Wrexham General railway station
Encyclopedia
Wrexham General railway station is a main line railway station and the main railway station serving Wrexham
, north-east Wales
. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales
, but services are also provided by Virgin Trains
who operate a service to London Euston. Until January 2011 Wrexham & Shropshire also operated from here to London Marylebone.
The station was first opened in 1846, later becoming part of the GWR
network and expanded in 1912. It is one of three railway stations in the central area of the town, one now part of General, named Wrexham Exchange, the other being Wrexham Central
. It is the main hub for inter-city services in the area, and as a result 77.7% of all rail journeys (2006/07) in Wrexham County Borough start or end at the station. It is also a major hub for inter-city services in North Wales.
Until the early 1980s what is now platform 4 of Wrexham General, serving the Wrexham Central - Bidston service, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.
This was backed by local businessmen, among whom the developer of the steel works at Brymbo, Henry Robertson, is well known.
There have been two railway station buildings on the site: the original was built by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway in Jacobean style
with Dutch gable
pediments. The architect for that station was Mr Thomas Penson of Wrexham
, who also designed the Shrewsbury
and Gobowen
stations. It was built on the edge of Wrexham, a town which at the time was heavily industrialised and had many coal mines and steelworks to attract the railway companies.
The second station building was constructed by the GWR
in 1912. The company decided the increasing rail traffic needed newer and more efficient facilities, so the station was rebuilt to a standardised GWR 'French Pavilion' design, including ornate crestings on the roof "towers". This station design was unique in that it used stonework from the original building instead of standard red brick. It survived the Beeching cuts
of the 1960s as a through route for steel produced in Shotton and wood for the Chirk
MDF
factory.
In 1997 a wagon on an empty coal train derailed at a nearby level crossing. The train carried on for a mile into Wrexham General where the wagons scraped up the platform, damaging it and the station canopy. This prompted a massive refurbishing, including new canopies, a jetwash of the blackened sandstone buildings, and platform retiling along all main platforms. The out of use bay platform saw no improvements, and retained its 1970s lighting until 2008 when refurbished by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The suffix "General" was used by the Great Western Railway
, and later the Western Region of British Railways
to differentiate their main stations from others in the area which belonged to other companies. Following the Beeching axe
, Wrexham General remains the only "General" station on the National Rail
network, whereas other "General" stations (including Shrewsbury General
and Chester General
, which were simply re-named "Shrewsbury" and "Chester" respectively), lost the suffix or (like Cardiff General
, the last station to lose the "General" suffix) were re-dubbed as "Central" stations. Because of the continued presence of two stations serving Wrexham, the other being titled Wrexham Central
, the "General" suffix was retained.
Until 1967 Wrexham General was served by GWR, latterly BR Western Region, express services between London Paddington and Birkenhead Woodside which was withdrawn upon the electrification of the West Coast Main Line.
(WMCQR). By the time WMCQR had been bought by the Great Central Railway
, the line was a through station connecting to the Cambrian Railways
Wrexham Central Railway Station
. The station changed hands again in 1921 during the Railways Act 1921
, to the London and North Eastern Railway
, as one of their few stations in Wales.
to Holyhead
Arriva Trains Wales
service. The two hourly Birmingham New Street service has also been extended to Birmingham International
and Holyhead
.
As of January 2011 the station provides direct services to London on weekdays provided by Virgin Trains
(via Chester and Crewe
).
Wrexham and Shropshire's operational headquarters and train depot were located in the station.
Planning permission has been granted for further development at the station, to include a new cafe and taxi rank.
It was announced in November 2008 that the Welsh Assembly Government
would fund work on rail infrastructure between Wrexham
and Chester
; this would allow increased express services from north to south Wales
on this congested section of the line. This might see the currently single track section to Saltney Junction restored to double track operation, however the results of recent studies into the improvements has revealed a double track solution would be too costly as two structures crossing the A483 road are built to single track standard, and dynamic loops
are more realistic.
In June 2011, construction began on the increased access for disabled people to platform four. The existing footbridge between platforms three and four was removed in preparation for the construction of a new footbridge which would include an elevator
on Platform four. This will negate the use of the road bridge for disabled access to platform four. The new bridge will be built to modern standards but in a style sympathising with the rest of the station design.
Inter-city services operate to Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and London.
