Eventful start for Wrexham and Shropshire - report by Mark Riley
The first day of the WSMR's passenger services to London saw some
interesting events occur. The first train out (above), the 05:42
Wrexham-London Marylebone, worked by EWS
67 025 Western Star leading south, and
67 026. 67 026 is seen at the rear,
a few minutes before departure.
67 025 about to make history in more ways than one, leading the first
regular passenger train service between Wrexham and London for many
years. However, 67 025 developed brake problems less than 2 miles out
from Wrexham. After a 10 minute delay, the train managed to continue on
to Wellington, where 67 025 was declared a failure. 67 026 ran round to
the front, and the train was double headed to Marylebone, arriving
approximately 30 minutes late.
67 017
Arrow was dispatched from
Wembley Yard, and hauled the return 10:17 from Marylebone. 67 026 was
left behind and 67 025 was carried dead on the rear.
Above, Wrexham General later in the afternoon, and the first loco to
visit the new depot was EWS
37 401,
dispatched from Warrington to take 67 025 off the incoming train back
there.
67 029 Royal Diamond arrived soon after in
order to replace 67 025 and power the afternoon scheduled 15:10 return
to London. 67 029 is seen about to run into the bay platforms.
67 029 stabled alongside 37 401, both awaiting the arrival of the train.
67 017 leads the 10:17 from London Marylebone into Wrexham
approximately an hour late, with failed 67 025 dead at the rear. In the
depot area, 67 029 and 37 401 await their next duties! However, it was
discovered that 67 017 was low on fuel, so itself had to be removed
from the train.
67 025 was uncoupled from the stock, and 67 029 was attached in turn to
67 025 to drag it off to the depot area for 37 401 to pick it up.
67 029 drags 67 025 off the stock and away to the depot area for 37 401
to collect.
67 029 then connected to the stock in platform 3. 67 017 was
uncoupled...
... with 67 029 taking what should have been the 15:10 to Marylebone
out of Wrexham about 90 minutes late, and with no 67 on the rear.
Apparently 67 026 was re-united with the train at Shrewsbury.
67 017 then ran up to couple behind 67 025, already attached to 37 401,
with this resulting formation.
37 401 reverses out on to the main line, ready to leave for
Warrington...
..and the unusual convoy eventually leaves Wrexham for Warrington at
17:22.
Obviously a very testing and stressful first day for all staff
concerned, but from what I observed at Wrexham General, they remained
professional and coped extremely well with rather an extreme situation.
They should be congratulated for their efforts. All these
shunting manoeuvres were carried out in between normal services running
between Chester and Wrexham, so this deserves appreciation too! And
Wrexham General hasn't seen as much action for years!
The opening ceremony - report by George Jones
The first public Wrexham and Shropshire train got away at 05:42 with
EWS locos 67 025/026 - not without problems (see story above) - but the
official ceremony was held on platform 1 at Wrexham General before
invited guests and local dignitaries prior to the departure of the
second train at 07:25. Those not travelling waved them off to mark a
significant moment in Wrexham's railway history.
The Welsh Assembly Government Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones made the speech
and unveiled the plagues (Welsh and English versions) and Andy Hamilton
for WSR made the introductions and Mike Gallop, Route Enhancement
Manager for Network Rail made a comment about their contribution.
Our pictures show some of the personalities and the arrival of the
train from Crewe via Chester. Then
67
013 arrived with a strengthened train for the second departure.
Local MP Ian Lucas was showing his support by travelling to London on
it.
I went down to Shrewsbury on the 11:10 which was the return
working of the first train out from Marylebone. The pictures show the
train at Shrewsbury with 67 014 (above) ...
... and
67 012. [No numbers on
the front ends in this livery, unfortunately for website editors.]
Here we found out the return of the first train from Wrexham was
running an hour late after a fresh engine was found to bring it back -
67 026 had gone on the front of 67 025 at Wellington on the way down
and there was no run round facility at Marylebone but fortunately 67
017 was available at Willesden. Above, 67 017
Arrow arriving at Shrewsbury.
