WSMR FirstClass

[bengolding]

I'm travelling north from Oxford tomorrow and want a change from the XC Voyagers. Looking at the WSMR timetable, I can change at Banbury onto the 13:30 WSMR to Shrewsbury.

Not having used WSMR before, can anyone share any experiences of their First Class? I see that they offer an inclusive complimentary 2 course meal, with the option of paying extra for the starter or dessert and alcoholic drinks are also extra. Is the quality of the food and service good? How many FC seats are there on WSMR, and am I likely to have difficulty getting a seat on the 13:30 service, having read reports that they seem to be pretty popular recently?

 

[dave_wm]

When I went on a Saturday service in February (from Tame Bridge to Wrexham and return), the first class service was excellent!

The food quality is also very good, and there are 24 seats in First Class on W&S, so hopefully you should be fine.

 

[Daimler]

First class service is fantastic - the staff are more helpful than on any other service I've been on, the food is freshly prepared - and it shows, and it's all served on 'proper' tableware. 'twas clean and comfy too when I went on it - though the Cargo Ds are starting to look their age inside - WSMR's refurbs should soon cure that, though!

 

[TDK]

I'm travelling north from Oxford tomorrow and want a change from the XC Voyagers. Looking at the WSMR timetable, I can change at Banbury onto the 13:30 WSMR to Shrewsbury.

Not having used WSMR before, can anyone share any experiences of their First Class? I see that they offer an inclusive complimentary 2 course meal, with the option of paying extra for the starter or dessert and alcoholic drinks are also extra. Is the quality of the food and service good? How many FC seats are there on WSMR, and am I likely to have difficulty getting a seat on the 13:30 service, having read reports that they seem to be pretty popular recently?

You get free hot beverages a starter and a main course in 1st class and it's the best food available on any train service and as the others say the staff are 1st class as well. Take a look at their wesite for more information www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk

 

[bengolding]

Thanks for the useful info. I'll give them a try tomorrow.

Banbury to Tame Bridge takes 68 mins. Is this enough time for the 2/3 courses, taking into account the food preparation time as you suggest? I've had a 3 course meal on a busy NXEC train in 45 mins today, when the staff were eager to clear us for the next sitting!

 

[furryfeet]

just to clarify:-
a) is the food service the same 7 days a week
b) at weekends, is the food service restricted to passengers with 1st class tickets, OR is it served to everyone in the 1st class coach, even if one has upgraded by paying the £15 weekend first supplement ?

 

[northernbored]

just to clarify:-
a) is the food service the same 7 days a week
b) at weekends, is the food service restricted to passengers with 1st class tickets, OR is it served to everyone in the 1st class coach, even if one has upgraded by paying the £15 weekend first supplement ?

I wish HT did with there weekend upgrade

 

[merlodlliw]

just to clarify:-
a) is the food service the same 7 days a week
b) at weekends, is the food service restricted to passengers with 1st class tickets, OR is it served to everyone in the 1st class coach, even if one has upgraded by paying the £15 weekend first supplement ?

a. Yes and excellent

b. If you have a first class ticket, you get the meal.

I have just returned from a Shrewsbury/Chester rail users meeting,the guest speaker was WSMR boss Andy Hamilton, , the new
rolling stock was on the screen, very impressive it looks.
I am always accused of being too over the top about WSMR, but give it a try
I am sure you will agree it gives the best service of any TOC as others who have used the service all agree.

 

[Krispo]

£15 is a fair wedge ad:

 

[Aictos]

I've travelled with WSMR in both Standard and First Class and I must say the FC was outstanding -While ordering my meals, the staff member pointed out to me that the chef was able to cook me a meal that wasn't on the menu which was great.

Oh I will say is this, if I was going to travel with them again then I would certainly use first class with them.

 

[gordonthemoron]

they seem to have quite a long wine list

 

[The Signalman]

I've sampled the 1st class with WSMR from Gobowen to Marylebone & return & I can say the food & service are top notch! - Cannot be faulted.

The Real Ale's good too.

 

[FGWadmirer]

Anyone know if they mind br passes rather than tickets? Sometimes XC and virgin will say no food if you haven't actually paid for the ticket...

 

[martyn29]

I piad £21.60 for a single from Wrexham to Tame Bridge.. it was lovely food!