Trains run hourly to Bidston, Holyhead (via Chester) and Shrewsbury and two-hourly to Birmingham and Cardiff and on weekdays and Saturdays. There is a two-hourly service on Sundays to Chester and Birmingham and six services to Bidston.
This service ended on Friday 28 January 2011 due to a continuing loss made by the company.
At their peak Wrexham & Shropshire ran five trains per day each way Monday to Saturday and three on Sundays.
It is unclear whether further services will be introduced now the open-access operator Wrexham and Shropshire has withdrawn services.
Virgin Trains (Mon-Fri only)
line until the 1960s. They are now used for Wrexham and Shropshire services to London and overnight stabling of trains. Platforms 1 and 2 are on the main to line, platform 3 being on an island platform opposite 2; and platform 4, until the mid-1980s a separate former Great Central Railway
station named Wrexham Exchange, was on the ex-Ellesmere to Bidston line, now the Wrexham to Bidston Borderlands Line
. Platform 5, once opposite and on the same route as platform 4, became disused when the line was singled, however in 2008 it has been re-surfaced and is now a private parking space.
Merseyrail are currently in negotiations with network rail and a number of other companies to upgrade the Halton curve, a secton of the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Mainline which connects to Chester, in order to start direct services to Liverpool Lime Street via Chester and Runcorn.
AM, the Deputy First Minister for Wales
opened a new Wrexham Network Rail
depot. It consisted of the refurbishment of two terminal bay platforms to the south of the station for overnight stabling of trains and the construction of a crew depot. The development was opened to coincide with the start of services from Wrexham General to London
by Wrexham and Shropshire, who utilised the depot until services to London Marylebone stopped in January 2011.
From February 2009 a cafe has opened on the station in formerly empty office space.
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
, north-east Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales is a train operating company, owned by Arriva, that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches...
, but services are also provided by Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
who operate a service to London Euston. Until January 2011 Wrexham & Shropshire also operated from here to London Marylebone.
The station was first opened in 1846, later becoming part of the GWR
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
network and expanded in 1912. It is one of three railway stations in the central area of the town, one now part of General, named Wrexham Exchange, the other being Wrexham Central
Wrexham Central railway station
Wrexham Central railway station is the smaller of two main railway stations serving the central area of Wrexham in Wales. The platform can accommodate a three car diesel train, but has room for platform extension...
. It is the main hub for inter-city services in the area, and as a result 77.7% of all rail journeys (2006/07) in Wrexham County Borough start or end at the station. It is also a major hub for inter-city services in North Wales.
Until the early 1980s what is now platform 4 of Wrexham General, serving the Wrexham Central - Bidston service, was a separate station: Wrexham Exchange.
History
In 1846 the first steam trains began the Railway Age in Wrexham. The line was originally called The North Wales Mineral RailwayNorth Wales Mineral Railway
The North Wales Mineral Railway was constructed in 1844 during the early years of the so-called Railway Mania. It was originally intended to link Chester via Wrexham to Ruabon; there were branches to Brymbo and Minera from Wheatsheaf junction via a tunnel and inclined plane...
This was backed by local businessmen, among whom the developer of the steel works at Brymbo, Henry Robertson, is well known.
There have been two railway station buildings on the site: the original was built by the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway in Jacobean style
Jacobean architecture
The Jacobean style is the second phase of Renaissance architecture in England, following the Elizabethan style. It is named after King James I of England, with whose reign it is associated.-Characteristics:...
with Dutch gable
Gable stone
Gable stones are carved and often colourfully painted stone tablets, which are set into the walls of buildings, usually at about 4 metres from the ground. They serve both to identify and embellish the building...
pediments. The architect for that station was Mr Thomas Penson of Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
, who also designed the Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury is the county town of Shropshire, in the West Midlands region of England. Lying on the River Severn, it is a civil parish home to some 70,000 inhabitants, and is the primary settlement and headquarters of Shropshire Council...
and Gobowen
Gobowen
Gobowen is a large village in Shropshire, England, of population 3,927 .-History:The village was previously called Bryn-y-Castell, but the name in time changed to Gobowen. The name Gobowen is believed to originate from Gob and Owen who was believed to have rested his weary head there...
stations. It was built on the edge of Wrexham, a town which at the time was heavily industrialised and had many coal mines and steelworks to attract the railway companies.
