New London train service launched

A new train service linking Walsall with London was launched today, forging the first direct route from the borough to the capital since the 1970s.

But a broken-down engine meant passengers were left waiting for almost an hour for the train to arrive at Tame Bridge Parkway. Engineers had to carry out emergency repairs after the leading engine broke down in Wellington near Telford.

Workmen swapped the back engine with the front one and the train was expected to make the rest of the journey running on just one loco.

Will Davies, financial director of Wrexham and Shropshire Railways, who is running the service, said this morning's delay was unavoidable.

"Unfortunately the engine broke down and it needed repairing," he said.

"It is very rare for something like this to happen, particularly with our trains, but we repaired it and it's on its way."

The service, running five times a day through the week as well as four times on Saturday and three on Sunday, starts at Wrexham and go via Tame Bridge Parkway all the way to London Marylebone.

The rail operator can only drop off passengers in Wolverhampton rather than pick them up as Virgin Trains own the contract over train pick-ups to London.

The return service from London Marylebone to Wrexham will pick up people from Wolverhampton, with journey times from London to the Black Country due to take approximately two hours 50 minutes.

Some trains will also stop at Birmingham International.

Colin Wilkinson, 63, from Walsall Pensioners' Convention was also at the station, ready to travel down to Banbury. He said: "We were planning to go to London but because of the delay we've had to change our plans."

Peak time tickets cost between £44 to £60, with off peak travel starting from £36.