I was on a day trip from London to Wrexham on Monday.
This is a new servive operated by the Wrexham and Shropshire Railway, who have identified a gap in the market not served by traditional train companies. The service serves Tame Bridge Parkway (for Walsall and Birmingham), Shrewsbury and stations north to Wrexham.
The less said about my northbound journey the better, as the train was cancelled. But I thought I would report on my journey home, as I believe that this company will be great.
The price of a First Advance ticket from Wrexham to London is 55.00 and this includes a two course meal, with tea and coffee.
After a day in Chester, it was time for the train home:
The 1810 W&S to London was two coaches - a big engine, a standard class coach,with the other coach being First Class/Buffet area, and then another big engine.
Wrexham General station is attractive, but the platforms felt very
cold and exposed.
The first class seats remind me of Virgin before the Pendolinos arrived. Perhaps the same coaches?
The staff were friendly, very pleasant indeed. We were the only two
First Class passengers and Standard Class was very lightly loaded - I
didn't recall any passengers boarding at intermediate stations.
We still got the full meal service though: a two course meal, which I supplemented with a dessert and a bottle of Chablis (15)
The crockery: plain white - which I like, and big, so a cuppa was more like two cups on other services. Excellent.
Coffees were served in individual pots...
The starter I picked was pate with toast and salad. My camera has managed to make this look very unappetising! But it was really tasty.
For my main course I had the sausages with onion gravy and mash. Again, a very generous portion - this was a proper meal. Notice that as the Chablis goes down the pictures get shakier...
And a vanilla cheesecake with fresh cream...
The actual carriage looked a bit tired, and the heating was on full so by London it was quite uncomfortable, but by now it didn't matter as I was feeling very happy with the service and food provided. And the drink...
Refurbished trains will be introduced soon. Interestingly, since W&S started, Virgin Trains have decided to start running a service from Wrexham and the service is being considered by... erm, whoever it is in railways that decides such things.
This is a new servive operated by the Wrexham and Shropshire Railway, who have identified a gap in the market not served by traditional train companies. The service serves Tame Bridge Parkway (for Walsall and Birmingham), Shrewsbury and stations north to Wrexham.
The less said about my northbound journey the better, as the train was cancelled. But I thought I would report on my journey home, as I believe that this company will be great.
The price of a First Advance ticket from Wrexham to London is 55.00 and this includes a two course meal, with tea and coffee.
After a day in Chester, it was time for the train home:
The 1810 W&S to London was two coaches - a big engine, a standard class coach,with the other coach being First Class/Buffet area, and then another big engine.
Wrexham General station is attractive, but the platforms felt very
cold and exposed.
The first class seats remind me of Virgin before the Pendolinos arrived. Perhaps the same coaches?
The staff were friendly, very pleasant indeed. We were the only two
First Class passengers and Standard Class was very lightly loaded - I
didn't recall any passengers boarding at intermediate stations.
We still got the full meal service though: a two course meal, which I supplemented with a dessert and a bottle of Chablis (15)
The crockery: plain white - which I like, and big, so a cuppa was more like two cups on other services. Excellent.
Coffees were served in individual pots...
The starter I picked was pate with toast and salad. My camera has managed to make this look very unappetising! But it was really tasty.
For my main course I had the sausages with onion gravy and mash. Again, a very generous portion - this was a proper meal. Notice that as the Chablis goes down the pictures get shakier...
And a vanilla cheesecake with fresh cream...
The actual carriage looked a bit tired, and the heating was on full so by London it was quite uncomfortable, but by now it didn't matter as I was feeling very happy with the service and food provided. And the drink...
Refurbished trains will be introduced soon. Interestingly, since W&S started, Virgin Trains have decided to start running a service from Wrexham and the service is being considered by... erm, whoever it is in railways that decides such things.