The second station building was constructed by the GWR
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
in 1912. The company decided the increasing rail traffic needed newer and more efficient facilities, so the station was rebuilt to a standardised GWR 'French Pavilion' design, including ornate crestings on the roof "towers". This station design was unique in that it used stonework from the original building instead of standard red brick. It survived the Beeching cuts
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
of the 1960s as a through route for steel produced in Shotton and wood for the Chirk
Chirk
Chirk is a small town and local government community, the lowest tier of local government, part of Wrexham County Borough in Wales. It has a population of over 4,000....
MDF
Medium-density fibreboard
Medium-density fiberboard is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure...
factory.
In 1997 a wagon on an empty coal train derailed at a nearby level crossing. The train carried on for a mile into Wrexham General where the wagons scraped up the platform, damaging it and the station canopy. This prompted a massive refurbishing, including new canopies, a jetwash of the blackened sandstone buildings, and platform retiling along all main platforms. The out of use bay platform saw no improvements, and retained its 1970s lighting until 2008 when refurbished by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The suffix "General" was used by the Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
The Great Western Railway was a British railway company that linked London with the south-west and west of England and most of Wales. It was founded in 1833, received its enabling Act of Parliament in 1835 and ran its first trains in 1838...
, and later the Western Region of British Railways
Western Region of British Railways
The Western Region was a region of British Railways from 1948. The region ceased to be an operating unit in its own right in the 1980s and was wound up at the end of 1992...
to differentiate their main stations from others in the area which belonged to other companies. Following the Beeching axe
Beeching Axe
The Beeching Axe or the Beeching Cuts are informal names for the British Government's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system in the United Kingdom. The name is that of the main author of The Reshaping of British Railways, Dr Richard...
, Wrexham General remains the only "General" station on the National Rail
National Rail
National Rail is a title used by the Association of Train Operating Companies as a generic term to define the passenger rail services operated in Great Britain...
network, whereas other "General" stations (including Shrewsbury General
Shrewsbury railway station
Shrewsbury railway station is the railway station serving Shrewsbury, county town of Shropshire, England. It is the only remaining railway station in the town; Shrewsbury Abbey, as well as other small stations around the town, having long closed. The station was built in 1848 and has been extended...
and Chester General
Chester railway station
Chester railway station is a railway station in Newtown in the city of Chester, England. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales, although Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains also run services from the station. It is situated to the north-east of the city centre...
, which were simply re-named "Shrewsbury" and "Chester" respectively), lost the suffix or (like Cardiff General
Cardiff Central railway station
Cardiff Central railway station is a major railway station on the South Wales Main Line in Cardiff, Wales.It is the largest and busiest station in Wales and one of the major stations of the British rail network, the tenth busiest station in the United Kingdom outside of London , based on 2007/08...
, the last station to lose the "General" suffix) were re-dubbed as "Central" stations. Because of the continued presence of two stations serving Wrexham, the other being titled Wrexham Central
Wrexham Central railway station
Wrexham Central railway station is the smaller of two main railway stations serving the central area of Wrexham in Wales. The platform can accommodate a three car diesel train, but has room for platform extension...
, the "General" suffix was retained.
Until 1967 Wrexham General was served by GWR, latterly BR Western Region, express services between London Paddington and Birkenhead Woodside which was withdrawn upon the electrification of the West Coast Main Line.
Wrexham Exchange
Now platform four of Wrexham General, Wrexham Exchange was originally a separate railway station opened in May 1866 for the Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay RailwayWrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway
The Wrexham, Mold and Connah's Quay Railway was incorporated on 7 August 1862 to build a line from Wrexham to Buckley.-Overview:The Buckley Railway had already been incorporated on 14 June 1860 to build a line from that town to a junction with the London and North Western Railway Chester-Holyhead...
(WMCQR). By the time WMCQR had been bought by the Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
, the line was a through station connecting to the Cambrian Railways
Cambrian Railways
Cambrian Railways owned of track over a large area of mid-Wales. The system was an amalgamation of a number of railways that were incorporated in 1864, 1865 and 1904...
Wrexham Central Railway Station
Central Station
-Railway stations:A central station is generally the principal passenger railway station of major towns and cities which have multiple stations, or a station owned by a railway with "Central" in its name, such as the English Great Central Railway....
. The station changed hands again in 1921 during the Railways Act 1921
Grouping
Grouping is a form of hierarchical knowledge representation, similar to mind mapping, concept mapping and argument mapping, all of which need to observe at least some of the principles of grouping....
