Goodbye Avanti, as WSMR prepares to submit application to ORR for Shrewsbury to London service
A senior rail industry source has told Chime Whistle Publishing that it’s “no surprise” the one train a day Avanti service between Shrewsbury and London Euston is being scrapped. The source said “It makes little sense for Avanti to have 60 Wolverhampton based drivers all passed out on the Shrewsbury route for the sake of one return trip a day” and, ahead of its formal application, that the DfT has given its “full support” to open access operator Wrexham Shropshire and Midlands Railway – something that it has never done to any other open access operator – to start a Wrexham to London Euston service.
If the ORR grants permission for WSMR to start operating services, it is envisaged that services will commence in June 2025, possibly using displaced Avanti Voyagers or EMR Meridians – as these are capable of achieving the necessary speeds demanded for West Coast Main Line operation.
Operating five trains a day, the route taken will be Wrexham – Shrewsbury – Darleston – Walsall – Sutton Park line – Coleshill Parkway – Nuneaton – London Euston.
While Avanti didn't reply to questions regarding its Shrewsbury to London services, West Midlands Railway was more forthcoming, telling Chime Whistle Publishing that from June 2024 a new semi-fast Birmingham to Shrewsbury service will be launched – travelling via the Stour Valley route. The existing West Midlands Railway Birmingham to Shrewsbury service will continue to run, but be diverted via Bescot and will eventually serve the new stations at Darleston and Willenhall.
The semi-fast service will run once an hour in the opposite half hour to Transport for Wales Birmingham International – Shrewsbury – Wales service. The stopping service will also run once an hour, giving three trains an hour in total between Birmingham and Shrewsbury from June.
All good material for upcoming book 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Train to the Midlands' Very few unreserved copies remaining!
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Where the Wrexham and Shropshire dream all started. Toton depot paint shop in April 2008 – as 67012 is prepared for painting: