A Wrexham & Shropshire Train set of newly refurbished coaches now undergoing operational test-running

News and Press Releases

Renaissance Trains is regularly featured in the news and responds to industry consultations. Below are some of the most recent news stories about us, as well as a full archive from previous years.

View Year: 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006


When a high carbon footprint becomes as socially unacceptable as smoking

10/11/08

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main man-made contributor to climate change. Transport – particularly road transport – is a major source of CO2 emissions. The transport sector accounts for approximately 30 per cent of global CO2 emissions. Peter Wilkinson, managing director of First Class Partnerships, considers the issues.

Download the full article as a pdf file. (480KB pdf)
Eurostar train and staff




Calls for more operators on Channel Tunnel as Eurostar services boom

30/07/08

More competition through the Channel Tunnel and in cross-European rail services will be crucial to preserving affordable travel in Europe, says Renaissance Trains Director Peter Wilkinson. Steve Broadbent writes for Rail magazine.

Download the full article as a pdf file. (2133KB pdf)
Curtesy of Rail Magazine.
Eurostar train and staff




Renaissance Railman

02/07/08

After his investigation into East Coast open access aspirations, Steve Broadbent of Rail magazine examines similar plans elsewhere – in particular, the bold strategy of Renaissance Trains, the company behind the new Wrexham to London link.

Download the full article as a pdf file. (7358KB pdf)
Curtesy of Rail Magazine.
WSMR in RAIL Magazine




Wrexham & Shropshire to launch service on 28th April

02/04/08

Wrexham & Shropshire’s new direct train service to London will start on Monday 28 April, offering passengers five trains a day in each direction between stations from Wrexham, through Shropshire and on to London Marylebone.

The announcement comes after the company received its safety certificate and formal operating licence from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

Andy Hamilton, Managing Director at Wrexham & Shropshire, said: "We’re delighted to announce that we will be running trains from the end of this month and look forward to welcoming passengers on board."

Wrexham & Shropshire’s trains are currently being refitted to exacting standards by a specialist firm in Stoke-on-Trent. The refurbished trains will offer passengers a modern, comfortable travelling environment once completed this summer. In the meantime, to allow leisure and business travellers to take advantage of the new service as soon as possible, the company is hiring trains for use from 28 April for the first few months of operation.

Andy Hamilton continues: "We’ve had tremendous support for our new rail service and have been working non-stop to get ready for the launch. I’m sure people will support our decision to use good quality hire trains until our own ones are ready – especially as it means we can launch the service earlier."

Wrexham & Shropshire will announce details of its range of value-for-money fares – and how and where people can buy tickets – in the next couple of weeks.


Download the full Wrexham & Shropshire press release. (55KB pdf)
WSMR DVT




Renaissance Trains looks at the case for restoring direct services between London and Blackpool

30/03/08

Renaissance Trains is investigating the financial and economic case for providing direct services between Blackpool and London. One of the options being investigated is to use a route that would potentially stop at Walsall and Liverpool South Parkway. The company believes that the rail industry has overlooked the importance of these destinations and the demand for rail travel between them. Blackpool is no longer merely a town of one short if brightly illuminated season, it is today a centre for business and political conferences, exhibitions a tremendous all year round leisure and holiday destination and enjoys a wider area that has seen great investment in creating an environment that people now seek out for all sorts of sport activity, active or restful holidays, entertainment and business activity.
Renaissance Trains looks at the case for restoring direct services between London and Blackpool




Renaissance Trains welcomes timing of Deutsche Bahn Acquisition of Laing Rail

21/01/08

Renaissance Trains – 50% Joint Venture partners with Laing Rail in WSMR (Holdings) – welcomes today’s announcement that Deutsche Bahn (DB) has acquired John Laing plc’s rail interests. WSMR is the Holding Company that has recently obtained the approval of the Office of Rail Regulation to become only the third Open Access passenger train operator in the UK. Mike Jones, A Director of Renaissance Trains said: "The change in ownership of Laing Rail is welcomed at this stage in the development of WSMR because it provides certainty".

The new train company, known as Wrexham & Shropshire, is currently hard at work putting in place the arrangements to commence operations in the Spring of this year and the timing of this acquisition will provide fresh impetus to the company’s launch. Mr. Jones continued: "DB has an excellent reputation as a highly effective railway operator and we have no doubt that as a partner in developing Wrexham & Shropshire it will bring huge experience to bear. Its ownership of the company from which Wrexham & Shropshire is hiring its locomotives and which is also refurbishing its coaches will help smooth service implementation, building on the excellent relationship Wrexham & Shropshire has already established with its supplier, EWS".
Renaissance Trains looks at the case for restoring direct services between London and Blackpool