, to the London and North Eastern Railway
London and North Eastern Railway
The London and North Eastern Railway was the second-largest of the "Big Four" railway companies created by the Railways Act 1921 in Britain...
, as one of their few stations in Wales.
Recent developments
The station is currently undergoing a renaissance as a number of new services have been introduced. Since 2005 the station has been a stop of the two hourly CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
to Holyhead
Holyhead
Holyhead is the largest town in the county of Anglesey in the North Wales. It is also a major port adjacent to the Irish Sea serving Ireland....
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales
Arriva Trains Wales is a train operating company, owned by Arriva, that operates urban and inter urban passenger services in Wales and the Welsh Marches...
service. The two hourly Birmingham New Street service has also been extended to Birmingham International
Birmingham International railway station
Birmingham International railway station is located in the borough of Solihull, just east of the city of Birmingham in England.The station is on the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line 14 km east of Birmingham New Street and serves both Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition...
and Holyhead
Holyhead railway station
Holyhead railway station serves the town of Holyhead on Holy Island, Anglesey. It is the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line and is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, although Virgin Trains also serves it....
.
As of January 2011 the station provides direct services to London on weekdays provided by Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
(via Chester and Crewe
Crewe railway station
Crewe railway station was completed in 1837 and is one of the most historic railway stations in the world. Built in fields near to Crewe Hall, it originally served the village of Crewe with a population of just 70 residents...
).
Wrexham and Shropshire's operational headquarters and train depot were located in the station.
Planning permission has been granted for further development at the station, to include a new cafe and taxi rank.
It was announced in November 2008 that the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
would fund work on rail infrastructure between Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
and Chester
Chester
Chester is a city in Cheshire, England. Lying on the River Dee, close to the border with Wales, it is home to 77,040 inhabitants, and is the largest and most populous settlement of the wider unitary authority area of Cheshire West and Chester, which had a population of 328,100 according to the...
; this would allow increased express services from north to south Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
on this congested section of the line. This might see the currently single track section to Saltney Junction restored to double track operation, however the results of recent studies into the improvements has revealed a double track solution would be too costly as two structures crossing the A483 road are built to single track standard, and dynamic loops
Passing loop
A passing loop is a place on a single line railway or tramway, often located at a station, where trains or trams in opposing directions can pass each other. Trains/trams in the same direction can also overtake, providing that the signalling arrangement allows it...
are more realistic.
In June 2011, construction began on the increased access for disabled people to platform four. The existing footbridge between platforms three and four was removed in preparation for the construction of a new footbridge which would include an elevator
Elevator
An elevator is a type of vertical transport equipment that efficiently moves people or goods between floors of a building, vessel or other structures...
on Platform four. This will negate the use of the road bridge for disabled access to platform four. The new bridge will be built to modern standards but in a style sympathising with the rest of the station design.
Services
Wrexham General Station is used for a number of main line services travelling via Wrexham. For example the Holyhead to Cardiff route, the Wrexham to London route (via Chester, the west coast main line) and the Holyhead to Birmingham route.Inter-city services operate to Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester and London.
Arriva Trains Wales
- Borderlands LineBorderlands LineThe Borderlands Line is the railway line between Wrexham, Wales, and Bidston, Wirral, England.Passenger train services are operated by Arriva Trains Wales between Wrexham Central and Bidston. Trains run every hour Monday to Saturday daytime, every two hours after 18:45 and on Sundays...
from Wrexham CentralWrexham Central railway stationWrexham Central railway station is the smaller of two main railway stations serving the central area of Wrexham in Wales. The platform can accommodate a three car diesel train, but has room for platform extension...
to BidstonBidston railway stationBidston railway station is a railway station in Bidston, Birkenhead, on the Wirral, England. It is situated at the junction of the West Kirby branch of the Wirral Line with the Borderlands Line from Wrexham Central .-History:The station was originally built by the Hoylake Railway in 1866 as an...
operated by class 150 sprinter units - North-South Wales Main LineShrewsbury to Chester LineThe Shrewsbury to Chester Line, also known as the Severn–Dee Line , was built in 1846 as the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway...
