Wrexham & Shropshire, the new train company that will run a direct rail service between North Wales, Shropshire and London Marylebone from spring 2008, is today one step closer to launching its new rail service.

A vital part of the workforce – new train drivers – this week joined Wrexham & Shropshire’s Managing Director, Andy Hamilton, at Wrexham General Station to kick off their training.  For the first time, the company’s new staff uniform was also on show.

The 13 new recruits all have wide-ranging driver experience within the rail industry.  Over the coming weeks they will undergo a comprehensive training programme to ensure that they are familiar with the trains that are currently being refurbished to exacting standards, as well as the routes.  The training will also equip them with the necessary practical and safety skills required on the job. 

Andy Czerniakiewicz, one of the drivers being trained, said: “I’ve been working as a train driver in the UK for over 20 years, but am really looking forward to starting work with a brand new rail company that will offer passengers fast, direct trains from North Wales and Shropshire to London.”

Andy Hamilton, Managing Director of Wrexham & Shropshire, said: “The start of driver training is an important milestone in the development of our rail service.  We’re still on track for a spring launch and look forward to welcoming passengers onto one of our 5 weekday services soon.”