Virgin bosses pleased with passenger figures on Shropshire to London rail link
Virgin today said it was "encouraged" by passenger numbers on the two-month anniversary of the new direct rail link between Shropshire and London.
It took years of campaigning and a petition signed by thousands of residents and community leaders to get the Shrewsbury to London Euston rail service reinstated.
Rail bosses said today that the service was proving to be a "success" so far, but said it was too soon to give detailed figures.
Richard Stanton of Virgin Trains, said: "Valentine's Day just happens to be the new service's two month anniversary. It is still early days but the signs are positive."
Hundreds have already flocked to the capital since The Wrekin Giant, as named by Shropshire Star reader Toni Williams, made the inaugural journey at 3.24pm on Sunday, December 14.
Virgin Trains boss Sir Richard Branson even released a video in which he said he could not be more excited to introduce a new audience to all Shropshire had to offer.
He said it would not have been possible without the 3,000 people who signed the Shropshire Star's petition to get the service reinstated, which was presented in Parliament by Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski and raised on Prime Minister's Question Time.
The service's normal timetable is two services in each direction on a weekday, departing Shrewsbury at 6.39am and 3.24pm, with arrival times in Euston at 9.15am and 5.56pm.
The services will call at Telford, Wellington, Wolverhampton, Birmingham New Street, Birmingham International, Coventry and Rugby.
Services back to Shropshire leave Euston at 10.23am and 6.23pm, arriving in Shrewsbury at 12.58pm and 8.55pm respectively.
The last direct service to London by the Wrexham Shropshire Railway Company closed after running-up a loss of nearly £3 million in its final year of operation.
The axing of the former link to London has cost the county millions of pounds in trade and lost investment.
Mr Stanton said it was an exciting time for everyone involved.
"It's perhaps been a long time coming but we've had overwhelming support from the public.
"It's great we've got this train up and running again and we are looking forward to welcoming even more people on board. It is great for getting people into London but it will also bring plenty of people here to Shropshire."
