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Palin’s praise for railway
Tuesday 19th January 2010, 8:00PM GMT.
Michael Palin cuts the ribbon on the new Wrexham and Shropshire train
Railways rarely get accolades these days, but that’s because not enough people have sampled the delights of Wrexham & Shropshire, writes Michael Palin.
It may not be very convenient if you live in Manchester or Edinburgh but I’m afraid that’s your loss. After a return rail trip to Shrewsbury last month I would advise you to move to Shropshire right away. The trains are short, but that means the staff have more time for you. Do you know of anywhere else on today’s railway where you’d hear the words “I’ll show you to your seat”?
See also: Palin relaunches rail fleet
And that’s only the start of the Wrexham & Shropshire experience. The service is friendly, unrushed and genuinely concerned with your comfort.
As it was, I had no complaints, but I know that if I had, they would have been taken very seriously. Everyone on board seems to enjoy delivering a service dedicated to raising, not lowering standards.
The route is interesting too. Leaving Marylebone – London’s most laid back and attractive main-line station – the train rolls north through John Betjeman’s Metroland and once into Oxfordshire, through long stretches of countryside.
For an hour or more you could be forgiven for thinking that the Industrial Revolution never happened. Then, as if emerging from some economic time warp, you’re suddenly in the heartland of the industrial West Midlands. Wrexham & Shropshire doesn’t have much time for Coventry or Birmingham International, both of which it sails through. The first big city it serves is Wolverhampton – lucky Wolverhamptoners.
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This echoes very much my experience – not the fastest, not the most expensive, but certainly the most enjoyable
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I used the train today to do a return to London for business. I used to drive to Stafford. Despite tsking longer it’s a very different experience even in standard class – takes me back to being a kid!! I saw Michael Palin at Marylebone having his picture taken next to the train. Other trains are faster but much much more expensive and not as friendly and civilised to travel on – there was even a lecture you could listen to this morning – well done Wrexham & Shrops – PROUD!!
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Completely agree. As someone who works near Euston, my monthly visits back home to Wellington are generally done on the Virgin route, but if I’m not in quite such a hurry the W&S service is much preferable. I ordered a sandwich once and was told it would be brought to my seat – the service in every way is fantastic.
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thank god for wrexham and shropshire. Great article.
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Last year my wife travelled home from London on The W & S.The train terminated at Wolverhampton due to a major problem in the Wellington area.I collected my Wife from the station.Some weeks later we wrote to W & S HQ in Shrewsbury explaining the night s problems.We werelater rewarded with a free return to London.
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I used it for a day trip to The Smoke earlier this month. It is slower than the Virgin service from Stafford but it’s more accessible and massively cheaper. Moreover, it is a thoroughly enjoyable service and I cannot recommend it enough.
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A wonderdful service. Cheap and if you leave Telford at 6.09am you are in Marylebone just before 9am.
Nice if the early service stopped at Wellington, but we can’t have everything!
Incidentally, the bacon baps are freshly cooked and are delicious.
Real ale for later in the day, so you are in for a treat.
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I’m a huge fan of W&S. I use the service for business and pleasure. Really looking forward to the new rolling-stock. Their customer service is superior to any other network, and even when things go drastically wrong, the staff on board and those back at the office make amends. I just wish there were more services each day. I genuinely do hope that the company have a long and successful future.
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I was lucky enough to experience the W&S service on their second day, well before they took delivery of the new(er) carriages. I enjoyed a lovely full English served on china crockery with proper cutlery. The journey took three hours, which was a pity as I would have preferred four!
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I’ve only travelled on it once: to get from Telford to the Cosford Air Show. But I was hugely impressed. Very comfortable, and pulled by a unit rarely seen these days.
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Absolutely; it’s a great train company. It makes taking the train at Christmas to visit relatives a positive pleasure.
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people who like the idea of trains and green travel and want to put this town on the map and support the economy must practice what they preach and buy train tickets from Wrexham et al, this is a great compnay and we must back it
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Isn’t it nice to hear something so positive about trains for a change. Well done W & S.
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A colleague of mine based in the US is visiting Telford in March and will be travelling to Shropshire from London. I have sent the link of this artical to her…to ensure that this is the chosen train company. Even sent the link to the W and S web site for the timetable!
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