merlodlliw
Established Member
Wrexham/Shrewsbury/Crewe/Chester/Wrexham Circular.
With the arrival of the long evening sun light we two scura members chose Thursday 11 June to sample a Crewe circular via Shrewsbury and Chester from Wrexham/Gobowen.
The 1638 ATW Cardiff service with 175 002 had us in Shrewsbury on time 1716 where we found Freight Liner 66510 in the through road with 16 heavy haul hoppers.
Just in time to witness the evening rush hour for homeward going commuters as the Holyhead, Birmingham New St and Aberystwyth services came together and departed, although there is no north bound connection from the Aberystwyth service onto the Holyhead train as the latter departs just as the former arrives.
We waited for the northbound premium service at 1806 which arrived on time behind 57315 - as per attached photo.
Paying note of the first class occupancy we counted 7 having had a meal but the second class was rather more busy with commuters joining to gain northbound transit.
At Crewe for 1843 a large number got off and an almost equal number got on heading down the coast.
At Chester for 1904 there was similar churn of passengers on and off with the train away on time at 1906.
We now waited 1hr 20mins for the Virgin service back to Wrexham noting the 1922 VT arrival splitting in platform 3.
EWS 66092 and 66230 came through with a train of coal hoppers heading east.
2016 and the next Virgin arrived with 221102 & 103. The former went forward to Holyhead at 2022 and we joined the rear portion for 2027 departure to Wrexham
It was noted how confused some passengers were by the splitting of the train. Despite efforts of platform staff some foreign passengers heading for Bangor joined the Wrexham portion and had to be ordered off.
Prior to departure the VT staff announced the train as going to Wrexham but nothing was said about the onward opportunities for stations to Shrewsbury. Again occasional passengers unfamiliar with the arrangements were confused and made anxious as to their travel options onward from Wrexham. Fortunately we were on hand to advise them on this occasion.
Hard to say how many on board were from London, although the local MP Ian Lucas was noted as travelling home flush with the success of his recent appointment, but at best there was a coach load detraining at Wrexham, although many would have joined at Chester.
Again nothing was said about the onward connection in platform 3 where the ATW 150 awaited and the occasional passenger had to be guided over the footbridge to join it.
The W&S train ex Marylebone was already tucked up in the bay on a night everything worked as planned with the 150 away on time at 2049 and the VT following as an empty stock movement to the loop.
On this occasion everything went according to plan and on a brilliant sun lit evening the circular tour provided an interesting and pleasant occasion when we met a range of travellers both known and unknown to us. Definitely a case of a little knowledge proves useful as without it the arrangements could be baffling for the first time traveller.
With the arrival of the long evening sun light we two scura members chose Thursday 11 June to sample a Crewe circular via Shrewsbury and Chester from Wrexham/Gobowen.
The 1638 ATW Cardiff service with 175 002 had us in Shrewsbury on time 1716 where we found Freight Liner 66510 in the through road with 16 heavy haul hoppers.
Just in time to witness the evening rush hour for homeward going commuters as the Holyhead, Birmingham New St and Aberystwyth services came together and departed, although there is no north bound connection from the Aberystwyth service onto the Holyhead train as the latter departs just as the former arrives.
We waited for the northbound premium service at 1806 which arrived on time behind 57315 - as per attached photo.
Paying note of the first class occupancy we counted 7 having had a meal but the second class was rather more busy with commuters joining to gain northbound transit.
At Crewe for 1843 a large number got off and an almost equal number got on heading down the coast.
At Chester for 1904 there was similar churn of passengers on and off with the train away on time at 1906.
We now waited 1hr 20mins for the Virgin service back to Wrexham noting the 1922 VT arrival splitting in platform 3.
EWS 66092 and 66230 came through with a train of coal hoppers heading east.
2016 and the next Virgin arrived with 221102 & 103. The former went forward to Holyhead at 2022 and we joined the rear portion for 2027 departure to Wrexham
It was noted how confused some passengers were by the splitting of the train. Despite efforts of platform staff some foreign passengers heading for Bangor joined the Wrexham portion and had to be ordered off.
Prior to departure the VT staff announced the train as going to Wrexham but nothing was said about the onward opportunities for stations to Shrewsbury. Again occasional passengers unfamiliar with the arrangements were confused and made anxious as to their travel options onward from Wrexham. Fortunately we were on hand to advise them on this occasion.
Hard to say how many on board were from London, although the local MP Ian Lucas was noted as travelling home flush with the success of his recent appointment, but at best there was a coach load detraining at Wrexham, although many would have joined at Chester.
Again nothing was said about the onward connection in platform 3 where the ATW 150 awaited and the occasional passenger had to be guided over the footbridge to join it.
The W&S train ex Marylebone was already tucked up in the bay on a night everything worked as planned with the 150 away on time at 2049 and the VT following as an empty stock movement to the loop.
On this occasion everything went according to plan and on a brilliant sun lit evening the circular tour provided an interesting and pleasant occasion when we met a range of travellers both known and unknown to us. Definitely a case of a little knowledge proves useful as without it the arrangements could be baffling for the first time traveller.