From to including Newport, ChesterChester railway stationChester railway station is a railway station in Newtown in the city of Chester, England. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales, although Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains also run services from the station. It is situated to the north-east of the city centre...
and BangorBangor railway stationBangor railway station may refer to:*Bangor railway station, Northern Ireland*Bangor railway station...
with some south bound services continuing to MaestegMaestegMaesteg is a town and community in Bridgend County Borough, Wales. Maesteg lies at the northernmost end of the Llynfi Valley, close to the border with Neath Port Talbot. In 2001, Maesteg had a population of 17,859, but it is now at an estimate of 20,000....
operated by class 175 coradia units - Birmingham International-HolyheadShrewsbury to Chester LineThe Shrewsbury to Chester Line, also known as the Severn–Dee Line , was built in 1846 as the Shrewsbury and Chester Railway...
including WolverhamptonWolverhampton railway stationWolverhampton railway station in Wolverhampton, West Midlands is on the West Coast Main Line. It is served by London Midland, CrossCountry, Virgin Trains and Arriva Trains Wales.-History:...
and ShrewsburyShrewsbury railway stationShrewsbury railway station is the railway station serving Shrewsbury, county town of Shropshire, England. It is the only remaining railway station in the town; Shrewsbury Abbey, as well as other small stations around the town, having long closed. The station was built in 1848 and has been extended...
operated by class 158 express sprinter units - Shrewsbury to Wrexham, Arriva operate a small number of services from Shrewsbury, terminating at Wrexham, and from Wrexham to Shrewsbury. One service each way on weekdays. This is used to connect Shrewsbury, and stations between Shrewsbury and Wrexham, to the Wrexham-London route operated by Virgin Trains. This is operated by Class 150 sprinter units
- Welsh Marches LineWelsh Marches LineThe Welsh Marches Line , known historically as the North and West Route, is the railway line running from Newport in south-east Wales to Shrewsbury in the West Midlands region of England by way of Abergavenny, Hereford and Craven Arms, and thence to Crewe via Whitchurch...
is operated twice a day via Wrexham from to Manchester Piccadilly operated by class 175s or class 158s - In March 2011, Arriva announced that it intended to run a further locomotive hauled North to South premier service, offering cooked meals and first class accommodation, leaving approximately two hours later than the original service, leaving holyhead at 0751, with the return service leaving Cardiff at 1818. This service would call at Holyhead, Bangor, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Rhyl, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Newport and Cardiff Central. This service is set to commence in early May 2011 using 175 DMUs, and will run as a loco hauled service from December 2011 onwards. Arriva plan to lease stock similar to that WSMR used between Wrexham and London, Class 67 and DVT sets.
Trains run hourly to Bidston, Holyhead (via Chester) and Shrewsbury and two-hourly to Birmingham and Cardiff and on weekdays and Saturdays. There is a two-hourly service on Sundays to Chester and Birmingham and six services to Bidston.
Wrexham & Shropshire (now withdrawn)
- London Marylebone-Wrexham via , and Tame Bridge ParkwayTame Bridge Parkway railway stationTame Bridge Parkway is a railway station in the north of the borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands, England, close to the boundary with Walsall. The station is operated by London Midland. It is situated on the Walsall Line north of Birmingham New Street, part of the former Grand Junction...
.
This service ended on Friday 28 January 2011 due to a continuing loss made by the company.
At their peak Wrexham & Shropshire ran five trains per day each way Monday to Saturday and three on Sundays.
Virgin Trains
- Virgin TrainsVirgin TrainsVirgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. It operates long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and Scotland...
operate one daily service which departs at 07:00 to London Euston calling at ChesterChester railway stationChester railway station is a railway station in Newtown in the city of Chester, England. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales, although Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains also run services from the station. It is situated to the north-east of the city centre...
, CreweCrewe railway stationCrewe railway station was completed in 1837 and is one of the most historic railway stations in the world. Built in fields near to Crewe Hall, it originally served the village of Crewe with a population of just 70 residents...
, RugbyRugby railway stationRugby railway station serves the town of Rugby in Warwickshire, England. It opened during the Victorian era, in 1885, replacing earlier stations situated a little further west...
, Milton KeynesMilton Keynes Central railway stationMilton Keynes Central railway station serves Central Milton Keynes and the surrounding area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The station is located on the West Coast Main Line between the stations of Bletchley and Wolverton, both of which are also within Milton Keynes. The station is served by...
and London Euston arriving at 09:38. At Chester, this service attaches to the 05:53 service from HolyheadHolyhead railway stationHolyhead railway station serves the town of Holyhead on Holy Island, Anglesey. It is the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line and is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, although Virgin Trains also serves it....