 

[furryfeet]

b. If you have a first class ticket, you get the meal.

So if one upgrades to 1st class by paying the weekend first supplement, what food and drink DOES one get ?

Free tea / coffee perhaps ?

 

[martyn29]

Its now £24.10 first class single for what I had and Im planning to do it again. Wrexham to Tame Bridge Parkway.

 

[merlodlliw]

So if one upgrades to 1st class by paying the weekend first supplement, what food and drink DOES one get ?

Free tea / coffee perhaps ?

Ill call at the Station tomorrow and ask at the W/S cafe, they will know.

 

[CosherB]

I used it a couple of weeks ago - Marylebone to Shrewsbury 1st class. The food and the srvice was excellent - as were the Mk3s. All far better than Pendo 1st I'd used to go Wilmslow - Euston a few days earlier (inc breakfast).

WSMR Marylebone to Shrewsbury plus Arriva connection Shrewsbury to Wilmslow takes about twice as long and costs a couple of quid more than Virgin's London - Wilmslow direct. But it is far more pleasant if you are not in a hurry.

CS

 

[tbtc]

Interesing to read about the high quality of the First Class service (above and beyond what some TOCs do), since I didn't think Chiltern do First Class any more (could be wrong?) - wonder if the sucess of W&S in this respect may tempt them to reintroduce it on regular Chiltern services?

(that'd allow them to potentially interwork W&S and "normal" Chiltern sets too, but that's a story for a date in the future...)

 

[bengolding]

I was pretty shocked when Ciltern removed First a few years ago, as I personally knew people who travelled First Class from Gerrards Cross. They now drive.

I did the journey today. I won't mention the train but I was rather disappointed by the at-seat service. There was only one other First Class customer when I boarded and with a 'dedicated' First Class steward, I expected attentive service. The ticket check was immediate, but I was only asked if I would like a drink 10 mins later. No meal was consumed, as I half-expected them to take my order. I guess they don't serve complimentary meals from Banbury heading north, which is rather restrictive. No further offering of drinks for the remaining hour, whilst the staff had a chat in the 'staff seats', as the buffet was hardly used.

Plus, the armrest next to my First Class seat was broken!

As with Wolverhampton being set-down only southbound, is there anything to prevent WSMR stopping at additional places without competing with Virgin (e.g. set-down only southbound at Birmingham International/Coventry/Leamington Spa)? This would create more journey opportunities with direct links to Shropshire.

 

[phil beard]

I went from Banbury to Shrewsbury first class with WSM last Saturday (25/04) and the service was fantastic. The breakfast was better than any others I have ever had on a train, including charters, and the steward could not be more helpful.

As I didn't want to dine I travelled back standard class, and while the Cargo D coaches are getting a bit tired looking the catering was still fresh and cost-effective, while the staff were again very pleasant and helpful.

Well done, WSM... thank goodness there aren't any Virgins at Shrewsbury (so to speak!).

 

[tbtc]

As with Wolverhampton being set-down only southbound, is there anything to prevent WSMR stopping at additional places without competing with Virgin (e.g. set-down only southbound at Birmingham International/Coventry/Leamington Spa)? This would create more journey opportunities with direct links to Shropshire.

The could stop at Birmingham International if they wanted to, but W&S chose not to (as this leaves them free to run via Solihill if needed to), not sure about Coventry.

Leamington is a Chiltern station anyway, so presumably "baby Chiltern" would be allowed to serve it if they wanted - I could imagine a First Class service to/from London working well there.

 

[ChrisMcFall]

I quite like traveling with WSMR, although it should be better when their own Mk3's are out..i've heard theres one outside marcroft looking complete at the moment.

 

[clagmonster]

I assume Chiltern would be legally obliged in there franchise agreement to challenge a stop to pick up southbound at Leamington, much like they were at Banbury.

 

[bengolding]

At the moment, it is far quicker to get from Leamington Spa to London (xx12 XC to Coventry then xx30 to Euston) in 80 mins, than it is to get the direct Chiltern service to Marylebone, although the fares via Coventry are higher.

If WSMR were able to stop additionally there, it would generate far more custom but as you say, Chiltern wouldn't be too pleased.

 

[tbtc]

At the moment, it is far quicker to get from Leamington Spa to London (xx12 XC to Coventry then xx30 to Euston) in 80 mins, than it is to get the direct Chiltern service to Marylebone, although the fares via Coventry are higher.

