Virgin Trains to the Rescue for Stranded WSMR Passengers

LONDON, January 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Trains has today confirmed that it will carry passengers who will be left stranded by the cancellation of all train services by open access train operator Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway (WSMR).

The announcement comes as German State Railway-backed WSMR said that it will cease operations at the end of this week. The last day of operations will be Friday 28 January 2011.

Passengers who have bought WSMR tickets will be able to use them on Virgin Trains between Chester and London, including the direct train each day between Wrexham and London, as well as trains on the Wolverhampton-London Euston route which also serve Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International stations.

Virgin Trains' Chief Operating Officer Chris Gibb said: "The withdrawal of WSMR services is devastating for those passengers who have already made travel plans and are now stranded. WSMR's collapse is also bad news for UK railways where passengers want to be able to plan travel with confidence. We hope that by offering them an alternative means that they will be able to travel stress free and will not have to cancel plans to visit their families and loved ones, or for business."

Chris Gibb also confirmed that Virgin Trains remains committed to Wrexham and will continue to run the current Monday to Friday direct service to London leaving at 07:00 and arriving in London at 09:38) and the return service which leaves London Euston at 18:10 and arrives Wrexham at 20:38.

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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.

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Virgin Trains has been recognised in numerous industry awards. In 2010 the company has been named Best Rail Operator of the Year at the Travel Globe Awards (voted for by readers of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and Evening Standard), and Best Rail Operator in the Group Leisure Awards (which we also won in 2009). In 2009 we were also voted Best UK Domestic Train Service by Business Traveller magazine for the second year running. Virgin Trains first achieved Investors In People accreditation in 2007and this was renewed in 2010; the IiP Gold award was achieved in 2011.