, which will then depart as a combined service at 07:35. This service is operated by Class 221 SuperVoyager unitsBritish Rail Class 221The Class 221 Super Voyager is a class of British diesel-electric multiple-unit express trains built by Bombardier Transportation between 2001 and 2002, entering service on 12 April 2002....
.
It is unclear whether further services will be introduced now the open-access operator Wrexham and Shropshire has withdrawn services.
Normal Service Pattern
Arriva Trains Wales- 1tph to Bidston via Shotton
- 1tph to Wrexham Central
- 1tph to Holyhead (or Manchester Piccadilly at Weekends and Evenings)
- 1tph to Shrewsbury with:
- 1tp2h continuing to Cardiff Central with some extending to Maesteg or Carmarthen
- 1tp2h continuing to Birmingham International via Birmingham New Street
- 1tpd Premier express service to Cardiff Central
- 1tpd Premier express service to Holyhead
Virgin Trains (Mon-Fri only)
- 1tpd to London Euston via Crewe
Evenings and Sundays
In the evenings and sundays there is a slightly different pattern of service, all operated by Arriva Trains Wales- 1tp2h to Bidston
- 1tp2h to Wrexham Central
- 2tph to Shrewsbury with 1tp2h extending to Wolverhampton and Birmingham and 1tph to Hereford and South Wales
- 2tph to Chester with 1tph extending to Manchester Piccadilly and a small number to Holyhead
Facilities and further passenger information
- Self service ticket machines are available
- Ticket hall with counters for ticket purchase and information points is available
- A shop and Cafe selling magazines, drinks and simple hot and cold food is available
- All platforms have monitors showing the next three trains to depart or terminate are in use
- All platforms have announcements
- There is a taxi rank at this station
- Regular buses call at this station
- There is a large pay and display car park at this station
- There are three entrances/exits to the station, one via the main ticket hall. Another on platform one near the overpass. The third is located on Mold road, connecting to platform 4
- Disabled access to whole station
- Lifts to all platforms via main over pass
- All regular north and south bound long distance trains have at seat or buffet car catering
- Waiting rooms are located on the island platforms
- This station is covered by a roof
- Regular BTP security checks are carried out throughout this station
- No passenger trains currently call at platforms 5 and 6, these are just used for the stabling of trains
Layout
Wrexham General comprises six platforms. Two bay platforms at the southern end of Platform 1 have recently been refurbished after decades of disuse. These were used for trains to via the Ruabon BarmouthRuabon Barmouth Line
The Ruabon to Barmouth Line was a standard gauge branch line of the Great Western Railway across the north of Wales which connected Ruabon, in the east, with Barmouth on the west coast.-Connections:...
line until the 1960s. They are now used for Wrexham and Shropshire services to London and overnight stabling of trains. Platforms 1 and 2 are on the main to line, platform 3 being on an island platform opposite 2; and platform 4, until the mid-1980s a separate former Great Central Railway
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway was a railway company in England which came into being when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897 in anticipation of the opening in 1899 of its London Extension . On 1 January 1923, it was grouped into the London and North Eastern...
station named Wrexham Exchange, was on the ex-Ellesmere to Bidston line, now the Wrexham to Bidston Borderlands Line
Borderlands Line
The Borderlands Line is the railway line between Wrexham, Wales, and Bidston, Wirral, England.Passenger train services are operated by Arriva Trains Wales between Wrexham Central and Bidston. Trains run every hour Monday to Saturday daytime, every two hours after 18:45 and on Sundays...
. Platform 5, once opposite and on the same route as platform 4, became disused when the line was singled, however in 2008 it has been re-surfaced and is now a private parking space.
- Platform 1 can accommodate a 10 car train, and is used for long distance southbound intercity passenger services to ShrewsburyShrewsbury railway stationShrewsbury railway station is the railway station serving Shrewsbury, county town of Shropshire, England. It is the only remaining railway station in the town; Shrewsbury Abbey, as well as other small stations around the town, having long closed. The station was built in 1848 and has been extended...
, and onwards to Birmingham InternationalBirmingham International railway stationBirmingham International railway station is located in the borough of Solihull, just east of the city of Birmingham in England.The station is on the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line 14 km east of Birmingham New Street and serves both Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition...