The headboard: 84L represents the new depot at Wrexham, based on the
old-style British Railways coding system.
'Off to a flying Start' - from Wrexham and Shropshire's newsletter
It's just over a week since Wrexham & Shropshire launched through
rail services to London Marylebone. Since then, over 1,500 passengers
have sampled the new service. We've received some really great messages
of support and positive responses to the friendly welcome onboard!
Performance has been encouraging, with 100% timekeeping on most days
during the first week. And our primary focus is to keep your new
service running on time, day after day. Many of you have already
found out how easy it is to buy your ticket from the website - you can
print your ticket off at home or we can send it to your mobile, as well
as post you a conventional ticket if you prefer.
We've just extended the dates when you can book tickets and
reservations to the end of July on weekdays. You can book for travel on
Saturdays to early July, and Sundays to the end of May - and we'll
extend this again shortly. With our advance fares from as little as
£22 and a great First Class offer starting at £50, it
couldn't be a better time to get on the through train to London.
From the Shropshire Star, 28 April
The first train operated by Wrexham and Shropshire to London Marylebone
left Shrewsbury station at about 6.30am after leaving Wrexham a few
minutes late. It was then forced to stop at Wellington for 40 minutes
after suffering engine failure. The locomotive was moved from the back
of the train to the front to allow the service to continue. Andy
Hamilton, Wrexham and Shropshire managing director, said all passengers
on the service would have their tickets refunded.
He said: 'Originally we thought the necessary changes could not be made
in London so the control room took the decision to change at Banbury,
but we were able to make special arrangements to continue. One of the
locos had a technical problem, fortunately we had on board one of the
technicians from the company we hire it from, EWS Railway. They have
managed to get round it so we can still continue into London.All
passengers will be refunded. It is unfortunate it happened today, but
it is one of those things. We apologise to customers.'
Richard Rayworth, train manager on the first service, said it was a
disappointing start. He said: 'Obviously it’s a shame and a bit
disappointing but as long as we go forward and improve then it’s a one
off.' The service arrived at Telford at 7.37am - under an hour late and
arrived in London at 10.30am - 35 minutes late. It started its return
journey at 11.14am - almost an hour behind schedule. The service will
use hired trains before the company’s own fleet is brought into service
this summer.
On the eve of a new era - report by Mark Riley
A train was operated for staff/families of Wrexham and Shropshire on 26
April. This was topped and tailed by 67 012 and 67 014, and consisted
of four Cargo-D Mk 3s. Note the Mk3 behind 67012, M12071, has no
W&S branding.
Back at Wrexham, 67 014 at the rear of the train at 22:35 at platform 2.
This is how the area of the bay platforms at Wrexham looked, about
ready for use as a depot on April 26, now with new lighting, and
thankfully no light pollution.
Wrexham and Shropshire - notes for travellers
From discussions elsewhere, we note that the carriage of bicycles is
not permitted on WSMR trains at present - understandably, as the
current temporary trains do not have any coaches with 'brake' sections.
Mk 3 coaches were designed to work with Driving Van Trailers, and
WSMR's 'own' trains when delivered will include one of these so that
they can be powered by just a single Class 67.
The Wrexham and Shropshire website now features on-line booking, for
Wrexham and Shropshire tickets only, and only for journeys to or from
London. The advance purchase fares are quite tempting, especially the
first class fares for as little as £55 each way from Wrexham,
which, it should be remembered, includes the price of a meal served (on
real china) at your seat. Undefined is exactly what journeys this food
offer applies to: presumably one cannot buy a first class ticket from
Wrexham to Shrewsbury and wolf down a full meal?
Thanks also to
Kevon Driscoll
who writes: 'I emailed WSMR regarding the availability of Freedom of
Wales on their trains between Wrexham and Shrewsbury, and they replied
that all Rover and
Ranger tickets are accepted (within the relevant areas of
course).'
