Wrexham & Shropshire diversions on the West Coast Main Line and via Ealing Broadway and Greenford?

[Spursglory]

When Wrexham & Shropshire services were diverted on the West Coast Main Line, what were all the destinations it passed through with the journey times), and how long did the journey take to and from London Marylebone and Wrexham?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Which section(s) of the West Coast mainline? Was this a temporary diversion due to engineering works?

I can only recall Wrexham & Shropshire services, ex-Marylebone, normally calling only at Banbury, Leamington Spa, Tame Bridge, Wolverhampton (pick up only Northbound), Cosford, Telford, Wellington (evenings only), Shrewsbury, Gobowen, Chirk (evenings only), Ruabon (evenings only) and Wrexham. Journey time around 4 hours.

 

[Dr Hoo]

I did a diversion for engineering works once. Left Marylebone, 'pull-back' round the curve at Neasden to Acton Wells, reverse again then out onto the WCML near Harlesden and 'fast' to Tame Bridge Parkway via Stechford-Aston. Didn't seem to take a huge amount longer than it normally took.

 

[JonathanH]

I did a diversion for engineering works once. Left Marylebone, 'pull-back' round the curve at Neasden to Acton Wells, reverse again then out onto the WCML near Harlesden and 'fast' to Tame Bridge Parkway via Stechford-Aston. Didn't seem to take a huge amount longer than it normally took.

Yes, that is the one - 13 November 2010 (and perhaps other dates) - ran via Weedon so able to run at some speed relative to going through High Wycombe and Leamington Spa. (No extra station calls as a result.)

If it really helps the OP, I travelled from Wellington to Marylebone on the 18:21 departure which arrived fifteen minutes late at 21:42.

 

[pdeaves]

Yes, that is the one - 13 November 2010 (and perhaps other dates) - ran via Weedon so able to run at some speed relative to going through High Wycombe and Leamington Spa. (No extra station calls as a result.)

If it really helps the OP, I travelled from Wellington to Marylebone on the 18:21 departure which arrived fifteen minutes late at 21:42.

My route summary (very much a summary!) for 23 January 2010 has (Tame Bridge Parkway)/Weedon/Wembley/Acton Wells Jn/Greenford West/Ruislip Gardens (reverse)/Wembley Stadium/Marylebone, if that helps.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Have managed to dig out the amended timetable for Southbound services on Sunday 24th January 2010.

As follows...

Departed Wrexham General at 10:47, 13:11 and 17:02.

Called at Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Wellington, Telford, Cosford and Wolverhampton (set down only). Not much change to the regular Sunday timetable at these stations.

Final call at Tame Bridge Parkway at 12:26, 14:55 and 18:54.

Diverted via WCML (as far South as Willesden (?)) and so didn't call at either Leamington Spa or Banbury.

Arrived Marylebone at 14:52, 17:53 and 21:44.

(Normally would have been 14:36, 17:08 and 21:06 arrivals at Marylebone if routed via Leamington Spa/Banbury, as per the public timetable effective Sunday 13th December 2009).

Hope that helps.

Sorry, don't have the equivalent Northbound amended times.

 

[Dr_Paul]

I did a diversion for engineering works once. Left Marylebone, 'pull-back' round the curve at Neasden to Acton Wells, reverse again then out onto the WCML near Harlesden and 'fast' to Tame Bridge Parkway via Stechford-Aston. Didn't seem to take a huge amount longer than it normally took.

Would there be many drivers on the Marylebone > Wrexham run who would know the road via the WCML?

 

[JonathanH]

Would there be many drivers on the Marylebone > Wrexham run who would know the road via the WCML?

In order to divert three trains I imagine alternative drivers or route conductors can be found. There wasn't exactly a high contingent of Wrexham & Shropshire employees in the first place.

 

[150219]

In order to divert three trains I imagine alternative drivers or route conductors can be found. There wasn't exactly a high contingent of Wrexham & Shropshire employees in the first place.

Well you'd probably be surprised. The majority of the WSMR train crew had an extensive route knowledge, which was especially helpful when contingency arrangements needed to be put in. A lot of effort was put in to ensure that the staff and the traction had as much route knowledge/clearance as possible. IIRC the only route that required a bit more in depth planning was to/from Eastleigh.

 

[westcoaster]

Did any go via Birmingham new street, I seem to recall seeing one in the doom and gloom(north end).

 

[Dr Hoo]

Did any go via Birmingham new street, I seem to recall seeing one in the doom and gloom(north end).

I went through New Street on a normal WSMR service (not a diversion). This (plus the Soho Loop) was an alternative to Stechford-Aston on the way to Tame Bridge Parkway.

 

[rogercov]

Yes, the normal service would use both routes. Some went Solihull, Birmingham New Street, Soho and others went Coventry, Stechford, Aston.
The trouble was that in those days we didn't have Realtimetrains (or I didn't know about it), so I never knew in advance which way it would go.