(via Telford CentralTelford Central railway stationTelford Central railway station serves the new town of Telford, England. It is situated close to the town centre, the main commercial district of the town...
) or Cardiff CentralCardiff Central railway stationCardiff Central railway station is a major railway station on the South Wales Main Line in Cardiff, Wales.It is the largest and busiest station in Wales and one of the major stations of the British rail network, the tenth busiest station in the United Kingdom outside of London , based on 2007/08...
, operated by Arriva Trains Wales, and for services terminating at Wrexham from Chester and London Euston. - Platform 2 can accommodate a 10 car train, and is used for regular northbound passenger inter city and regional services to ChesterChester railway stationChester railway station is a railway station in Newtown in the city of Chester, England. It is currently operated by Arriva Trains Wales, although Merseyrail, Northern Rail and Virgin Trains also run services from the station. It is situated to the north-east of the city centre...
and services onwards to the North Wales CoastNorth Wales Coast LineThe North Wales Coast Line is the railway line from Crewe to Holyhead. Virgin Trains consider their services along it to be a spur of the West Coast Main Line. The first section from Crewe to Chester was built by the Chester and Crewe Railway and absorbed by the Grand Junction Railway shortly...
line to HolyheadHolyhead railway stationHolyhead railway station serves the town of Holyhead on Holy Island, Anglesey. It is the western terminus of the North Wales Coast Line and is managed by Arriva Trains Wales, although Virgin Trains also serves it....
and for services to Manchester Piccadilly via Chester and Runcorn, operated by Arriva Trains Wales. Inter city Services to London Euston (via Chester and Crewe) are also provided on this platform by Virgin Trains. - Platform 3 can accommodate a 7 car train, and was used for regular passenger services to London MaryleboneMarylebone stationMarylebone station , also known as London Marylebone, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. It stands midway between the mainline stations at Euston and Paddington, about 1 mile from each...
via Shrewsbury, Telford Central and Tame Bridge, operated by Wrexham & Shropshire. This platform is now used by a small number of Borderlands Line passenger services (usually the first northbound and last southbound train each day), for services terminating at Wrexham from Shrewsbury and for freight services changing between the Shrewsbury-Chester line and the Borderlands line. - Platform 4 can only hold a single coach train, and is used for regular branch line passenger services northbound to BidstonBidston railway stationBidston railway station is a railway station in Bidston, Birkenhead, on the Wirral, England. It is situated at the junction of the West Kirby branch of the Wirral Line with the Borderlands Line from Wrexham Central .-History:The station was originally built by the Hoylake Railway in 1866 as an...
, and to Wrexham CentralWrexham Central railway stationWrexham Central railway station is the smaller of two main railway stations serving the central area of Wrexham in Wales. The platform can accommodate a three car diesel train, but has room for platform extension...
in the opposite direction, operated by Arriva Trains Wales. - Platforms 5 and 6 are south facing bay platforms and are only used when Platform 3 is unavailable to accommodate south bound trains starting/terminating at Wrexham.
Merseyrail are currently in negotiations with network rail and a number of other companies to upgrade the Halton curve, a secton of the Liverpool branch of the West Coast Mainline which connects to Chester, in order to start direct services to Liverpool Lime Street via Chester and Runcorn.
Infrastructure improvements
On 28 April 2008, Ieuan Wyn JonesIeuan Wyn Jones
Ieuan Wyn Jones, AM is a Welsh politician, who was the Deputy First Minister in the Welsh Assembly Government from 2007 until 2011. Jones is the current leader of Plaid Cymru and Member of the National Assembly for Wales for the Ynys Môn constituency...
AM, the Deputy First Minister for Wales
Deputy First Minister for Wales
The Deputy First Minister for Wales can be the deputy leader of the Welsh Government, the devolved administration for Wales. The post was created October 2000 when Mike German of the Welsh Liberal Democrats was appointed Deputy First Minister as part of a coalition government with Welsh Labour...
opened a new Wrexham Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
depot. It consisted of the refurbishment of two terminal bay platforms to the south of the station for overnight stabling of trains and the construction of a crew depot. The development was opened to coincide with the start of services from Wrexham General to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
by Wrexham and Shropshire, who utilised the depot until services to London Marylebone stopped in January 2011.
From February 2009 a cafe has opened on the station in formerly empty office space.