Wrexham set to join Virgin Trains network

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Wednesday, 20, Feb 2008 12:00

Virgin Trains' Chief Operating Officer Chris Gibb last night (February 19) announced that Wrexham will join the Virgin Trains network later this year.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the All-Party Rail in Wales Parliamentary Group, held at the House of Commons, Chris Gibb confirmed plans to run the Wrexham-London Euston service from December, 2008, subject to the completion of the West Coast Route Modernisation work.

The Virgin Trains service will run on Mondays-Fridays with a departure around 0700 from Wrexham. The return journey will leave London at 1810. Journey time between Wrexham and London will be around two-and-a half-hours.

The service is being introduced on a trial basis, and more services on weekdays and weekends have not been ruled out if it is successful.

Chris Gibb added: "The service would be operated by modified Super Voyager trains, with a first class service which is comparable to that provided on our Pendolino trains." He added; "The Wrexham trains will run at 125mph with tilt operational over the West Coast Main Line between Crewe and London..

Plans to introduce the through service have been welcomed by Wrexham MP Ian Lucas who said: "This is a tremendous vote of confidence in Wrexham".

The operation of this through train has been made possible through the allocation of a fleet of diesel Super Voyager trains to Virgin Trains, which will be used on the new hourly London to Chester service. The Wrexham train will be an extension of one of the Chester services.

Chris Gibb, as Managing Director of the Wales & Borders train operator, prior to joining Virgin in 2003, was responsible for reintroducing direct trains between Wrexham and Cardiff in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government. He is particularly pleased that he is now able to add London to the capital cities served direct from Wrexham, and looks forward to again

providing a service to the people of Wrexham.

For further media information contact the Virgin Trains Press Office on 0845 000 3333, or visit our media website at www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com.

Notes to Editors

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Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group. We have operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997; the current franchise runs to March 2012.

Virgin Rail Group is owned 51 percent by Virgin Group and 49 percent by Stagecoach

Virgin Trains has recently been listed as the Best Train Operator in a survey by the Institute of Customer Service; came joint top of the long-distance train operators for passenger satisfaction in the National Passenger Survey and has been voted Best Rail Company by Travel Weekly magazine