very popular service and strengthened to 4 cars on Saturdays and summer with Pwllheli portion so no.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Will there be a new, earlier train on the Cambrian line to connect with the morning through train to London? Or will Cambrian passengers still have to suffer ATW as far as Birmingham?

No changes to Cambrian tt Dec 14 so no connections in UP direction though both DOWN trains should allow change at Shrewsbury.

 

[merlodlliw]

That's the service that forms the 0809 BHM INTL to Aberystwyth which is a very popular service and strengthened to 4 cars on Saturdays and summer with Pwllheli portion so no.

If only we had a six minute service no harm in throwing this about, so why cant it start at Shrewsbury? I am sure VT would welcome the trade and ATW the stock,after all both the VT & ATW will be semi fast to Wolves calling at the exact same stations six minutes apart. Discussions must have been held by ORR with both parties.ATW were pleased to save a DMU when VT took over the 0700 path from Wrexham Mon/Fri to Chester & London.

 

[Gareth Marston]

If only we had a six minute service no harm in throwing this about, so why cant it start at Shrewsbury? I am sure VT would welcome the trade and ATW the stock,after all both the VT & ATW will be semi fast to Wolves calling at the exact same stations six minutes apart. Discussions must have been held by ORR with both parties.ATW were pleased to save a DMU when VT took over the 0700 path from Wrexham Mon/Fri to Chester & London.

The 0809 is the summer Saturday children, bucket and spades train and rail ramblers and carries a lot of through traffic from West Midlands so you have to get the stock into Brum from Wales and Borders. The days when they use to roll stuff out of Tysley for this train - like your 0747 there's been a train at this time for decades are long gone. On weekdays well your asking a lot of extra people onto the 0805 London Midland service from New St to Shrewsbury as there's nothing at 0824 for them, ant travellers from London would have to change twice. It's not consequence free.