Demise of a Great Railway Experience

[eholly]

Yesterday, 26 January 2011, I experienced first-hand, the ending of a 99% customer-approved railway service!

Booked to leave Wrexham General for London Marylebone first-class at 05.10 hrs, we were greeted by shell-shocked staff, who informed us that the service would not leave. They had been informed the day before – some via Facebook – that the company, Wrexham & Shropshire Railway, would cease trading on Friday 28th January. The Train Managers booked to work the 05.10, had decided to stay in bed rather than work the train to London.

We returned home to Cymau, but after consultation decided to catch the 07.23 service instead. This was a good decision as the experience was superb – as was the return from Marylebone at 16.30 hrs.

The meals were first-class; the service impeccable and the Train Managers - although very sad, were efficient, good natured and extremely courteous.

This service at Standard class level was better, in my opinion, than first-class on either Virgin or Arriva Trains.

We have lost a treasure of a railway service and questions must be asked at Government level as to the how’s and why’s of Deutsche Bahn, the owners, being allowed to play fast and loose with 50 jobs and ending a service beloved by those who use it regularly?

Eric Hollingsworth - North Wales

[davejc64]

Isn't there already a thread about this subject?

[AlistairW]

We have lost a treasure of a railway service and questions must be asked at Government level as to the how’s and why’s of Deutsche Bahn, the owners, being allowed to play fast and loose with 50 jobs and ending a service beloved by those who use it regularly?

It was reported that W&S made a £2m loss last year so that is probably why DB pulled the plug. Perhaps if they had a smaller owning company they may have held on a bit longer, perhaps not. To turn a £2m loss into a profit would have required an extra £5,500 in revenue per day or 100 passengers paying £50 each.

Ali

[wolly1380]

Still sad non the less and another question that needs to be asked is why only when DB took over DB is by far big enough to handle and turn around a 2 milion loss...

[plewsy2105]

true but my guess is that they did not believe things would improve money wise and that the company would be a drain on DB's funds.

plewsy2105

[wolly1380]

They have a pittion sign it and give them there much respected service back.
http://www.petitionbuzz.com/petitions/w ... shropshire

[oldrocker]

Done that and passed it on.