Wrexham & Shropshire

[voyagerdude220]

Well I used WSMR for the first time (and hopefully first of many) yesterday, and the service I recieved from Ruth Jones, who's one of the stewards pictured on the WSMR website, was simply fantastic.

She was very attentive, and I couldn't fault the customer service side of things at all.

It was just a big shame that the 11:10 was over an hour late leaving Wrexham General yesterday, due to faults with the train, which the train crew didn't know too much about, and because of failure by Chiltern, to supply a relief driver at Banbury as planned, we had to terminate.

Also, a fault in the FC buffet (forgotten code for it) lead to no lighting in the official FC section, but I didn't mind at all, as I was still served in the de-classified TFO.

And to top it all off, the price was simply unbelievable VFM, compared to other TOCs like Hull Trains, which offers a similar service in FC, but on a 222 vice Cargo-D stock.

I will definately be travelling with WSMR again very soon, when both time and money permits.

 

[paul1609]

I've recently used WSMR for a day out in Llangollen. The 10.17 ex marylebone had no first class passengers and 23 second class until Wolverhampton. This was crowded compared to the 18.10 ex Wrexsam which arrived back in to London with 8 on board (15 mins early). In both directions the train was only reasonably busy between wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. Beyond Shrewsbury passengers could be counted on one hand in both directions. No one left or joined at Tame Bridge Parkway in either direction.
The service was good and the buffet well stocked but the very poor pathing is a major handicap. i had to laugh at the WSMR timetable leaflet which promised connections to the Cambrian Coast with only a 2hour wait at Shrewsbury.

 

[martyn29]

anyone have any idea on prices? FC if poss single from Wrexham to wolves

 

[Pumbaa]

Hmm - they're restricted at Wolves due to moderation of competition, as Virgin feel they should have a monopoly as is laid out in their franchise specification. Check their website - it's all there.

 

[martyn29]

cheers

 

[me123]

Only Wolves to London is restricted IIRC; you'd be absolutely fine. HOwever, only 3 of the 5 trains call in the Southbound direction. All northbound trains call.

Off Peak Return is £18.50

 

[martyn29]

what about a first class single so i can sample the fine foods on offer:P

 

[EE Type 3]

what about a first class single so i can sample the fine foods on offer:P

http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/

For all infomation on Wrexham and Shropshire, funnily enough.

 

[martyn29]

is there any cheaper first class tickets than £55?
I looked on the website but didnt find any

 

[voyagerdude220]

No, unless you hold a valid railcard, in which case the fare drops to £36.50

 

[EE Type 3]

Isn't it still £14 one way standard? Might have to have a bash sometime

 

[martyn29]

I am buying a £22.80 first class single from Wrexham to Tame Bridge parkway next thursday so I can sample the food, I am bashing Wrexham and Shropshire all day with a rover as well.

 

[Proud Salopian]

Ah sounds good - have fun in Shropshire! Look out for the new depot at Coleham! (The 97/3s haven't arrived yet though.) Which rover are you using?

 

[xtradj]

wrexham and shropshire will soon fail i think, stops at minor stations that with just 1 change can reach london anyway

and with virgin serving wrexham at peak times i cant see many using the service

banbury is covered by chilton, wolves by virgin, and the minor stations can be reached from new street on a holyhead service

 

[TDK]

wrexham and shropshire will soon fail i think, stops at minor stations that with just 1 change can reach london anyway

and with virgin serving wrexham at peak times i cant see many using the service

banbury is covered by chilton, wolves by virgin, and the minor stations can be reached from new street on a holyhead service

Wrexham and Shropshire pick up the majority of their customer from stations on the route and only a minority seem to get on a Wrexham, Virgin are only having one train a day from Wrexham with a considersbly higher fare so I do not think the Virgin service will have much of an impact on them and think VT are targeting Business Customers where as WSMR are more a family/group type of service. The only factor that has changed is the VT service. The others have been there since the start i.e.other services to New Street.With the better paths and timings I think WSMR will improve their passenger numbers from December

 

[The Planner]

wrexham and shropshire will soon fail i think, stops at minor stations that with just 1 change can reach london anyway

and with virgin serving wrexham at peak times i cant see many using the service

banbury is covered by chilton, wolves by virgin, and the minor stations can be reached from new street on a holyhead service

They will be ok, they have got their trains on the graph now and can get the foot in the door for better paths now (which they have). The Chiltern thing makes no difference, Chilterns move their trains left right and centre to accomodate WSMR. The idea is to start serving High Wycombe on a couple of services soon. When the Sutton Park line gets its headways sorted, watch them move to Walsall instead of Tame Bridge.

