The Anonymous Widower

Have Alstom Given Up On Their Euston And Wrexham Open Access Service?

I last wrote about this planned service in Direct London Trains ‘Could Start In 2026’.

But, as I wrote in Network Rail Objects To Wrexham To London Service, Network Rail had objected.

I asked Google AI, the question in the title of this post and received this reply.

No, Alstom has not given up on the Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) open-access project.

After the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) rejected their initial application in July 2025 due to capacity and congestion concerns on the network, WSMR resubmitted a revised bid in late November / December 2025.

Key Updates on the Resubmitted Bid

Reduced Services: The revised plan trimmed the proposed frequency from five daily return trips down to three guaranteed daily returns (with an option for a fourth).

Route Adjustments: The new application added a stop at Wellington (Shropshire) and sought to utilize newly available or spare capacity paths.

Timeline: A decision from the rail regulator (ORR) was anticipated in Spring 2026, with hopes for the service to launch towards the end of 2026.

The Route

The map downloaded from a BBC article, which is entitled Direct London trains ‘could start in 2026’ shows the route.

Note.

1. There are now ten intermediate stops.
2. Wellington and Darlaston have been added between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.
3. Euston and Wolverhampton is 124.9 miles and fully electrified.
4. Wolverhampton and Wrexham General is 59.9 miles and is not electrified.
5. The section of the route without electrification is 120 miles return, which could be too far for battery-electric trains.

But I believe that the battery-electric trains, that TransPennine Express have ordered from Alstom could handle the route with charging at Wrexham General station.

September 20, 2026 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Alstom, Battery-Electric Trains, Coleshill Parkway Station, Darlaston Station, Gobowen Station, Nuneaton Station, Open Access Operators, Shrewsbury Station, Telford Central Station, TransPennine Express, Walsall Station, Wellington (Shropshire) Station, Wolverhampton Station, Wrexham, Wrexham General Station, Wrexham Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR)