TFW will introduce new timetables on 15 December 2024. The basic structure of the timetable remains the same but there are many small changes to the times, and it is important to check with their timetables before travel.
TfW told us this month that they intend to employ loco hauled coaches between Manchester and Cardiff on a two hourly service. Also we are to expect 3 and 5 car services on the other intercity services.
TfW unhelpfully say: There will be some changes to the calling patterns of some of the services along this route and many services have been significantly retimed.
We have identified these main points:
Weekdays and Saturdays are very similar. Sundays are unchanged and disappointingly offer a very basic service.
There are two additional northbound weekday and Saturday morning services stopping all stations leaving Shrewsbury at 06.19 and 09.54.
There are four additional southbound Saturday morning services leaving Crewe at 06.38, 08.10, 10.10 and 12.10. The first one is all stations, the others are limited stops.
The weekday 07.30 from Manchester (Crewe at 08.10) will now stop at Nantwich (08.18) and Whitchurch (08.28). This is good for Shrewsbury commuter. CASPA has campaigned for this in the past and we are delighted that these stops are reinstated. There was considerable uproar when they were removed!
The morning northbound weekday commuting services to Manchester are unchanged. The 05.31 from Shrewsbury to Crewe still has a connection at Crewe to go on to Manchester. The returning services leaving Manchester 16.30 and 18.30 will have an additional stop at Nantwich. (We have been campaigning for this for many years.)
The last stopping train from Manchester on Monday to Saturdays is still regrettably at 22.33.
CASPA members have analysed the timetables, to produced this detail. It is not available elsewhere.
There are no pdf files available from TfW as yet as they say they have been delayed due to a few late notice amendments. We have generated these from the Network Rail web site as typical. The usual warnings apply.