If WSMR were able to stop additionally there, it would generate far more custom but as you say, Chiltern wouldn't be too pleased.

Didn't realise that about Lem - that's a surprise.

As for Chiltern not being too pleased, given their (owner's) large stake in WMSR, I can't see one getting in the way of the other

 

[JoeH]

At the moment, it is far quicker to get from Leamington Spa to London (xx12 XC to Coventry then xx30 to Euston) in 80 mins, than it is to get the direct Chiltern service to Marylebone, although the fares via Coventry are higher.

If WSMR were able to stop additionally there, it would generate far more custom but as you say, Chiltern wouldn't be too pleased.

I really can’t imagine any passengers from Leamington Spa would travel to London via Coventry. It might be 10-15 minutes quicker but the cheaper direct train runs twice as frequently, almost three hours later in the evening and do not require making a connection at Coventry with only nine minutes between trains.

Anyway, even if Wrexham & Shropshire were able to stop at Leamington to give a direct Marylebone service that only called at Banbury, it wouldn’t get to Marylebone any faster than the Chiltern trains because it’s going to be stuck behind them. Looking over their timetable WSMR do Banbury – Marylebone at most ten minutes quicker than stopping Chilterns are slower than some of the faster Chilterns.

 

[WSMRMD]

I was pretty shocked when Ciltern removed First a few years ago, as I personally knew people who travelled First Class from Gerrards Cross. They now drive.

I did the journey today. I won't mention the train but I was rather disappointed by the at-seat service. There was only one other First Class customer when I boarded and with a 'dedicated' First Class steward, I expected attentive service. The ticket check was immediate, but I was only asked if I would like a drink 10 mins later. No meal was consumed, as I half-expected them to take my order. I guess they don't serve complimentary meals from Banbury heading north, which is rather restrictive. No further offering of drinks for the remaining hour, whilst the staff had a chat in the 'staff seats', as the buffet was hardly used.

Plus, the armrest next to my First Class seat was broken!

As with Wolverhampton being set-down only southbound, is there anything to prevent WSMR stopping at additional places without competing with Virgin (e.g. set-down only southbound at Birmingham International/Coventry/Leamington Spa)? This would create more journey opportunities with direct links to Shropshire.

Ben,

I am suprised and disappointed by your comments - you will note from the other comments on this thread that your experience is certainly not the norm.

If you care to contact us direct and tell us which train you travelled on I can investigate to try and establish why you felt you did not get the service you would expect.

Regards

Andy Hamilton
Managing Director
Wrexham & Shropshire

 

[bengolding]

I really can’t imagine any passengers from Leamington Spa would travel to London via Coventry. It might be 10-15 minutes quicker but the cheaper direct train runs twice as frequently, almost three hours later in the evening and do not require making a connection at Coventry with only nine minutes between trains.

Anyway, even if Wrexham & Shropshire were able to stop at Leamington to give a direct Marylebone service that only called at Banbury, it wouldn’t get to Marylebone any faster than the Chiltern trains because it’s going to be stuck behind them. Looking over their timetable WSMR do Banbury – Marylebone at most ten minutes quicker than stopping Chilterns are slower than some of the faster Chilterns.

I know of several people (albeit all whom travel First Class) who travel via Coventry to Euston. One has a First season ticket to London routed via Coventry. He tried going to Paddington via Oxford/Reading, but found Farce Late Western let him down too often so opted for Virgin. As the staff know him at Coventry, if his Virgin train is late and he misses his XC connection, they put him in a taxi.
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Ben,

I am suprised and disappointed by your comments - you will note from the other comments on this thread that your experience is certainly not the norm.

If you care to contact us direct and tell us which train you travelled on I can investigate to try and establish why you felt you did not get the service you would expect.

Regards

Andy Hamilton
Managing Director
Wrexham & Shropshire

I travelled on the 13:30 service from Banbury heading north on Tuesday. I was looking forward to the journey, and was prepared to pay for the full 3 course meal + drinks, but this wasn't offered. The attendant clearly seemed more eager to chat about what their plans were that evening than serving customers!

 

[furryfeet]

Ill call at the Station tomorrow and ask at the W/S cafe, they will know.

did you manage to find out the answer to my question ?