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.
- There are now ten intermediate stops.
- Wellington and Darlaston have been added between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury.
- Euston and Wolverhampton is 124.9 miles and fully electrified.
- Wolverhampton and Wrexham General is 59.9 miles and is not electrified.
- 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.
I have some further thoughts.
Hydrogen Is Now Not Proposed
In Direct London Trains ‘Could Start In 2026’, I felt that Alstom might use hydrogen trains.
But now that TransPennine Express have ordered Alstom battery-electric trains and the route could be ideal for them, it would seem sensible to use them.
Providing charging at Wrexham General station would probably be easier than providing hydrogen refuelling.
Could Euston and Wrexham General Be A Test Route For The Adessia Battery-Electric Train In The UK?
I asked Google AI and received this reply.
Yes, London Euston and Wrexham General could serve as an ideal test route for Alstom’s Adessia battery-electric train platform.
Route Characteristics and Viability
Electrified Section: The journey from London Euston to Wolverhampton covers roughly 124.9 miles on fully electrified lines.
Uncertified / Non-Electrified Section: The remaining 59.9 miles from Wolverhampton to Wrexham General lacks overhead electrification (via Shrewsbury).
Battery Range Demands: Operating this run requires a battery-electric range capability of roughly 60 miles in each direction beyond the wires, or a charging strategy implemented at Wrexham General station.
Proposed Operations: Wrexham Shropshire and Midlands Railway (WSMR) announced plans to work with Alstom to introduce a bi-mode battery-electric fleet from the Adessia family if their open-access operations are approved.
This is the first time, that I’ve seen linkage between Alstom’s open access operation and development of a bi-mode battery-electric fleet.
Will Wrexham Shropshire and Midlands Railway’s Adessia Trains Be 110 mph Trains?
This would make them compatible with the TransPennine Express trains.
But they will be sharing the West Coast Main Line with 125 mph Class 390, Class 805 and Class 807 trains.
I wonder, if for ease of operation, that the trains will be 125 mph units.
WSMR Resubmits Formal Application To The ORR
The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway.
These three paragraphs give full details of the application.
Wrexham, Shropshire and Midlands Railway is committed to delivering the connectivity that communities across Wales and England need and deserve. Our resubmitted application reflects stakeholder feedback and demonstrates how we’ve listened to MPs and regional partners who urged us to reapply.
This application differs from our previous submission, which includes us requesting fewer train paths and offering an additional stop at Wellington, enhancing connectivity for people in Shropshire. Furthermore, by making better use of available capacity – including paths that have been released and remain unused – we aim to strengthen regional links and support economic growth.
WSMR’s new open access service will provide faster, more convenient travel options for passengers in Wrexham, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Walsall and beyond, improving access to jobs, education and leisure opportunities. We remain committed to introducing this service for the regions we serve and delivering benefits for communities along the route.
Note.
The Anonymous Widower 