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Wrexham & Shropshire facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Wrexham & Shropshire
A First Refurbished Train Launch.JPG
Franchise(s): Open access operator
Not subject to franchising
28 April 2008 – 28 January 2011
Main route(s): Wrexham - Shrewsbury - Wellington - Tame Bridge - London Marylebone
Other route(s): None
Fleet size: 5 Class 67 Locomotives

16 Mark 3 Carriages

5 Driving Van Trailers
Stations called at: 12 (Also called at Wembley Stadium during events)
National Rail abbreviation: WS
Parent company: Arriva
Web site: www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk

Wrexham & Shropshire (also known as WSMR) was a special train company in the United Kingdom. Its full name was the Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway Company. This company ran passenger trains from Wrexham through Shropshire all the way to London. They started their train services on April 28, 2008. Sadly, the company stopped running trains on January 28, 2011.

About Wrexham & Shropshire Trains

Wrexham & Shropshire was an open-access train operator. This means they could run trains on the railway lines without needing a special government contract. They had an agreement to run trains for seven years.

The Train Route

  • The trains started in Wrexham, a town in Wales.
  • They traveled through Shropshire, a county in England.
  • Key stops included Shrewsbury, Wellington, and Tame Bridge.
  • The journey ended in London at Marylebone Station.
  • In total, the trains stopped at 12 different stations.
  • Sometimes, they even stopped at Wembley Stadium when there were big events.

The Train Fleet

The company used specific types of trains for their services:

  • They had 5 Class 67 locomotives. These are powerful engines that pull the carriages.
  • There were 16 Mark 3 carriages. These are the passenger cars where people sit.
  • They also used 5 Driving Van Trailers (DVTs). A DVT is a special carriage that allows the driver to control the train from the other end, without needing to turn the whole train around.

Why Wrexham & Shropshire Was Special

Wrexham & Shropshire was unique because it offered direct train services from Wrexham to London. This was a new and helpful connection for many people. The company was owned by Arriva UK Trains, which is part of a larger transport group.

When Services Ended

Even though they had a seven-year agreement, Wrexham & Shropshire stopped running trains early. Their last service was on January 28, 2011.

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