Wrexham - London train

[agricola]

Anyone else been on this? As long as you dont mind the journey time (4h 10 - 20 min) and the ex-BR stock (old InterCity-liveried Mk 3's for those who know such things), it is very enjoyable. Polite and helpful staff, no rush for seats like on the Virgin trains, cheaper travel, punctual, and it ends (or starts) at the nicest train station in Wales.

I for one hope the blatant attempt by the Bearded One to kill it off (Virgin's Wrexham - London trains via Chester start soon) fails.

 

[niclas]

It's got to be better than Virgin Trains - cramped and little windows.

Last time I went to London from Wxm it only took 3 hrs with a swift change at B'ham New Street.

Seems daft that the through train takes longer but that's largely down to rival train firms in England blocking off the best routes. Privatisation is a complete bastard.

 

[agricola]

Seems daft that the through train takes longer but that's largely down to rival train firms in England blocking off the best routes. Privatisation is a complete bastard.

Indeed. The Wrexham and Shropshire was almost stopped before it had begun, as Virgin have a clause in their contract that severely affects competitors to the West Coast main line (even though the W+S doesnt actually travel on any of the WCML). I would prefer the whole thing was nationalized, but if they are insisting on privatization then they could at least do it properly and encourage the competition.

http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrexham_and_Shropshire

 

[durruti02]

it will be a lot faster when they pass speed tests for the motor .. they use old EWS freight trains which curently have a speed restriction on the chiltern line

 

[davesgcr]

Those EWS trains are 125mph locomotives - its the pathing is the issue !!!!