Wrexham & Shropshire - their rise and fall (merged topic)

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

So declares the angel.

Coffeeshop fora - blocked
TES community - blocked
weight watcher message board -blocked
runnersworld - blocked
open university noodle vle - blocked

all saying only suitAble for over 18 and asking to phone 150 from your mobile to request it unblocking.

I gave up at that point.

[Chafford1]

Have your parents restricted your access?   

[welshman]

It's obviously ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) retaliating for not being allowed to run their Aberystwyth to Marylebone service.   

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

lol it does seem abit silly tbh

[Mookiemoo]

Well it was awful - I worked out I could get onto the bbc and that was it...........oh - and facebook.

Also - we DID^» (Didcot Parkway - next trains) call at New Street - cable theft at Thame Bridge!

Was on W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) because I was in central London and my default was via newport......... except then I realised the 1833 (I was right next to marylebone) would get me in at 2232 - same time as via newport realistically - and it was cheaper and I'd be fed!

[readytostart]

Off topic, though that never stops me, travelled WSMR^▸ (Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway) Friday before last, as usual the service was top notch, food to put other companies to shame (treated myself to a TAB-BAN 1st trip).
I suppose in my shorter trip I didn't have time for Wiffy as I was busy with the chicken terrine and lamb shoulder.
^16 WSMR first single TAB-BAN, with a free two course meal thrown in not bad at all for an hour on the train, compare that to a peak FGW^▸ (First Great Western) first fare RDG^‡(resolve) to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)!

[Mookiemoo]

I have to say everything else was top notch - I don't want ANYONE to think I'm slagging of W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) because I'm not - just the wifi is a bit - silly.

I didnt go for the game terrine but went for the mushroom soup ( the alternative was minestrone)

I had lamb shank with potatoes and carrots (turned down the stuffed chicken and the sweet potato and chick pea curry)

We were 9 late leaving banbury and 10 leaving leamington then got diverted via new street because of the thame bridge fiasco - but I still got to shrewsbury on time to make my connection.

Two interesting things come to mind:

1. If I HAD gone via newport, I would have been late - the train I would have been on was only pulling INTO ludlow as I cam out of tesco having done a shop

2. Most people in the first carriage were not using the wifi - I know this because when I asked was this a known issue, the customer host (is that what they are called?) and the TM^‡(resolve) went through the carriage asking if anyone had the same problem.

I was the only one connecting to wifi other than for email.  So maybe its not a pressing issue.  Would be interesting if they did the same survey in standard.

I did also noice, several people asking whether the standard class cariages were standard - and I have to say, if I wasnt after the free meal (getting home after 10 and then cooking was not attractive), I would have NO Problem going W&S standard on the refurbs.  Not at all!

[readytostart]

2. Most people in the first carriage were not using the wifi - I know this because when I asked was this a known issue, the customer host (is that what they are called?) and the TM^‡(resolve) went through the carriage asking if anyone had the same problem.

I think they stick with the old-fashioned Senior Steward and Steward.

They get 10/10 for out of the box thinking that few other operators think of, diverting via WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line), stops at Wembley on match days, tube maps and travelcards on offer from the TM etc.

[Timmer]

Standard on W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) is better than many TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) First class IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion).

[Btline]

I think they stick with the old-fashioned Senior Steward and Steward.

They get 10/10

Quite right! None of this stupid Retail Service Manager, Customer Host. IT'S STEWARD DAMMIT!

[thetrout]

Why not use a VPN connection FA...?? It would bypass the system and all your internet traffic is routed through your company/home servers... slow if your using an ADSL link on your servers but certainly usable...

I for one do not use a WiFi hotspot without an encrypted VPN connection to my work network... But then I deal with confidential information so having somebody monitoring my connection is a no no

I think that W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) are fantastic. They always have a vegetarian meal option, staff are very friendly and approachable, also the service is very punctual too

On my last trip with them I went on the newly refurbished coaching stock, which I have to say, I thought was superb. They've really pushed the boat out as the seats are really comfy, the lighting is pleasent, the toilets were clean (and also had those Dyson Airblade Hand Driers).

Also some of there tickets are excellent value for money. First Class Anytime Return - Tame Bridge Parkway - Wrexham General for approx ^30 with railcard. Much better than the ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) rat infested 158 option

[Btline]

By the way, my iPod Touch Wifi never works in VT^▸ (Virgin Trains - former franchises) First Class!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Appalling! 

[willc]

They get 10/10 for out of the box thinking that few other operators think of, diverting via WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line), stops at Wembley on match days,

While W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) does many things very well, people do seem to get a bit starry-eyed about it on occasions. It's not too hard to concentrate on getting details right when you run three or four trains a day each way.

And what's out of the box about Wembley stops for big events? They got the idea off their sister firm Chiltern, which has been doing it for a long time. And diverting on alternative routes, what's out of the box about that? FGW^▸ (First Great Western) South Wales services go via Gloucester when the Severn Tunnel is shut and South Wales and West Country trains will be running via Oxford, Banbury (reverse) and the Chiltern Line between Christmas and New Year's Eve when Reading is out of action for the signalling to switch to Didcot.

[Btline]

Appalling! 

Indeed!