Key Rail Route To London Scrapped A Year Ago Could Return – Here’s Why
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on the Shropshire Star.
This is the sub-heading.
A key railway line to London that was scrapped a year ago, could be set for a return.
This is said in the article.
South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson is among those who has thrown his support behind plans to restore direct rail services to London, after Avanti ceased to operate the route almost a year ago in June 2024.
On March 12, Mr Anderson met with Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) who have developed the plans.
If their application is approved, it would see the return of direct services between Wrexham and London via Shropshire. WSMR, the aspirant open access operator, plans to deliver five daily train services between the county and capital city.
It’s only sketchy information and given the Government’s lukewarm support for open access services, I don’t hold out much hope, especially as Stuart Anderson is a Conservative MP.
The Anonymous Widower 
To be honest, this request has little chance of success even if the open access request is approved. 2 previous operators have failed to make it work, using 2 different routes.
Comment by thelordbruton | May 7, 2025 |
You make a very valid point.
Recently, I made a trip between Cardiff and Paddington and for whatever reason, GWR apologised and ran the service with an eight or possibly a twelve car Class 387 train.
The train performed remarkably well and no-one seemed to be complaining.
The Class 387 trains are 110 mph units, so they could mix it on the West Coast Main Line with the Pendelinos, as the London North Western 110 mph electrics have done for years.
The Class 379 train is almost identical to the Class 387 train and one was modified in the past to be an impressive battery-electric train.
Wolverhampton to Wrexham is almost spot on 60 miles with Shrewsbury virtually exactly half-way.
If short lengths of overhead wires were erected at Shrewsbury and Wrexham for charging the batteries, a battery-electric train with a range of just 40 miles would be able to handle the route.
Alstom surely have access to all the technology, but they could apply it to either some of the Class 387s that are going spare or perhaps some new build Aventras.
There is also the thoughts of what happened to the 125 mph and hydrogen Aventras, which were announced by Bombardier and/or Alstom.
A 125 mph Aventra, that could also run on hydrogen for 120 miles would also handle the route.
Alstom has a lot of options for rolling stock, that are better than diesel at attracting passengers to the route.
Comment by AnonW | May 7, 2025 |