Wrexham & Shropshire launch date

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Do you have any info on what passenger numbers are currently like in general, willc?

[willc]

Not at the moment Lee. I was waiting for their overhauled trains to appear to give me a reason to do a how things are going piece for the paper, but just like the Grand Central HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train), Marcroft at Stoke seem to be taking forever to actually do the work on the Mk3s. The first set was supposed to be ready late last year but still no sign of it.

What I have found is an interview the md, Andy Hamilton, did with Railnews last December and it says  passenger journeys between W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator))^s catchment area and London increased by 32 per cent in the first five months of W&S operations (May-September effectively, first trains ran at end of April), compared with the same period last year, which I don't think is a coincidence, there has also been a surge in numbers of London tickets sold from the towns Grand Central serves - direct trains do draw custom.

Full interview is here http://www.railnews.co.uk/opinions/interviews/2008/12/02-andy-hamilton.html

[devon_metro]

Since Grand Central has sorted itself out I think its quite a popular service: http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p55072546.html

[Btline]

It really is bad how Telford Central was built without ticket barriers.

I have travelled from there several times, and the platforms are very open.

Part of the problem is that the over-bridge also acts as a major public footpath to the town centre.

Oh well, it could be worse (and it will speed trains up!).

[eightf48544]

Readers of February's Modern Railways are being offered two ^1 standard class returns on WSMR^▸ (Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway) Monday to Fridays until 13th March.

Trouble is you have to be on 06:45 ex Marylebone (08:00 Banbury).

But still might be worth investigating

[IndustryInsider]

It looks like Wrexham & Shropshire will be introducing another service on weekdays from the next timetable change. The following is stated in the excellent Chiltern Railways 'Passenger Consultation' document which is available to view here: http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/plan-your-journey/download-our-timetable/

'Additionally, to facilitate the introduction of an additional Wrexham & Shropshire service, the following minor re-timings will occur in the evening peak:

1833 to Bicester to depart at 1836
1837 to Aylesbury via High Wycombe to depart at 1839
1840 to Aylesbury via Amersham to depart at 1842

And to even out loadings, it is intended to lengthen the 1803 Marylebone to Bicester North from 3 cars to 4, by reducing the 1741 Marylebone to Stratford-upon-Avon from 4 cars to 3.'

Other potential Chiltern improvements include additional trains in the late evening to improve on capacity out of Marylebone, numerous minor tweaks, and a late evening service from Oxford-Banbury at gone midnight which will improve on the current last train at 22:56 offering Banbury residents a full night out in Oxford without worrying about getting back to the station by 11pm (this train already runs empty stock from Oxford formed off of the late Stratford-Oxford service).

Good stuff all round!

[Btline]

There is an express to b'ham at 1830, so I expect the w&s service will follow it 3 mins later.

[John R]

That will be a major improvement to the W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) by filling in the long gap that currently exists, and which probably deters some business travellers.

[willc]

On the basis of what I have been told by W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)), more like an adjustment of the timetable, with there still being five trains each way.

Full story at: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/4112728.Rail_firm_plans_new_peak_service/

[Btline]

Interesting.

Chiltern Railways' proposed timetable plans document is ambiguous:

.... to facilitate the introduction of an additional Wrexham & Shropshire service .... minor re-timings will occur in the evening peak...

"Additional" is the problem word.

So I wonder whether the current 4.30 ish train is being axed? (to be replaced by the 6.30 ish)

[willc]

Unlikely, as it's also a key travel time. And what I was told was clear - three afternoon services. I wouldn't be surprised it if means the end of the 20.03. It's unlikely to be a huge draw for passengers - it gets to Shrewsbury at 23.15 and Wrexham just shy of midnight.

[Btline]

Ah....

I, too, would think it mad to withdraw the 4ish train.

[willc]

Re usage of trains, there is post on the North Wales Coast Railway site about a trip on W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) on Saturday, Jan 31, where 105 people got off at Marylebone from the 6.18 from Wrexham, so about two thirds full and not bad for a journey requiring a pretty early start for a weekend, leaving Shrewsbury at 7.05 and Telford at 7.24.

[willc]

And now Virgin Trains discovers a sudden desire to serve Telford and Shrewsbury again...

http://www.shropshirestar.com/2009/02/23/virgin-plans-london-rail-link/

I could think of a few things to say but will confine myself to observing that if they can spare the Voyagers to go on this magical mystery tour, including the Sutton Park line to Walsall, maybe they could give them back to XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) instead, where they could be put to better uses than trying to put W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) out of business and making up for all the main line stops they cut at Nuneaton from December, which have made Virgin's name dirt in north Warwickshire, just as it became in Shropshire after they reversed their much-trumpeted reintroduction of through trains following privatisation.

[eightf48544]

Very interesting, obviously W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) are affecting Virgins Shrewsbury/Telford takings.

Did you see the other bit about Arriva wanting to revive an old service from Aberystwth to London Marylebone. I thought the Cambrian Coast Express ran from Paddington.

What stock would they use, with the line going already RETB^▸ (Radio Electronic Token Block) and shortly to be ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System.) they are going to be very short of suitable stock to run their normal services let alone have a unit disappear for 4 hours or more going from Birmingham to Marylebone and back.

Plus does it also have to have ATP^▸ (Automatic Train Protection) (Chiltern) for Anyho Marylebone and LUL^▸ (London Underground Ltd) trainstop to run via Aylesbury (reverse) when the line South of Risborough is shut. Chiltern  did this during the recent Evergreen 2 work..