 

[Stonesourscotty]

I'd say good luck to WSMR. Virgin only got involved because they realised there's money to be had there.. Personally I'd like to See Open Access Companies Succeed and then Expand like Hull Trains are trying to The More Possible different routes there are the better it is for Consumers and Spotters.

 

[paul1609]

They will be ok, they have got their trains on the graph now and can get the foot in the door for better paths now (which they have). The Chiltern thing makes no difference, Chilterns move their trains left right and centre to accomodate WSMR. The idea is to start serving High Wycombe on a couple of services soon. When the Sutton Park line gets its headways sorted, watch them move to Walsall instead of Tame Bridge.

Lets face it WSMR are Chilterns open access service. They wouldnt ever have got permission to run the service under the Chiltern Franchise so they've done it through the back door. Good Luck to them I say.

 

[EE Type 3]

wrexham and shropshire will soon fail i think, stops at minor stations that with just 1 change can reach london anyway

and with virgin serving wrexham at peak times i cant see many using the service

banbury is covered by chilton, wolves by virgin, and the minor stations can be reached from new street on a holyhead service

Thing is, W&S services get wedged out at Shrewsbury, Cosford, and Banbury. The service is so successful at Cosford that station parking is being created (At the moment passengers either have to walk, or park in the RAF car park)

They have their place now, and they will be here to stay.

 

[williamn]

Any news on the refurbed stock? Its taking forever!

 

[tbtc]

When the Sutton Park line gets its headways sorted, watch them move to Walsall instead of Tame Bridge.

Interesting idea - one of the biggest places in the UK without a service to London. Would that have to reverse at Walsall to get to Wolverhampton? And (if it did happen) it'd be a turn up to see an open access operator on a service (Walsall - Wolves) that the PTE chopped...

 

[The Planner]

Interesting idea - one of the biggest places in the UK without a service to London. Would that have to reverse at Walsall to get to Wolverhampton? And (if it did happen) it'd be a turn up to see an open access operator on a service (Walsall - Wolves) that the PTE chopped...

No, my guess would be that WSMR would want to chop all the services that go via International and send them up via Tyseley, Landor St and over the Sutton Park into Walsall and on to Wolves.

 

[EE Type 3]

Any news on the refurbed stock? Its taking forever!

First set nearing completion, I've heard from various sauces () that they'll be a year late.

 

[williamn]

why so late? How can anything be so delayed?! Was this the same company that did GC's stock?

 

[Techniquest]

Yes it is. Previously unfound corrosion is what I've heard has caused a lot of delays with this lot.

On the subject of WSMR, which platforms are they booked to use at Shrewsbury? I see from your video Dave that it came through from the Chester line into platform 7, is this normal? When I did WSMR the first time to Shrewsbury (from Wolverhampton) there was works on so we terminated in bay platform 6, so still no idea what they use going north.

Same question for Wrexham General.

 

[Phoenix]

Yes it is. Previously unfound corrosion is what I've heard has caused a lot of delays with this lot.

On the subject of WSMR, which platforms are they booked to use at Shrewsbury? I see from your video Dave that it came through from the Chester line into platform 7, is this normal? When I did WSMR the first time to Shrewsbury (from Wolverhampton) there was works on so we terminated in bay platform 6, so still no idea what they use going north.

Same question for Wrexham General.

I traversed Tame-Bridge to Chrik the other day and we traveled through the two main platforms not sure which numbers but there the platforms in the main area of the station rather than bays or side roads.
Hope that help Techniquest.

But on another note hopefully all this coaching stock bother will be sorted sooner rather than later but by looking at the current advertising previews available it may just be well worth the wait.
Personally last Sunday was by far the best service I have ever had on a train period!

 

[Techniquest]

That'll be platforms 4 and 7 then. Ta!

 

[The Planner]

They shouldnt be putting them through 7, there is a loco ban through there due to a dodgy set of points.

 

[Proud Salopian]

WSMR use platforms 3, 4 and 7.

 

[EE Type 3]

They shouldnt be putting them through 7, there is a loco ban through there due to a dodgy set of points.

They are restricted over the points. Other that that it's fine.

They are booked to use 3 or 4 for Wrexham bound services, and 4 or 7 for London bound trains.