WSMR to finish

[Dampflok]

I got a message from one of my contacts at WSMR just before 23:00, 25th January, to say that the company has folded and that the last train will run on Friday 28th January, possibly the 18:30 from Marylebone.

I don't know what has happened, maybe DB has pulled the operation, presumably further information will be available later today. The W&S website is still up, but there is a "test" news message dated the 25th January, so maybe that will go live later today.

Whatever the reason, it is very sad news, as the railway was one of the best around for many years and its workforce a wonderful bunch of people, who presumably are now out of their jobs. I, and I'm sure many others, feel deeply for them as they've done a great job. Let's hope their talents can be recognised elsewhere within the railway industry.

Whether Chiltern will take on any of the crews and take over any running of the trains remains to be seen.

Thanks for trying and commiserations to all at WSMR...

Sadly, Geoff

 

[Matt Taylor]

Very sad news if true, looks like there is a public announcement in the morning.

 

[Ticket Man]

That is bad news, never had the chance to ride with WSMR, if it turns out to be true, ill defo be making a trip on them this week!

 

[anthony263]

Luckily i had a trip on them shortly before christmas. The main problem i think for them was the cost, especially since they were using loco hauled stock. maybe they would have been better using class 168's

 

[ainsworth74]

Sad but not unexpected if true. Hope the staff can find employment elsewhere soon.

 

[RichW1]

Gutting. The only way to get to Shrewsbury profitably looks like through the centre of Birmingham. Very sad.

 

[Crossover]

Rumors are rife at the moment - there have been a number of comments on the Facebook page too - we will have to see what morning brings, but echoing others views, it will be sad to see the end of them.

I did get a journey on them from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton a couple of years ago, before the coaching stock was refurbed, and it was a pleasant journey (compared to ATW 158 (hock or LM on the line)

 

[Skip 10]

its true.

 

[Ticket Man]

its true.

how so?

 

[anthony263]

Rumors are rife at the moment - there have been a number of comments on the Facebook page too - we will have to see what morning brings, but echoing others views, it will be sad to see the end of them.

I did get a journey on them from Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton a couple of years ago, before the coaching stock was refurbed, and it was a pleasant journey (compared to ATW 158 (hock or LM on the line)

its a pity that wrexham & shropshire were not allowed to pick up at wolverhampton etc as this may have brought more money into the business

 

[RPM]

Painful, disappointing and depressing news, but from what I can gather at this ungodly time of the morning, it seems to be true.

 

[Skip 10]

how so?

As im now looking for a job thats "how so"!!!

 

[mindfeeder]

Absolute shame! Went on WSMR in 2009 and it was excellent. Great food too.

 

[RichW1]

Well, welcome to the unfortunate club Skip10 I wish you all the luck inthe world as that news is just gutting; really gutting.

 

[TDK]

Sad but not unexpected if true. Hope the staff can find employment elsewhere soon.

60 staff to find employment! hopefully yes, relaistically maybe some dissapointment

 

[Skip 10]

Well, welcome to the unfortunate club Skip10 I wish you all the luck inthe world as that news is just gutting; really gutting.

Thanks for that fella. it could be worse for me there are people there, who both the bread winners are WSMR employee's

 

[Max]

Very sad news, a real blow for passengers. Unlike many TOCs, Wrexham and Shropshire actually seemed to care about customers with their excellent service, catering and immaculate trains, something which seems to have fallen rather out of fashion on the railways thesedays. I wish all the staff luck in finding alternative work, I realise it must be a difficult time for you all.

 

[anthony263]

I wish the staff who have worked so hard to try and make this a sucessful venture good luck and hope they can find new employment.

sahme really that this has happened as i would say in my opinion that wrexham & shropshire are the best rail operator in the uk , most of which is again down to the members of staff who i cannot praise enough.

 

[EWS 58038]

I remember that ATW wanted to run a service to Marylebone last year... (using a 158)

I think that if they file a request to the ORR they might have a good chance to get the service up and running this summer.

 

[Safety365]

This is really rotten news. Commiserations to all involved with WSMR.

 

[fgwrich]

Commiserations to all involved, Wrexham was one of the few TOC’s I was looking forward to travelling on – and the few times i've met some of the staff at Marylebone – When either waiting for friends or just having a look around, you were always some of the few worth talking too… Very sorry to hear about this indeed!

If it’s any consolation, good luck if you can find any jobs out there – I know it’s difficult enough as it is, but at least you’ve got a fair amount of experience…

 

[W-on-Sea]

A great pity - WSMR were in a different class to, well, all the other operators in fact.
(I can't help thinking....would allowing their trains to run on sensible paths that didn't dawdle endlessly around the W Mids have made the difference? It certainly couldn't have done any harm. But open access operators are seemingly bottom of the pile when it comes to such things...)

Thanks to all those who made it what it was, and I hope that new employment will rapidly beckon to all those who will be laid off.

 

[duffman82]

Terrible news, At least i got to travel on this superb service before they cut it, it will sadly be missed

 

[Intermodal]

So what now happens to advance ticket holders?

 

[Aictos]

Bloody good job I used them about 2 years ago then! Shame as it really made a big difference to the railway industry and also to the good people of the route of which it served.

 

[wensley]

A shame to see a good and innovative service lost. Most importantly it is a real shame that so many jobs will be lost when the company ceases to be All the best to all the staff at WSMR - a top job since services began

 

[Oliver]

A shame to see a good and innovative service lost. Most importantly it is a real shame that so many jobs will be lost when the company ceases to be All the best to all the staff at WSMR - a top job since services began

Yes, it's a great shame. Look at their website: http://www.wrexhamandshropshire.co.uk/

Scroll down to "In the News". There is a dummy release dated 25th Jan. Looks like they're about to issue a statement.

 

[sprinterguy]

:cry::cry: That's terrible news. Farewell to my favourite train operator, they really managed to set a standard way above the norm, it's so sad that things haven't worked out for them. I'm glad I had the opportunity to travel on their trains so often, I was just starting to think about my next trip with W&S: I suppose it won't happen now :cry:

My condolances to the 60 staff who have been made redundant. Good luck with the job search at this difficult time.

 

[wensley]

1P01 delayed this morning "due to a member of the train crew being unavailable". This service will apparently start from Leamington Spa, and has not called at Wrexham, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Telford, Cosford and Tame Bridge Parkway.

 

[Failed Unit]

My sympathy to everyone involved. I suspect that the gods decided that using the stock was more profitable on Chiltern and WAG services (when the 2nd one starts). It is a pity because they were so close to getting away from the moderation of competition.